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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Did you say anything when the kid got inside your car? If not, why not? If so, what did you say?

That was the last straw, OP. Young kids inside cars can create a tragedy very quickly. Maybe one time you leave the keys in the ignition for a second and a kid gets in the car with the engine on and bumps the gear stick and it rolls. Or the kid is playing hide and seek using your momentarily open car (or your car with the door shut but unlocked--plenty of three-year olds could manage to open some car doors), you lock it remotely with the key fob, never seeing the kid there, and and it's hot, or cold, outside....You see where this is heading. If you missed the opportunity to tell the mom that the kid was IN your car and it's dangerous and can't happen again--I'm really sorry you missed that opening.

In our litigious world, if something happens to her kids on your property you could easily be legally liable. Some people don't believe that but depending on circumstances and locations, it's true.

You can't make them move nor can you call the cops on them--no police are going to come out because a parent is doing a lousy job (unless there is immediate danger or you witness actual abuse or can base a complaint on noise levels with the yelling--but the first thing the cops will ask is whether you have tried to resolve it face to face with her).

So: If you have a garage, use it religiously and never unload except inside your closed garage. Keep a close eye on the garage door in case a kid is inside. If you don't have one you'll have to be very careful with checking your car and locking it. A PP had a good idea about tethering the chairs to something they cannot move, and yes, you do need to become "that" neighbor who pops outside the instant they appear on your patio and says, "Sorry, it's not a place for you to play." Every single time even if you get sick of it. Send your DH out too to say the same. If you don't have a fence I'd look hard at getting one, though fencing in a front yard isn't really an option.

There are motion-sensor sprinklers and sound devices sold to help homeowners deter stray cats and dogs from coming onto lawns. That's a tempting option though these kids might think it was fun to dash around setting sprinklers off so...maybe the alarm horn version....[/quote]

Op here. The mom knew he was in the car. When I came back out of the house she was yelling at him from her porch to get out of the car. It was the younger kid and he just kept jumping around so she did come over and take him out. I was also telling him to get out of the car and not to play in the car. I didn't say much to her directly but she could see I was irritated. I don't have a garage. [/quote]

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