u/shesfreespirited

I’m not sure if this is really the right sub for this question, so forgive me if it’s not. I follow a homeschool, stay-at-home military spouse mom who used to babysit my kids until our schedules changed and we no longer needed childcare.

She constantly posts and reposts reels about how homeschooling is so much better, all the benefits of it, and how parents who send their kids to school are basically lazy or taking the “easy way out.”

I don’t understand why some parents act like sending your child to school automatically makes you a less involved or caring parent. A lot of us work, have different family dynamics, or simply feel traditional school is the best fit for our kids.

Why does it seem like some homeschool parents look down on parents who choose public schools?

I wished her a Happy Mother’s Day recently but after the latest repost, it made me stopped interacting with her posts and actually muted her on social media.

A part of me still has hope that he somehow beats this and gets another chance at life.

My “husband” unlocked my oldest daughter’s bedroom locked door while I was in there, although I didn’t even lock it to begin with. I believe my 5 year old locked it when he left out, but then he got mad because I told him not to do that. He unlocked it with his key since it’s one of those easy lock knobs.

Somehow it turned into a huge argument because of him, and now we’re talking divorce. I told him to move out because I’m tired of all the yelling and screaming even when I really do nothing. Mind you, I haven’t even bothered this man all day.

He claims he can do that while I’m in there and said he’ll take the door off the hinges. He calls me a little ass girl, saying he just wanted to say bye before leaving for work, all while yelling.

At this point, I’m exhausted. I usually text or call him when things like this happen, but I refuse to this time. I just want it to be over. He says I’m the only person he talks to this way because I’m the only one who “treats him this way.”

I think the main reason I’ve held on this long is because we share two kids, own a house, no family in the state I am and I already had a child from a prior failed relationship. I kept trying to make this work because I didn’t want another broken home or another failed relationship on my back, especially with kids involved, but I feel like he’s gotten so comfortable behaving any kind of way towards me.

I got a message from my son’s pre-k teacher about Teacher Appreciation Week, and I’ve been going back and forth on whether I should get her a gift. This is new for me because with my firstborn, I didn’t do it at all.

Do you usually give something just because, only for teachers who really go the extra mile, or do you let your child choose which teacher they want to appreciate?

I asked my husband, and he immediately said to get her something, but I tend to think a little deeper about it than he does. His teacher and I barely communicated all year. There were moments, like on Valentine’s Day, when he needed a reminder to take his goodie bags out of his bookbag, and she didn’t step in. So I’m honestly wondering… what exactly am I appreciating?

If anything, I feel more inclined to get something for his bus driver. We interact, she tells me how he behaves on the bus, and she’s kind. She gives him treats when he gets off the bus.

Is Walmart+ worth $100?

I’m asking because a couple years ago it didn’t feel worth it, so I canceled. Delivery slots were hard to get, and I’d often end up with either out of stock, damaged or spoiled groceries.

Has it gotten any better since then? I grocery shop every week for a family of 4-5 and would love to save time in the store, but I’m hesitant because of my past experience.

I also have a Sam’s Club membership, and I don’t think that’s necessarily worth it anymore for my family either. I love a few household items from there that are definitely a great deal, but I only go a few times a year just for those things.

TL;DR: You and your neighbor cleared up past tension and the kids started playing again, but the setup isn’t working well. The 7-year-old is often too rough and pushes boundaries (swinging sticks, chasing near streets, taking items, entering your home, persistent questioning/knocking), which leads you to constantly step in to keep things safe. You’re always present because you don’t trust unsupervised play, but it’s becoming exhausting and feels like you’re repeatedly managing another child’s behavior as parents seem hands-off.

My neighbor and I have had our share of conversations over the years about the kids playing together, their dog poop, etc. At one point, they didn’t play at all because my kids were too young to be outside unsupervised, and I thought the other parents didn’t want their kid in our fenced-in backyard. At least that was my understanding until we actually talked.

It created some tension between us at the time. There was noticeable avoidance, eye rolling, and even moments where they would tell their kids to stay from over here.

