Anonymous
Post 05/30/2024 23:53     Subject: Verbally abusive neighbor striking again
Speak to the grandparents and tell them the man’s behavior is disruptive to the neighborhood at best and gives you reason to worry for the boy’s safety at worst. Ask if they worry as well. If they say no, comment “Interesting. Then for your sake I sure hope nothing ever happens because wow I’d feel so guilty not protecting my grandchild.” See if guilting them helps.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2024 06:54     Subject: Verbally abusive neighbor striking again
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I agree with calling CPS. And call the police when it happens. Maybe a cruiser coming by with a noise complaint will shut him up next to your house. Anyone could have called.

The police know who calls, or at least the numbers, and that info can be foia’d.
If you say you want to be anonymous the name/number should not be put into the call notes and can not be foia’d. Also it’s not super easy to do a foia request. It’s a lengthy process. Dispatcher.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2024 06:50     Subject: Verbally abusive neighbor striking again
Omg I’d go over there and tell him to stop yelling and bullying the kid and that CPS HAS already been called.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2024 06:40     Subject: Verbally abusive neighbor striking again
Bake cookies and bring them over with your husband when he’s yelling? Make some conversation to hopefully avoid further yelling during the mow? Sorry OP, really tough situation.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2024 06:29     Subject: Verbally abusive neighbor striking again
did you try to talk to the mother OP? that seems to be a much more logical thing to do rather than calling CPS.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2024 06:27     Subject: Verbally abusive neighbor striking again
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember, but I feel like I posted last summer about our elderly neighbors who have their grass cut by their grandson, and the whole time the boy cuts the lawn, the stepfather of the boy stands and watches and verbally abuses the boy. The elderly neighbor is aware and I did sort of casually confronted them last summer about it saying something like, “stepdad sure is a harsh critic” and they replied that they know, that’s what he’s like, and laughed it off, so they are aware.

He’s cut the grass twice now and both times, even with my windows closed, the dad can be heard shouting such horrible insults at the boy OVER the lawnmower. I can only imagine what he says behind closed doors. I can’t listen to this every weekend all summer again this year and just say nothing. You all advised me to deal with it because it will only make it worse to confront the man, but will it? How can I stand by and listen to this abuse? What do I do?


oh man, that is tough! I feel like it affects not only his son but you too since you are hearing it consistently. Is there a way to inform mom is my first instinct but in a way that is discreet?

She’s there, too! They have family dinner every weekend after the lawn is cut. If I can hear it, I know she can. She fully knows.


Is there a way to film it and post it anonymously on Nextdoor? The only thing that might work is public shaming. Bullies who pick on children will only stop if they are publicly made to answer for their behavior
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2024 06:12     Subject: Re:Verbally abusive neighbor striking again
Anonymous wrote:
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.


It works in the movies.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2024 05:35     Subject: Verbally abusive neighbor striking again
Anonymous wrote:This is a typical type of hazing blue collar men do to boys. It's to build grit.

Stay out of it.


The stepdad has found the thread.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2024 05:34     Subject: Verbally abusive neighbor striking again
Anonymous wrote: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.


Where I’m from some big burly dad would have grabbed that bully by the neck and threatened him. I’m not saying it’s right but it’s effective.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2024 05:32     Subject: Verbally abusive neighbor striking again
Anonymous wrote:Call the police for a wellness check.

Say you’re hearing a dad scream abuse at his child and you’re worried it’s about to turn physical.

Then call again every time you hear it.

If he scares you he probably scares the child too. Get a ring camera. If the stepdad threatens you, then you can get a restraining order. The child has no options. You do.


Except that what's to stop the dad from retaliating against the kid for the OP's calling the cops on him? I see parenting that I consider suboptimal but to call CPS my threshold would be higher than what OP described. Foster care is no picnic either.