So I see you've made it back, I'm glad... we were getting lonely here.
Not really. I mean I am glad to see that you've come back, but I have three kids, I'm actually pretty busy.
But, I did have some free time to take a moment to let you know what's been going on. School is finally out, Hooray! Time to be excited right?! Maybe if I were 9 and it was my summer vacation, but for me as Mom, these 10 weeks home with my kids are my full-time job that I spend the remaining 42 weeks of the year recovering from.
Alright, that is not entirely true, but sometimes (especially at the beginning) it feels like it..
Blasphemy you say?!
It's Summertime, kids are out of school and in my neck of the woods that is not until late June. A lot of the children around here still run around like it is circa 20+ years ago -- with no regard for personal safety, predators etc..., like they haven't a care in the world. Their parents send them out the door early and don't WANT them back 'til dinner time. Not me, I am a polar opposite of this in my parenting style. If I don't know you, haven't met you (and sometimes especially after meeting you) my children are kept as far away from you as possible. That said, and also because I am one of the only neighborhood Mom's who stays home we have become the "House of Choice." So of course when the kids come knocking they have to get an early start and it has quickly become a daily NIGHTMARE! Especially with my two big dogs alerting me in case I missed the non-stop loud thuds being made (I actually think they are kicking my door, thank God for steel!) -- and it sets off the chain reaction: the kids knock and then the dogs take to barking and I have yell over them to be quiet and to get back so I can answer, which is always particularly fun because it starts around 7:30 when my kids are still sleeping. I would almost bet the kids do it because they know, NOBODY can stay asleep with all the racket going on! I am sure that the "little knockers" find it amusing - but me, oh no, not so much!
When my kids are finally up and ready to face the day (and their "friends" are allowed inside) I am stupefied at the lack of regard for other people's homes and stuff in general these kids have. When I was growing up I'd have been slapped straight into next week if I walked into anyone's house demanding stuff... "I want a drink, Gimme that controller, this show sucks - how do you change the channel? You got food, I'm hungry?"
But no, these children know no limits! Each time they are over it is the SAME exact thing! I don't even give them anything (well maybe a glass of water) - because I truly believe that old saying about caring for strays, Don't you feed it, or it will never want to leave! You could say the same for the neighborhood kids.
I've tried on MANY occasions to refer hungry and thirsty children to their own homes if they didn't like that they could only have water from me - I was completely shocked to have heard "Nobody's home," My [Mom or Dad] told me not to come 'til dark." They've also shared with me that they've actually been told by their parents "Try and get somebody else to feed ya or wait til dinner." Seriously, WTH?! Are you kidding me?! What kind of parenting is that??? I didn't realize that I had been hired as your babysitter. Oh, wait, that's right because I WASN'T! But the kids (and I don't put all the blame off onto them) would spend ALL DAY everyday at our home if I would let them!
Now you're probably saying then don't let them in, don't answer the door. I've tried it, it doesn't work. We've pretended not to be home, and then my kids become prisoners in their own house, even then they kept coming and pounding on the door. I bet now your saying to yourself, so let them knock, stay inside a few days and they'll get he hint. Well let me tell you what has happens when you DON'T let them in? It is NOT a pretty picture. Cluster 'gangs' of kids on bicycles litter the street making it impossible for cars to pass. Horns are blaring and you hear the shouts through car windows of people cursing, telling them to move! And don't get me started on the litter... It comes from the the pilfered candy and soda machines across the street and then gets scattered throughout my yard despite the trash bin being only steps in the other direction. I don't even want to know where they've gotten the change to 'pay' for it.
I guess what I am a getting at is this, am I the only one? Is this a freak anomoly from Pleasant Street or is this some kind of epidemic for kids nowadays everywhere? What are your helpful coping tips? I am willing and open to trying just about everything!!! We still have a lot of weeks left.
Thinking happy thoughts until next time?-
StraightA's
