My neighbors are insane

[foxglove1]

My son had a few rough moments last year when the new neighbors moved in ... he and the new boy didn't get along very well.

The background of this family is that the father and this woman (Debbie) met online about 3 years ago, he flew out here from MN to meet her, they hit it off and he moved himself and his two kids out here to live with her and her two kids. They're not married, and according to his kids, she treats her own children much differently than she treats his kids. She's also a Bushie <snort>

There are 3 bedrooms in the house ... the "parents" have one room, the woman's oldest daughter (16) has another bedroom, and the other 2 girls (his: 16 and hers: 10) sleep in the other bedroom. The son sleeps in the unfinished basement!!

At some point last summer, the new boy threw two big plastic cups filled with some sort of white stuff into our swimming pool. The father brought his son over to confess (it was hand lotion) but not before we had called the police and local health officials to try and find out what this substance was, and because at the time we didn't know it was a childish prank. We thought it might have been some kind of lethal substance (terra-ism, dontcha know). The child apologized, and we forgave, and that was the end. Or so we thought.

Now, a year later, the boys are friends, but for some reason, the parents don't like them over in our yard. We figured it was because their son vandalized our pool and they were embarrassed.

But yesterday totally weirded me out. My son asked me if the boy and his sister could go in our pool. I said yes, of course. Then they said their "stepmother" had told them they couldn't go in our pool because Mike's mother (me) is 1) crazy; 2) out of her mind; and 3) a terrorist (WTF??)

The boy called the woman at work and I spoke to her. First of all, I had to say hello 3 times before she would even answer me back (I thought we had been disconnected). Then she spoke very patronizingly to me as I told her that the kids wanted to go swimming, and she informed me that she didn't want the kids in the pool unless an adult was there. I told her that myself and my neighbor would be in the pool also, and she said that they didn't want the kids in the pool until they got home. I asked her what time she gets home and she said "4 pm". I said, "Oh ok, then the kids can go swimming after you get home." She replied, "Weeellll, we'll see." The entire exchange was very snooty on her part, and as for me, old firebreath, I was sweet as sugar to her.

Then the parents got home, the kids went in to talk to them, and then they came out and said that now they aren't even allowed to come in our yard AT ALL. WTF? Maybe they're nuts ... maybe the "mother" doesn't like all the bumper stickers on our truck. Maybe she doesn't like the large peace sign and poster of the Bill of Rights on our front door with the caption "GOT DEMOCRACY?" Maybe she's just a prissy bitch

Truth to tell, I couldn't give a shit if someone meets me and doesn't like me ... but I have NEVER talked to this woman, not even to say hello ... and for her to say I'm a terrorist is just beyond the fargin' pale. I'm pissed

Sue

[XanaDUer]

1. Sadly, the kids will pay

for the parents' nonsense, but, it may be for the best they keep to themselves. Cannot make people like you.

If they don't want the kids over, than that's it. Sometimes, people are actually nastier to you *after* they have done something rotten to you (the hand-lotion incident).

They may also be nuts, btw, so avoiding them is best.

I have had some nutso neighbors myself, and can sympathize.

[molly]

2. Go over - knock on her door and ask her for a few

minutes of her time. Ask her politely (as you can) if there is a problem. She'll probably hmmm and hawww and look down - she's a coward - keep that in mind. Then tell her that you are concerned about the boy and have done everything in your power to help because he obviously is filled with a lot of anger. (He acts out) Then tell her that you are very happy that your son and the boy are friends. Do not let on that the kids squealed on her. Ask her point blank why they were not allowed in your pool.

[Droopy]

3. Ah, to hell with it

I wouldn't worry about it too much. She sounds like she's being petty and holding a grudge. I wouldn't stoop to her level by doing the same.

It must really suck being a kid in her family.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. You're not alone.

Hang in there. Because of our children, we're forced to socialize with people we would otherwise ignore and the results are sometimes disasterous.

[Maddy McCall]

5. Does your son have other friends with similar ideology to yours?

That would be your safest bet, to invite children with parents similar to you to spend time at your house.

If this woman is as hostile as she appears (passive aggressively speaking, of course), then you would be best to avoid liability by even allowing the kids over.

I wouldn't confront the woman...just let it go. Invest your time and energy, and that of your own kid, in more promising prospects.

Just my .02. I have been there, oh have I been there, and everyone is much happier and less on guard when little guests are visiting with parental approval instead of parental suspicion and hostility.

jchild

[latebloomer]

7. good points!

You could be asking for trouble getting any more involved with this family-- the woman sounds crazy and bigoted and the kids undoubtedly have problems. She could indeed wind up harming you in some way, and her stepson could be a bad influence on your son, what with all the dysfunction there.

[Kamika]

6. Thats tragic

I mean how can people go around thinking just because they are anti bush they are terrorists??

Its tragic.

And yeah as you said you shouldnt give a shit, their son will probably end up really messed up anyway. Your son is probably better off not hangin with him.

I mean wtf he throw lotion in your pool ?

[Lars39]

8. If she's that hostile to you, you might want to think twice about letting

your son go over there. We only found out about our "crazy neighbor's"
drug use after the police came and arrested her. I was on her shyte list because I objected to her son shooting bottle rockets from an upstairs window onto our car, and to personal threats he made to one of my children.

