Neighbours hate children!

hollykate

Hi, sorry for the long rant
we've moved to a new area nearly 1 1/2 years ago when i was 6 months pregnant and had a 6 year old. We are a nice family! (No arguing, no pets, no partying, shouting etc) But our new neighbours are in their 60's and are making my life a misery. They have told everyone how they hate and can't stand children. My oldest goes out into the garden sometimes, when she does the neighbour comes out slams and i mean slams the back door and is heard ranting inside. She loudly makes comments like - i'm not going outside - there are out there with that screaming kid, then slams door etc. Every time i go outside to hang washing, garden etc she just stands there staring at me in the window. My children are quite well behaved my oldest gets a bit excited sometimes but is not naughty or anything. I feel like i am living on eggshells - i won't let the children play in the garden and am feeling very depressed and low all the time. Hubby says take no notice - but i do! I love my house we have put a lot of time , effort and money into making it nice - but i am thinking of moving. Neighbours on the other side are really lovely - but i am sick to the back teeth of this.:(

McKneff

Stop worrying about it. Just completely ignore her.

Kids are kids, they get excited. Enjoy them.

Try andget a higher fence so she cant look out onto your garden
and you dont feel so sefl concious about someone wathcing you.
If not, hang your washing out with your back to her.

Just ignore her.

Edit. I'm a 60 year old nana and i love hearing the kiddies next door playing
She has a toleration problem, thats not your problem.
Chill..................

hollykate

thanks -i know i should stop worrying. We have got a high fence - but the house is on a raised level - so she looks down into the garden - all the time- its really spooky!!:eek: She is always there glaring through the window! (when she says "screaming" - my 1 year was running around laughing chasing her ball!)
Last summer when i had family down and the fence was lower - we were sat outside on patio in afternoon - when she decided to shake the dog hairs off her rug right opposite us!:eek: Bits of dog hair fluttered all around us!:mad:

bugbabe1970

Just try and ignore her. Its your house and garden and your children have every right to play outside and make some noise. She sholdnt have moved next door to you if she hated children that much.

I kmow it must be difficult for you, but if the situation persists (especially the staring) you might need to have a chat with her and ask what the problem is.

Summer is coming. Get the paddling pool out, relax and enjoy. She just sounds like a grumpy old moose!!

jcr16

awww i can understand how awful it must be. but don't let it get to you. let your kids play in garden , have fun , laugh and giggle. if the old lady next to you gets grumpy then let her get grumpy. it only her who will be in a bad mood and waste energy. perhaps she's forgetten she was a child once who had fun.

hopefully with any luck they will move on soon enough .

McKneff

Have a barbecue and invite her and her OH.
You never know, it might just be the start, an olive branch may work.

If not, you can always say you tried.

Life really is too short, I should know.

If she's in her 60's you would think she would realise this,

Britwife

When you see her glaring, look up and smile and wave.

I would just let it go though, she is just a miserable person. I wouldn't walk on eggshells, this is your house and your garden and children play, that's what they do.

If she doesn't like it she can move. Don't let her see you upset about her either, may fuel her. Or you can pop a little invite through her door to join you and your children for tea and cookies. She would then see how good your children are, not that you have to prove that.

hollykate

thanks for the reply - we moved next door to her! when we came to look at the house she jsut seemed like a noisy old women.
(See complains about all the neighbours who have families - even though she has a daughter - who she never sees)

BitterAndTwisted

Honestly, if I found her staring at me when I was in my garden I'd give her a cheery smile and a wave every time I saw her. Please don't discourage your kids from enjoying their own garden just because you've got a miseryguts next door

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

As long as your children aren't obnoxious, don't worry about it. She could resent them because she was infertile or because her own kids have nothing to do with her or because her last home's peace was destroyed by feral monsters and she didn't realise you were bringing children into the equation.

I suggest a trellis top to your fence and a suitable climbing plant to cover it.

hollykate

BBQ and tea are a no go!!!!
Her OH has never spoken to me ever! They don't speak or acknowledge us when we see them outsied the house - we just hear the comments or "ranting" - she opens her window so we can hear her.
I have try looking at her when she is in the window - but she just glares even more!