I have this neighborhood kid who is annoying and doesn't listen.?

Question

The kid (age 6?) across the street likes to come over almost everyday to play with my daughter (8) and step-son (17 & disabled).

I don't mind that. But he is just so irritating. He asks 50 million questions, and if you are having an adult conversation with someone or speaking to someone else he will but his nose in.

We also have specific rules for our kids. #1- We want them to stay in the yard at all times. #2 - No riding their bike on the lawn. #3 - Due to problems with the teenage punk behind us we no longer allow them to play in the back-yard unless there is an adult present (this is a WHOLE other topic). And #4 - NO playing in the garage or around vehicles.

He is always talking my kids into leaving the yard. I always catch him riding his bike on our lawn. And just today I caught him about 5 times in my garage with his bike, around my car! And the last time I flipped and yelled at him.

He just bothers me and my hubby so freakin much. What should we do?

I did finally close the garage door. It just irritates me because I don't feel I should have to "close up" my house when someone comes over.

And I do think he has pretty much free reign at his home. I am not sure but I think on days that there is no school, (like today for my kids and the summer) that he is alone. His mom is single and works during the day. And I know he is the youngest child (he has an older sister that is of age and doesn't live with mom).

I understand the 'latch key kid' thing. I was one growing up. But I had a lot more respect for others (at-least I think so), and I grew up very independent.

I think this kid needs some discipline in his life.

I did finally close the garage door. It just irritates me because I don't feel I should have to "close up" my house when someone comes over.

And I do think he has pretty much free reign at his home. I am not sure but I think on days that there is no school, (like today for my kids and the summer) that he is alone. His mom is single and works during the day. And I know he is the youngest child (he has an older sister that is of age and doesn't live with mom).

I understand the 'latch key kid' thing. I was one growing up. But I had a lot more respect for others (at-least I think so), and I grew up very independent.

I think this kid needs some discipline in his life.

Sorry about the repeat. :)

Answer 1

Tell him he's old enough to follow the rules. Make sure he knows the rules clearly. If he can't follow them, tell him he's not allowed over any longer because he can't follow your house rules.

Answer 2

It's impossible to discipline a child that isn't yours. If this boy is allowed free reign at home (and he obviously IS), then he won't know how to follow rules. You can try to sit him down with a list of the rules and then tell him the consequences of not following them (like he has to leave). If that doesn't work, lighten up. He's just a kid. Try to relax a little and -- if you can't -- I guess your kids won't have a playmate.

And the asking questions thing. UGH. I hated that age. Not much you can do about that. It's a phase. (Thank God for that, or every parent would be locked up in a mental ward.)

Answer 3

I know it sounds mean, but I would just let this kid know he is not welcome in your house if he cannot follow your rules. Hopefully your kids have some other friends they can also play with. That will make it much easier to ban this particular child. Give him a warning or two and then let him know if he breaks the rules he is not welcome at your house for a week (or some specific time limit). Stick with it!! If he realizes his behavior keeps him from his friends, I think it will improve. My kids had some friends that were very annoying when they were younger too, but another thing to keep in mind is that kids do grow and mature and they usually behave much better as the years go by. This may not be much help now, but if he ends up being your neighbor for years, you will almost definitely see some improvement as he gets older.

Answer 4

YOu could chat with his parents- but it's not a guarantee that it will do any good. What did we do? We moved here in April to our neighborhood. We have 3 across the street who do what you describe and much more- they lie, steal, hit, you name it. We also have rules and consequences. We talked to their parents and heard, "Not our kids , they don't cuss, they don't lie, etc." Whatever. So, we laid the groundrules- no change. Now they are not allowed over here at all. If the front door is unlocked because our son is out, they walk right in without even ringing the bell or knocking.

So they are not allowed over here anymore. I told them not to take our son's scooter out- and went to make dinner. The next thing I know, our dog is going crazy- and the oldest and youngest are sneaking the scooter out the front door- again, a chat with the family- and to no avail. So, the rules are firm and they are not going to play here.

Good luck with him!

Answer 5

Well first of all I would commend him on the fact that he is willing to play with your 17 year old son who is disabled, most kids would not do it so you have to give credit where credit is due. As for him not listening sit him down and tell him that when he is in your home he has to follow your rules, tell him that you like it when he comes over but he has to listen to you or he may not be able to come over as much, also he is 6, appeal to his need to be a big boy (all 6 year old have that need) tell him you want him to watch the other kids and make sure they do the right thing, I know he is not your kid but make a sticker book for him and tell him that every time he does something right or does not do any thing wrong during the day you will put a sticker in his book and when he gets 30 stickers tell him you will buy him a small toy for him to share with your kids.

Answer 6

Why can't you close the garage door. Is it because you want the kids to come in and out from the inside garage door? I think you should just close it and let them use the front door to take care of that problem. Send him home when he rides his bike on your lawn. Tell him flat out to not butt into your conversations with other adults and that it is rude. He's not going to learn if you're not honest with him.

Answer 7

Augh! This sounds like my neighborhood! It's gotten so bad that I won't let my son play outside, which is pretty unfair to him, but some of the kids here are just awful (and believe me, I never thought I would feel that way about a child). You could try talking to the kid, going up to him and saying, very simply, "I'm sorry, you're not allowed to play over here anymore because you can't follow the rules." (ps, though I tried, this didn't work for me....the kid just ignored me, though he was younger, about 3)

Answer 8

Treat him almost as if he is your own. Sit him down and let him know of "your" home rules. While he is visiting your house, he must follow these rules or he will be asked to leave the premises. Follow through w/ your word, when he goes in the grass w/ his bike or in your garage or near the cars...send him home. Be sure to say, I'm sorry, you did not follow our house rules...thus, you can not play w/ us today.

Answer 9

It's uncomfortable, I know, but you have to speak to his parents. I would tell them that you mean no offense, but you have your hands full trying to get your own children to follow your rules, and their kid requires more attention than you can give him.

If you don't mind having the kid over occasionally, outline your house rules and say something like, "If your son can follow the rules, we'd be glad to have him come over [whatever you can stand...once a week, whatever]."

You don't have to add the invitation if you really don't want to--you can just leave it by nicely saying you're very sorry, but you can't handle him. I don't know if you're friendly with the kid's parents, or if they'll tell the other neighbors you're "mean," or what. But if you're calm and sweet and apologetic about it, what can they really say? Don't stress too much, just get the conversation over with. Every neighborhood's got one!

Answer 10

Tell him your 4 specific rules and let him know that when he is in your house with your kids he has to abide by your rules just like your kids do, if not he will not be allowed to play with them. If he breaks your rules, then put him on 'punishment.' Tell him, I'm sorry but because you broke my rules you cannot come over for (set a punishment time, like 1 day, 3 days, one week) one week and my kids are not allowed to speak to you for that amount of time. You will be setting and example for him and for your kids.