Awkward situation with neighbor

[Anonymous]

I do not have time for neurotic parents. I live a few blocks from a commercial strip and often don’t plan errands ahead of time. If I got the sense that a parent was freaked out that I left a 6 year old with 14 year old for 20 minutes, I would prioritize other friendships for my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

But OP was at home. And these were six year olds, playing outside a few doors down from where OP was basically in shouting distance.

Why is this such a big deal? It would be different if this was a drop off play date, and OP came back to discover mom was gone. This was two neighborhood kids playing outside together being supervised by an older sibling.

[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.

They were drawing outside, weirdo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Agreed. People like to feign ignorance on DCUM it's not about if a 14-year-old is capable of babysitting. It's irrelevant if you were babysitting infants at 14. IT's also irrelevant if you would allow your 10-year-old to babysit. OP was under the impression that mom would have been in the house the entire time. Mom should have told OP she was leaving and her 16-year-old would be watching the kids, or told OP when the girl came over that she was planning on leaving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Agreed. People like to feign ignorance on DCUM it's not about if a 14-year-old is capable of babysitting. It's irrelevant if you were babysitting infants at 14. IT's also irrelevant if you would allow your 10-year-old to babysit. OP was under the impression that mom would have been in the house the entire time. Mom should have told OP she was leaving and her 16-year-old would be watching the kids, or told OP when the girl came over that she was planning on leaving.

A 14 year old IS perfectly capable of babysitting for such a short time, and it's completely relevant that OP's child was in good hands at all times. As for not letting OP know, the woman already apologized! So yes at this point OP should absolutely let it go, there's nothing else to be said at this point.

[Anonymous]

Goodness, you are seriously overreacting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Land that helicopter, OP! This is perfectly fine.

Don't worry as he won't be invited back nor will you.

[Anonymous]

I am the OP. Didn’t expect to get so flamed. Ha!

I wasn’t looking to start a conversation about whether or not 14 year olds should babysit. The point was that I was thrown off that she didn’t let me know she was leaving the house. She was embarrassed when she called which made the situation awkward. My text to her simply said “hey- just letting you know that I picked up DD.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the OP. Didn’t expect to get so flamed. Ha!

I wasn’t looking to start a conversation about whether or not 14 year olds should babysit. The point was that I was thrown off that she didn’t let me know she was leaving the house. She was embarrassed when she called which made the situation awkward. My text to her simply said “hey- just letting you know that I picked up DD.”

Right but you already said she apologized to you.

[Anonymous]

Not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

If it were a random 14 year old kid, no. I would need this be run by me. If it were their child who they are used to trust and they know their capacity, at this age siblings are very well capacitated for short supervisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the OP. Didn’t expect to get so flamed. Ha!

I wasn’t looking to start a conversation about whether or not 14 year olds should babysit. The point was that I was thrown off that she didn’t let me know she was leaving the house. She was embarrassed when she called which made the situation awkward. My text to her simply said “hey- just letting you know that I picked up DD.”

Because your text however innocent could be taken as passive agressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I definitely think you’re overreacting.

+1. If I were your neighbor I would peg you as neurotic and avoid arranging additional play dates.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the OP. Didn’t expect to get so flamed. Ha!

I wasn’t looking to start a conversation about whether or not 14 year olds should babysit. The point was that I was thrown off that she didn’t let me know she was leaving the house. She was embarrassed when she called which made the situation awkward. My text to her simply said “hey- just letting you know that I picked up DD.”

From now on the kids play at your house. Problem solved. Yes, she should have checked with you but she didn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I definitely think you’re overreacting.

I agree.