Neighborhood Kids!

My children were outside yesterday afternoon. My daughter (5) is learning somewhat how to ride a bike with training wheels. My son (3) enjoys his tricycle, while my baby (15 months) just enjoys being outside.

Well, I was inside with hubby and yet keeping an eye out for my children who were in the front yard. We have a neighbor (somewhere up the road) who loves to ride her bike to our house. Usually she shows up right about supper time or when we are preparing to leave for somewhere. This day, she came early, along with her sister and a friend. All three on bikes. Now, this particular girl, Samantha, is about 9 years old and looks for the most part, unkempt. I have never met her parents(?), but she likes to come over and just walk into my house, unannounced, to "use my bathroom" or ask for something to drink (unless it's water!) or just to come in.

Back to yesterday: These three girls came over and sat down on our front porch, taking turns holding my youngest son. I stepped away from the window briefly as I saw them put my son down and walk toward their bikes. When I returned to the window, I saw my daughter on one of their bikes (no training wheels) at the edge of the driveway and road. As I reached the door to call her back, I saw Samantha give a push to the bike. Yup! you guessed it -- right out into the road. Mother's rage flooded my typically calm demeanor and I yelled at her, as well as my daughter.

First, to my daughter: "No, ma'am! You have no business out in the road and definitely not on someone else's bike! Get up here right now!"

Then to Samantha: "She does not know how to ride a bike to be out in the road and I don't care for you pushing her into the road like that. I did not have 3 children just so you could try to have them run over by a car flying down the street not looking for oblivious children!"

This must have upset her and her friends because they immediately grabbed their bikes and left.

Honestly, I don't feel like I overreacted. But, this is the last straw. This girl is anxious for me to have my baby girl, so she can "manhandle" her. No way! I have seen her in action. Let me take you back a year ago...

A new neighbor had recently moved in. It was the beginning of summer and my children (ages 4, almost 2, and 3 months) were outside on a blanket enjoying the sun. I was washing my car. As I stepped inside to grab something for one of my children, a girl (about 8) rode near on her bike (no helmet). Not a moment later, I was back outside and there, standing on my blanket was this girl, holding MY 3 month old son, bouncing him and raising him up to "toss" him in the air! Now, I have had 3 children and we have played with them in this fashion on many occasions, so I was not a fearful new mother. But I was outraged that a total stranger would come up to my house and feel free to pick up one of my children - a baby, no less! - and do as she pleases with him. I *calmly* asked her name. She said, "Samantha." I said, "Samantha, my son is only 3 months old, are you prepared to pay for a hospital bill if you were to drop him on his head?" She immediately put him down, but stayed around to inform me that she had just moved in up the road. She liked babies and "could she hold mine?" (Gaining permission AFTER the fact?!?) I stood there and watched her, trying to be cordial as the soap dried on my car - did I dare turn my back on her again and resume my cleaning?!

Off and on she came over through the summer, but never attempting to pick him up again, nor trying anything as she has done this summer. I am ready to move, or if I could catch her at her house, the very least I will do is speak to her mother or father. I don't want her near me after I have this baby. I can just imagine her walking in as I am nursing my baby in the privacy of my own home! Ugh! Guess I will have to keep the doors locked and the blinds closed on my windows to keep snoopers from being to curious!