Verbally abusive neighbor striking again

[Anonymous]

Tell the boy he's doing a great job and slip him the phone number for a teen hotline. Hearning a counterpoint to the abuse can be helpful.

[Anonymous]

I remember you posting last year. I can't believe this has been going on a full 12 months behind closed doors.

How old is the kid?

[Anonymous]

If the kid doesn't feel this is abuse, and you call police/CPS and nothing can be done and/or the abuse/emotional toll worsens, everything gets worse.

[Anonymous]

tell the kid he's doing such a great job mowing the lawn that you'd like to pay him to mow yours. and "it's ok, stepdad, I'll keep an eye on him."

[Anonymous]

Confront the step dad and take the bully down.

[Anonymous]

OP you should post the address and general days and times, we could form a DCUM flash mob, turn up with signs that say "stop bullying the kid" and just stare at him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Confront the step dad and take the bully down.

So he goes home to beat the kid’s a** because of it.
Don’t do this OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stay out of it. It's awful but he's not physically abusing the kid, so CPS will do nothing.

Emotional and mental abuse is abuse too. Probably more damaging than physical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stay out of it. It's awful but he's not physically abusing the kid, so CPS will do nothing.

Emotional and mental abuse is abuse too. Probably more damaging than physical.

That doesn’t mean cps does anything.

[Anonymous]

Get a large, strong male friend to tell the bully to knock it off, if you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself. Or have someone go with you. Bullies usually fold like a deck of cards when challenged.

That poor boy needs to know that someone sees him and will help him.

[Anonymous]

Doing nothing out of fear that it will get worse for him if you intervene is poor logic. You don’t know how bad it is already behind closed doors. You also have no reason to believe that the step dad will take it out on the kid if he is challenged.

It is NEVER wrong to stand up for someone who is being abused and doesn’t have the power to do it themselves.

[Anonymous]

As a victim of abuse, if bystanders don't do or say anything then you question whether it really is abuse. So letting the child know that you see what is happening and that it is not normal is already doing something helpful. I don’t know what would be the best way for you to communicate that. Perhaps one day you can bring him a glass of lemonade and talk to him briefly. Or you can ask him to mow your lawn for a fee.

And the grandparents should not be let off the hook. When this man and child are not there, you need to knock on the door and tell the grandparents that what you are seeing is inappropriate and that they need to intervene. Call it what it is- child abuse- and let them know that you are contemplating calling the police the next time you witness it.

[Anonymous]

Around how old is the kid?

What exactly is the stepdad saying? Is he saying - “you suck at cutting grass!” Or “You are doing it all wrong!” Or “pay attention you knucklehead!”

Or is he insulting the boy- You piece of sh*t, you are lazy and good for nothing!

[Anonymous]

OP what is the step dad saying/yelling? Can you give us examples?
Agree that you should start by talking to your neighbor and letting them know that the stepdad is disturbing the peace and verbally abusing a child, and that you will call the police the next time you witness it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a victim of abuse, if bystanders don't do or say anything then you question whether it really is abuse. So letting the child know that you see what is happening and that it is not normal is already doing something helpful. I don’t know what would be the best way for you to communicate that. Perhaps one day you can bring him a glass of lemonade and talk to him briefly. Or you can ask him to mow your lawn for a fee.

And the grandparents should not be let off the hook. When this man and child are not there, you need to knock on the door and tell the grandparents that what you are seeing is inappropriate and that they need to intervene. Call it what it is- child abuse- and let them know that you are contemplating calling the police the next time you witness it.

Agree with talking to the grandparents during the week. A friendly chat to express your concerns for the stepson. Are the elderly neighbors the parents of the stepdad or the mom?