[BiggJawn]

9. Life's too short...

Why bother? They'll probably be gone in a year or two.

Good, "moral" ReTHUGlican people...And they're living together without "benefit of clergy" (no big deal to me, but the Cons seem to think highly of it.Usually.)

she pobably tells her kids that you "hate America" and they come over out of morbid curiousity.

[davsand]

10. You "lib-ruls" are just Godless Communists!

Sounds like the woman has her nose out of joint bcause you are outspoken about your politics. I'm gonna sound harsh here, but F%$# her and the horse she rode in on. It'd be one thing if you'd been arrested for trafficking in child slaves, but it sounds like you guys are pretty upstanding folks.

Thing that really peeves me is that you just KNOW that if the kids are together over there something will be said to your kid about you sooner or later. I hope you'll talk to them before it happens.

Laura

[peacefreak]

11. Don't let the crazies get the best of you.

Even if Priss Mom doesn't like you, the kids may be picking up another point of view from you. It's important for them to know that not everyone thinks alike. That's what a democracy is supposed to be.
If it's any consolation, I'd be pleased to have you for a neighbor (with or without pool!):hi:

[Wcross]

12. Ah Suburbia, how typical.

I have but one problem with my neighbors. They are always hanging out by the road with absolutly no modesty. They never wear clothing, only what god gave them. The girls (most of them are) don't even bother covering up their breasts! Those cows have no decency I tell ya!

My nearest human neighbor is 1/2 mile away and keeps to himself.
Just had to rub that in!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CO Liberal]

13. By Definition, All "Bushies" Are Insane

I feel sorry for their kids, just as I feel sorry for Sean Hannity's kids. They're gonna require YEARS of therapy to repair the damage being done today.

[sandnsea]

14. I can tell you one thing, payback's a b*tch

The mother of a friend of my daughter's wouldn't let her come to my house because I let them walk to the shopping center when they were teen-agers. Hookers walk. :crazy:

So now they're 19 and her daughter is a single pregnant teen and mine's in nursing school.

No slam on anybody who's been caught in that position, it happens. But in this situation, I love the irony!

[foxglove1]

15. Thanks everyone! I think I figured out what her beef is

My husband and I were discussing it, and he gently mentioned the ummm ... numerous ... times I yell at the television when Bush, his minions or one of the talking wingut heads is spouting off. Dear hubby suggested that she's probably overheard one or more of my rants, or maybe my whoops of delight whenever the "I" word is mentioned on the tube ... and the windows in the living room open onto her driveway and front yard ... heehee

:bounce: So I guess I'm a nut! LONG LIVE FREE SPEECH!!

My son, bless his heart, is almost 14, knows more about the workings of our government than I did at age 25, can name most every Senator by sight, and listens raptly whenever the Byrd Man is speaking on the Senate floor

Sue

[Sophree]

16. That is too funny!

LOL!

"My husband and I were discussing it, and he gently mentioned the ummm ... numerous ... times I yell at the television when Bush, his minions or one of the talking wingut heads is spouting off. Dear hubby suggested that she's probably overheard one or more of my rants, or maybe my whoops of delight whenever the "I" word is mentioned on the tube ..."

If those are the qualifications for insanity, most of us here are nuts, too.

[foxglove1]

17. Wait until I plaster election 2004 posters all over my yard and house

She's gonna poop on herself LOL

Sue

[davsand]

19. THAT is how I got started in politics!

I had a butthead neighbor who also happened to be a Republican City Council member. I'd talked to this (my) City Councilman about a policeman who was in a BAR loudly discussing a sexual assault case he'd been called out on. The policeman was saying he'd about laughed when he took the victim's report because, "Everybody KNOWS you can't force a woman to give a blow job..."

When I talked to my neighbor about it he blew me off big time, saying the cop was probably just drunk and blowing off steam...

I was livid, and decided I was going to do everything I could to see that twit off the Council--or at least make his life miserable. It was too late to run, but I called the local Dem party and asked for EVERY Dem yardsign they had for my front yard. A man I knew and liked was running for Mayor, so I worked his campaign. I started doing door to door work in the neighborhood.

My guy won, and so did a lot of Dems that year. It ended up that my butthead neighbor was the lone Repub on the City Council. I left the yard signs up until they fell apart.

I sit here many years later, and I am still active in my party, and a visible Dem. I left office the end of May when my term ended and I'm deciding what to do next.

So be VERY careful with that yardsign thing--it can totally change your life!

Laura

[Breezy du Nord]

18. I used to babysit for people w/ neighbors a lot like that

man that lady pissed me off. Like one time Alex, the 10 year-old kid I was watching, was playing with her kid and her accidently stepped in her flowers.

Me and Alex knocked on her door and he apoligized, and so did i, but she went totally prissy-bitch on me, yelling, even though I told her I'd pay for the flowers if she wanted me to. Then she totally assaulted Alex's mom when she got home, (who, BTW, works nights as @ a hospital and days @ a flower shop and has three younger, very energetic shildren.)

Just and inkling, she had a "liberate Iraq sign" in her yard and I had my "give him another pretzel shirt me and my friends made on, lol.