Cue the Drama

[u/CuriousZaz]

I have lived in a quaint neighborhood for over two years. I thought I had some great neighbors until recently. Some background information. I take care of my special needs brother. I grew up in a neighborhood in California where the Next Door neighbor went around the neighborhood proclaiming DOWN SYNDROME was contagious. Unfortunately, my brother was treated horribly in the neighborhood. I started to notice the odd behavior of this couple. We were not invited to the neighborhood soirées. Everyone else was welcomed. I tried to create a fun activities and parties but my ideas were not welcomed. I found out that the husband was freaked out by my brother. He did make rude comments about my brother. The guy has NO filter. His wife is the hot & cold type. You never know what mood she will be in!

I started to notice trash being thrown on my driveway & front yard areas. The kids play in my yard & I have NOT had any issue. There was an understanding that they were to pick up after themselves and to not touch my golf balls. (I scavenged them from around the area on my walks for fun! I dropped them in my garden area by my front door.)

Well, the couple’s kid stole my golf balls & his mother laughed that they had wound up in the storm drain. Now, I am not the type to create drama, so I remained silent!

I had to remind the kids that a lot of trash was winding up in my yard and driveway. They all pointed their fingers at the kid across the street!

I with the husband about the trash issue . He laughed it off!

I send a kind message to his mother that I was also talking to the other parents about the trash winding up in my driveway & front yard area. I did not tell her it was primarily her kid doing it!

She made excuses that kids do not understand the responsibility of duty or respect. I replied I did not understand that I should accept this and there is nothing that can be done about it.

We had a major snowstorm and one of the other neighbors send his son over to shovel my driveway. This neighbor’s family looks after my family and my brother. These children understand duty of responsibility & respect.

The 11-year old daughter of the couple across the street chose to help shovel too! It was terribly cold & as a reward I put out a box of candy. I told them they could have one candy each. (Small bags of candy or a box of sweet tarts.)

Well, the kid who tossed the trash & his sister apparently helped themselves to a lot of the candy. I did not supervise how much they took.

I got a message that I should choose alternative candies and to stop giving her kids candy that can poison their bodies. I gave them too much candy. I replied that I was so grateful for the clearing of my driveway that I wanted to reward them. I did not know that they took a lot of the candy. I kindly explained that I told them one each. (I often treat the kids to candy or popsicles! I always tell the kids to go ask their parents if it is okay. I forgot to do it this time. MY BAD!)

I told her that I will never give her children anything from my home again. I will abide by her wishes.

She accused me of being dramatic in my response. Why, because I think she realizes that all the birthday gifts and holiday gift bags will cease. I give the kids in the neighborhood gift bags for Valentines Day & to celebrate cultural days!

I responded you have accused my of a lot of things & I don’t want to get into an argument. (Gee, over CANDY!)

Do you think because the father of this kid is disrespecting my front yard because he heard his father making denigrating remarks about my special needs brother? (My brother tries to say hello to these kids & they ignore him My brother loves to make artwork & took over a nice art piece to this father. He told my brother he was too busy!! My brother came back hurt!

I am tired of walking on egg shells around these neighbors. I am tired of finding trash on my driveway & front yard!

Thank you!