Hi everyone I'm in need of your opinion on what to do.
My neighbours have a son who is between 8 and 10 years of age now he's an only child and I'm not sure if he has some underlying special needs or not but he's often outside playing but when he plays he is just constantly yelling like he's furious kind of yelling for at least half an hour at a time and its bloody loud but this isn't what's bothering me, just about every morning and evening he bashes at their back door screaming to be let back in and when he does this I can't even sit outside he's that loud, his parents eventually open the door and say whatever to him then they close it and the screaming continues so I'm guessing they actually lock him out because I've seen him trying to use the door handle to no avail. Like I said he may have underlying special needs or maybe he's a bit of a turd being an only child and being bored and his prents might just need a little break but it just doesn't sit well with me that they lock him out and let the whole neighbourhood listen to him scream like that. Would u report it? Or would u just mind ur business?
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16 Replies
I would report it if it’s happening frequently. Maybe there are underlying issues, maybe there aren’t. But if the child is unable to get the door open, that’s a major concern. It’s impacting your life because it sounds like it’s not a child playing outside having fun. It’s better to err on the side of caution in this instance.
I think I would leave it, as long as it's not hours on end or extreme weather conditions. Making a 10 year old play outside isn't really a crime. He might be addicted to screens and that is needed to get him away from them. He might just be too much for them, need a break and that's how they get it. Maybe they mop the floors and don't let him in until it dries.i don't know.
Yes, definitely.
This may be the only sign that there's something terribly wrong going on inside that home. It may just be that these parents need some support.
Either way, it's niggling at you so don't ignore it.
Look at it this way:
If you report it and all is well or the parents just need some help - no harm done.
If you don't report it and god forbid that kid is being neglected or abused - could you live with that?
I’d report to CPS
This all seems truly alarming. I'd personally report the fact that this young boy is locked out on his own s reaming to come back in.
I'd be astounded if this hasn't already been reported. How long has this been happening?
It probably has been reported by other neighbours, although it's just as likely they're all kind of on the fence like OP and have done nothing - that's exactly how some kids end up slipping through the cracks.
It's also a possibility that it has been reported but its not a big enough priority to investigate yet due to funding and a lack of resources.
OP should definitely report it though. It'll either help build a pre-existing case or it'll put the family on the radar.
I just want to add to this, the next time one of these screaming/locked out incidents occurs you could call the police for a welfare check. Tell them this is an almost twice daily occurrence and that you're becoming increasingly concerned for the child.
That's a bit more of an immediate response than waiting for child services to follow up.
Report away.
If he is not being neglected/mistreated then they will leave the family alone.
If he is being mistreated then atleast authorities are aware
I'd report it every single time.
Lol. My son that age can't open our back door half the time when it's unlocked and not broken. And if he was banging and yelling I wouldn't hear unless I was in the living room because the house double brick and doors stay closed for aircon and pets etc. Surely your first point of call is to talk to them?
My kids are noisy AF and they lock themselves out all the bloody time. I'd like to think I have a good enough relationship with my neighbours that they'd just come and chat to me if there was ever an issue.
In saying that, if you're feeling like a child might be at risk of abuse or neglect talking to their parents can actually put the child in danger. Those kind of concerns should always be taken directly to the appropriate agencies.
Twice a day?
Do you open the door, say something and then shut the door in your kids face so they keep carrying on?
All those saying get to know them, sure do that, but still report it, they won’t know it’s you.
If it’s an abuse situation you won’t know cause they may lie.
If they are struggling with no help even if you report them and it’s nothing you may open doors to so many services that they weren’t able to get before.
100% report it. That’s abuse. No it’s or buts. If this is what you can see, imagine what’s happening behind that door when he’s inside. Report report report.