Awkward situation with neighbor

[Anonymous]

My oldest is 6 and I would have not been happy to find him in the care of anyone else besides the person I left him with....BUT I recognize that this probably isn't a big deal and I certainly wouldn't trash a friendship over it. It seems like she realizes she should have told you and you realize you over reacted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is 6 and I would have not been happy to find him in the care of anyone else besides the person I left him with....BUT I recognize that this probably isn't a big deal and I certainly wouldn't trash a friendship over it. It seems like she realizes she should have told you and you realize you over reacted.

Mostly +1

I don’t think you overreacted but since everything turned out OK you should do something, another play date, and help smooth things over.

[Anonymous]

Am I the only one not fully vaccinated and still understands there is a pandemic still going?

To be outright mean: I would be angry your neighbor ran to the store and exposed your child to a person who may or may not be in your bubble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I let my 6 year old play with a neighbor in their fenced in backyard. We live on the same side of street a couple houses up. I had a toddler napping at home so I told the mom that my DD could come play but I would need to stay at home. She said that was fine and said she would set the kids up with chalk. An hour later, my toddler wakes up and so we walk down to their house. I get there to discover that my DD and her 6 year old buddy are being supervised by a 14 year old sister while mom ran to the store. I was stunned. Don’t you think she would have called me to let me know she was leaving the house? We would not leave our kids with a 14 year old sitter.

I took my daughter home and texted the neighbor. She called me right away and apologized but I think she was more embarrassed that I find out. I suspect she was just running a quick errand and thought I wouldn’t ever know. Now things are just awkward between us and I feel like it’s on me to smooth it over for the sake of peace in the neighborhood. We see each other all the time, especially now that the weather is nicer. Would you let it go? Nothing left to be said right?

I’d let it go. They were outside playing and so mom decides to run to the store. Yes, nicer if she just called and asked if you were ok with her popping out for a bit but not worth getting upset over in the long- term if this is going to be the community your kids grow up in. Believe me lots of things between kids and misunderstandings among parents are going to happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eh I probably would be livid if it was my first child. Now that my kids are older, this would be no big deal.

There are a lot of parents who let kids wander the neighborhood alone. They were just in their backyard.

I remember texting mom that I had to go pick up my daughter from preschool and if it was ok to leave kids home for 15 min alone. She leaves her 11 yo home for errands all the time and was fine. Almost seemed to be surprised I would even ask.

Wow, I must be a chill first-time parent then. I had my 13yo niece babysitting for my 2yo!

[Anonymous]

I’m guessing the 14 yo sister watches the 6 yo regularly, and the mom just didn’t think about it before she ran out like she usually does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one not fully vaccinated and still understands there is a pandemic still going?

To be outright mean: I would be angry your neighbor ran to the store and exposed your child to a person who may or may not be in your bubble.

The sister of the playmate IS in the bubble already. And they were outside. This part is nbd

[Anonymous]

You sound really repellent, OP

[Anonymous]

Mom of teens here. That mom should have let you know she would be running to the store while your child was over playing. But a 14-year-old is old enough to kid sit.

I would tell her to let you know the next time she is planning to run an errand during a playtime. Invite their child over to play to make amends.

And always remember that you are in a stage of parenting. Your stage right now is early grade school and toddler. The other mom is is the teen years. You will be there before you know it, telling your now 6-year-old as a 14-year-old to watch your 10-year-old (now toddler) and her friend while you do something. And you'll be FINE with it. That day will arrive a lot faster than you think, so don't be quick to judge.

[Anonymous]

At 14 years old I babysat a family of 3 kids ranging in ages from 4-8 yrs old. Babysat them from 9-5 M-F all summer long for $100/week. I cooked lunch for them, took them for walks, swam in their pool with them. We all survived and they are now successful 30 somethings with their own kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eh I probably would be livid if it was my first child. Now that my kids are older, this would be no big deal.

There are a lot of parents who let kids wander the neighborhood alone. They were just in their backyard.

I remember texting mom that I had to go pick up my daughter from preschool and if it was ok to leave kids home for 15 min alone. She leaves her 11 yo home for errands all the time and was fine. Almost seemed to be surprised I would even ask.

Wow, I must be a chill first-time parent then. I had my 13yo niece babysitting for my 2yo!

Completely different situation. First, you know the babysitter personally. Second, it was your choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I definitely think you’re overreacting.

+1

+2 they are not infants or even toddlers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one not fully vaccinated and still understands there is a pandemic still going?

To be outright mean: I would be angry your neighbor ran to the store and exposed your child to a person who may or may not be in your bubble.

You’re crazy.

The girl’s sister lives with her. The mom left OP’s child with her daughter and her older sister.

[Anonymous]

Oh come on people. I myself was watching my younger siblings alone at home from 8-9 back in the day but it's not about that. The mom should have texted the OP to say her kid would be with the two 6 year old for a moment. Let OP decide if that was comfortable for her or not and she should get her kid back to the house.

[Anonymous]

Personally I think the other mother was being courteous by not bothering you over something minor when she knew you were home with a napping toddler and possibly napping/resting/relaxing yourself.