A lot of it seemed to come from miscommunication, especially since things were being relayed through their kids to me instead of directly between us. Eventually, the stepmom and I had a conversation and were able to clear everything up. She doesn’t mine my kids over there to play with hers and vice versa.

We don’t really interact still, and I’m fine with that. What matters is there’s no more tension, and we’re able to keep things cordial.

Now the kids are playing together again. Their kids are 7 and 12, and mine are 5 and 3. The issue is that every time they play, the 7 year old tends to be a bit too rough with my younger ones.

For example, my son recently ended up with his entire leg scratched up after playing. Another time, she had a thin stick and was “tickling” my youngest with it. I didn’t think much of it at first, so I didn’t say anything but later she picked up a thicker stick and started swinging it at my son hard, and I had to step in and tell her to not do that. There was also a time she was throwing dirt and leaves into my youngest’s hair, which I had to correct as well. She’ll also run into the street and along the curb then quickly back on the sidewalk while playing “chase” and my son would follow behind her. I had to talk to my son to let him know he can’t just follow behind anyone like that and he doesn’t go in the street.

Then there are the smaller things that keep happening like taking my daughter’s scooter, even though she has her own. My daughter was chasing her, whining and clearly upset, while she just kept riding it. I didn’t say anything in the moment because it didn’t seem like a huge deal, but it’s starting to add up.

The parents are ok with their kids being outside unsupervised as they feel we live in a good neighborhood. I am not so whenever they do play together, I’m always outside. I’m not hovering over them, but I am keeping an eye on them. I’ve made that clear to both, her stepmom and dad and they were fine with it.

What’s becoming a bit side-eyeing is that I feel like I’m constantly the one stepping in and correcting behavior, and I don’t want to be in a position where I’m having to talk to someone else’s child every single time they play. The parents are hardly to never outside with their kids.

When I do talk to her, letting her know we aren’t available right now she also keeps asking or ask so many questions. Like if I tell they can’t play right now or they can come out. Another time. She’ll be like why? where you going? what they have to do? Just keeping on. She walks in my home and more. There was also a time she knocked I wasn’t going to answer and she kept knocking and told her sibling they are home. I hear them.

What would you do? Neighbor kid plays too rough with mine?

My neighbor and I have had our share of conversations over the years about the kids playing together, their dog poop, etc. At one point, they didn’t play at all because my kids were too young to be outside unsupervised, and I thought the other parents didn’t want their kid in our fenced-in backyard. At least that was my understanding until we actually talked.

It created some tension between us at the time. There was noticeable avoidance, eye rolling, and even moments where they would tell their kids to stay from over here.

A lot of it seemed to come from miscommunication, especially since things were being relayed through their kids to me instead of directly between us. Eventually, the stepmom and I had a conversation and were able to clear everything up. She doesn’t mine my kids over there to play with hers and vice versa.

We don’t really interact still, and I’m fine with that. What matters is there’s no more tension, and we’re able to keep things cordial.

Now the kids are playing together again. Their kids are 7 and 12, and mine are 5 and 3. The issue is that every time they play, the 7 year old tends to be a bit too rough with my younger ones.

For example, my son recently ended up with his entire leg scratched up after playing. Another time, she had a thin stick and was “tickling” my youngest with it. I didn’t think much of it at first, so I didn’t say anything but later she picked up a thicker stick and started swinging it at my son hard, and I had to step in and tell her to not do that. There was also a time she was throwing dirt and leaves into my youngest’s hair, which I had to correct as well. She’ll also run into the street and along the curb then quickly back on the sidewalk while playing “chase” and my son would follow behind her. I had to talk to my son to let him know he can’t just follow behind anyone like that and he doesn’t go in the street.

Then there are the smaller things that keep happening like taking my daughter’s scooter, even though she has her own. My daughter was chasing her, whining and clearly upset, while she just kept riding it. I didn’t say anything in the moment because it didn’t seem like a huge deal, but it’s starting to add up.

