Comments on: The perils of working from home

By: John M

John M — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:21:52 +0000

On the topic of cats, this is interesting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/science/29cat.html?ex=1340769600&en=093ed135c4e5c8c2&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

By: Rahel

Rahel — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:11:14 +0000

It may be that one day, when she is older, she will understand that she needs to change her behavior. But until and unless that happens, you’re absolutely right to set boundaries and keep her away from your home.

By: Meryl Yourish

Meryl Yourish — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:44:51 +0000

The thing is, I like kids, and get along well with them. All ages, from infants up to college kids. I thought this was going to be great, having new neighbors with children AND cats.

But I don’t like brats. I don’t like children whose parents don’t know how to set rules. (I really loathe those kind of parents, but that’s an entirely different subject.)

Next-door-neighbor child shows all the signs of growing up to be a brat. So I will set the boundary lines and demand that her parents keep her off my property.

By: John M

John M — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:56:27 +0000

Yeah, my wife and I moved into a neighborhood full of cute little kids, and we thought it was great for a few months. Then starts the missing items from outdoors, and the chasing of the cats, the pulling of our flowers, the playing in our yard and getting hurt when we’re not there, etc etc. When we finally put our foot down, we were “mean”.

By: bvw

bvw — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:57:54 +0000

She has been crossing the line. Next time, take her by the hand and take her back to her mom or dad, and inform them to their face that their child is not to be let wander around the neighborhood at four years old.

That’s all, do not get into a discussion with them, make a statement and leave.

Also keep a log.

By: Meryl Yourish

Meryl Yourish — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 04:31:48 +0000

The kid has a cat. With three kittens.

By: Jim Katz

Jim Katz — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:38:05 +0000

I used to have to deal with crap like that, but 7 years ago I made the move to my own place where I can’t see any of my neighbors and they can’t see me. 10 acres of bliss… Just deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, coons, and a million birds. To find all that within 7 miles of a good sized town in central Florida, is my idea of heaven on earth.

By: chsw

chsw — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:20:40 +0000

Meryl, give the kid a cat or kitten of her own, to love and abuse as all children do to their pets. Maybe she’ll then stop bothering you and yours.

chsw

By: LynnB

LynnB — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 02:41:47 +0000

I’m a witness (via telephone) to a few of Meryl’s attempts to deal with this child, because these incursions occur frequently, loudly and with dogged persistence. Meryl’s been relatively patient, diplomatic and much more restrained than I would have been. The kid doesn’t remotely comprehend the meaning of “no” unless it’s delivered with a (metaphorical) 2×4. I wonder why?

By: Laura SF

Laura SF — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 02:20:11 +0000

When my son was very small, we had a neighbor kid with a brand new baby sister. He didn’t get enough attention from his mom, and so he would latch onto me when I was outside with my son.

Up to a point, that was okay. But then one day, he started snatching twigs away as my son reached for them…

Kids who feel neglected can be very, very hard to deal with. You were perfectly in the right, Meryl. You shouldn’t have to deal with her issues…