Neighbors.

I had the very unpleasant experience of suffering (yes I am being melodramatic) at the hands of my neighbor's children last night just before the work hour changed to relaxation hour. I think society as a whole sees children as innocent and untainted. People either love or hate children. Most of them remind me of little gremlins.

This might ruffle a whole lot of parents' feathers but I have to tell you about my neighbor and her small crew. Here I was minding my own business and sending my bestie a voice note when all of a sudden palm tree seeds were flying over my neighbor's wall onto my awning. The next one hit nothing but when one of them hit my window I lost my shit!

I ran to the back door and shouted at them to bloody stop it! Thank goodness I have their mother's number and WhatsApp her to please tell her kids to stop as this is unacceptable and that I did shout at them to stop.

My neighbors reaction.

I am irritated and want to make food and it is not good with my energy being so off. The next minute my phone rang and it was my neighbor asking me to please meet her outside. Now I am getting ready for a scuffle and told her I am on my way. I had to quickly get a bra on as the twins were unsupported at the time.

She left me speechless as here she was standing with 3 of her kids. My eyes widened considerably (my eyes are already big so I must have scared her just a little) and I stared at this scene unfolding infront of me. Then stared down the kids and there was this awkward silence. Like we are measuring each other up. The poor kids were like deer in headlights.

She looked at them and said she was waiting for them to say what she brought them to say. One after the other they mouthed that they were the culprits and that they were sorry and it will never happen again. I had no words. I was blown away and all I could utter was a lame thank you and told my my neighbor she made my year. It does not happen often that someone renders me speechless but my neighbor did last night.

When I got my bearings back I asked the kids if I ever disrespected them and why they would think it okay to do what they did. I got a resounding 'NO' of course. The next question was if we could have a hug to seal the deal and that they have to give me their word that they would never do it again. It was the cutest when they moved in like lightning to colllect their hugs and proud of themselves that they owned up. Even if it was by force lol.

How can I become more neighborly?

I cannot explain how this episode gets me excited about people. It got me thinking about how I can become a better neighbor. Believe it or not, my definition of being a good neighbor is to stay out of your way and not attract any attention. Be quiet as a mouse and make no eye contact. God forbid if you would want to borrow a cup of sugar.

What I found when I googled how to be neighborly. To respect was a much better list than to be a better neighbor.

1. Introduce yourself. A simple “hello” goes a long way.
2. Exchange contact information. Encourage your neighbors to let you know if they have any concerns.
3. Keep neighbors informed.
4. Respect differences.
5. Monitor noise levels.
6. Clean up.
7. Ask how you can help.

I realized how closed off I have become and it is sad and we wonder why we feel so disconnected.

Come on I dare you. Try to be more neighborly by practicing some of the options on my list.

Let me know what your definition of a good neighbor is.

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