The parents are ok with their kids being outside unsupervised as they feel we live in a good neighborhood. I am not so whenever they do play together, I’m always outside. I’m not hovering over them, but I am keeping an eye on them. I’ve made that clear to both, her stepmom and dad and they were fine with it.

What’s becoming a bit side-eyeing is that I feel like I’m constantly the one stepping in and correcting behavior, and I don’t want to be in a position where I’m having to talk to someone else’s child every single time they play. The parents are hardly to never outside with their kids.

She also keeps asking or ask so many questions. Like if she knocks on our door I tell they can’t play right now or they can’t come out. Another time. She’ll be like why? where you going? what they have to do? Just keeping on. There was also a time she knocked I wasn’t going to answer and she kept knocking and told her sibling they are home. I can hear them.

I don’t think this is really a NFH but not sure where else to post it.

My neighbor and I have had our share of conversations over the years about the kids playing together, their dog poop, etc. At one point, they didn’t play at all because my kids were too young to be outside unsupervised, and I thought the other parents didn’t want their kid in our fenced-in backyard. At least that was my understanding until we actually talked.

It created some tension between us at the time. There was noticeable avoidance, eye rolling, and even moments where they would tell their kids to stay from over here.

A lot of it seemed to come from miscommunication, especially since things were being relayed through their kids to me instead of directly between us. Eventually, the stepmom and I had a conversation and were able to clear everything up. She doesn’t mine my kids over there to play with hers and vice versa.

We don’t really interact still, and I’m fine with that. What matters is there’s no more tension, and we’re able to keep things cordial.

Now the kids are playing together again. Their kids are 7 and 12, and mine are 5 and 3. The issue is that every time they play, the 7 year old tends to be a bit too rough with my younger ones.

For example, my son recently ended up with his entire leg scratched up after playing. Another time, she had a thin stick and was “tickling” my youngest with it. I didn’t think much of it at first, so I didn’t say anything but later she picked up a thicker stick and started swinging it at my son hard, and I had to step in and tell her to not do that. There was also a time she was throwing dirt and leaves into my youngest’s hair, which I had to correct as well. She’ll also run into the street and along the curb then quickly back on the sidewalk while playing “chase” and my son would follow behind her. I had to talk to my son to let him know he can’t just follow behind anyone like that and he doesn’t go in the street.

Then there are the smaller things that keep happening like taking my daughter’s scooter, even though she has her own. My daughter was chasing her, whining and clearly upset, while she just kept riding it. I didn’t say anything in the moment because it didn’t seem like a huge deal, but it’s starting to add up.

The parents are ok with their kids being outside unsupervised as they feel we live in a good neighborhood. I am not so whenever they do play together, I’m always outside. I’m not hovering over them, but I am keeping an eye on them. I’ve made that clear to both, her stepmom and dad and they were fine with it.

What’s becoming a bit side-eyeing is that I feel like I’m constantly the one stepping in and correcting behavior, and I don’t want to be in a position where I’m having to talk to someone else’s child every single time they play. The parents are hardly to never outside with their kids.

When I do talk to her, letting her know we aren’t available right now she also keeps asking or ask so many questions. Like if I tell they can’t play right now or they can come out. Another time. She’ll be like why? where you going? what they have to do? Just keeping on. She walks in my home and more. There was also a time she knocked I wasn’t going to answer and she kept knocking and told her sibling they are home. I hear them.

Yes, I know I can find another job, but realistically, it’s not that easy right now and this job fits my husband’s schedule perfectly we work opposite shifts, so we don’t have to pay for childcare, which is a huge financial relief. Walking away from that isn’t a simple decision but at the same time, this job is draining me. The stress has gotten so bad that it’s starting to affect my home life. I come home exhausted, overstimulated, and frustrated, and I hate that I end up taking it out on my family.

I’ve been here for 8 years, and these past several months have been harder and harder just to get through a full 40-hour week. I always end up leaving early every day. The environment feels toxic. I hate the leadership, majority of the people and the job.