I don't like my neighbours' kid - and I'm inclined to be childish about it
By Boingboing
@boiboing (13153)
Northampton, England
May 8, 2016 10:58am CST
Firstly - since it's mother's day in far too many parts of the world - it should be said that I don't have kids and that I don't particularly like most kids. Some I can take in small amounts, a few I really like but towards most I'm pretty indifferent.
On the shortlist of kids I DO like are the three ginger kids who live two doors up from us. We've known them for most of their lives and they are a credit to their mum and her partner. They are polite, funny, well adapted kids and I'd happily spend time in their company - even answering bizarre existential questions about my pond fish with the youngest.
So why the title of this post? It's the kid who lives between us and the ginger kids that I don't like. He's the elder of two children and his younger brother is still a baby. He's 8 years old and he thinks he knows everything and he's rude and cheeky. Sadly he hangs out with 9-year old Owen so we have to put up with him.
Owen told me yesterday that he'd been to the cinema to see the Jungle Book. Two of our cats are called Baloo and Bagheera so I asked if he'd known before he went that they were named for the animals in the story. Before he could answer, his little buddy chipped in.
"Everybody knows that" said little Mr Knowall. "I knew that when I was one" he bragged.
Yeah, seriously, of course you did little smug-boy.
This afternoon he's been chippy and rude a couple of times and decided to march straight into the house and inspect my bathroom. On the plus side he said it was very nice, on the negative, I don't recall inviting him in.
Anyway, he or I may eventually grow out of this feeling of animosity but he's not made a good start so far.
15 people like this
16 responses
@jillybean1222 (6407)
•
8 May 16
I think some kids go through that stage (and yes, hopefully outgrow it)... I say this because one of mine, the 2nd-born, does this. I'm not sure why! The others don't. Maybe it is an insecurity. But I can totally understand not wanting to spend time with him. (I've told my son in the past that people don't like a know-it-all)
5 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
8 May 16
There is always one that gets right up your left nostril knows better than anyone else etc etc. A friend of ours had a right obnoxious little brat but his younger brother was very clever and a delight to have around!
2 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
8 May 16
Sadly I think we'll be sick of this little fella long before his baby brother is talking.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
9 May 16
I also don't like most kids, especially the rude little know it alls.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
10 May 16
@boiboing I was really bossy as a kid.. I'm still pretty bossy now!
1 person likes this
@jndlponti (2402)
• Philippines
8 May 16
Probably you will be used of him around soon as he hangs most of his time with the other kid you like. But sure hope that this kid will be teach more of manners.
Probably it's you who is the perfect person for that.
1 person likes this
@jndlponti (2402)
• Philippines
8 May 16
@boiboing Hahahah...let's just hope then your ways doesn't cross very easily..
1 person likes this
@ricki_911 (21625)
• Toronto, Ontario
8 May 16
I completely agree with you. I hate most kids but it comes back tot he parenting. Many times parents think of themselves and not the kids. They do what they want and let the kids do as they want.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
8 May 16
That right there is why I don't have kids. I just don't like them.
2 people like this
@dodo19 (47317)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
9 May 16
I don't like kids like that who are just rude, and think they know it all. Kids like this rude 8 year old neighbour of yours do bug me. I can handle most kids alright, but kids who are just rude and such just annoy me. As much as these kids annoy me, I also feel the parents are to blame for their kids' behaviour and attitude. They are doing their job very well, in my opinion.
@celticeagle (167025)
• Boise, Idaho
8 May 16
Kids! I am glad I am not raising, having guardianship of, or helping much to raise one. My grandson is doing pretty well and treats okay. He still gets mad and threatens me but not like he used to. Thanks to medication and some skills we have been taught over the last few years. Don't let that little smarty out smart or out fox you.
@allknowing (136479)
• India
9 May 16
All what I could understand from this post is that you love kids.
@allknowing (136479)
• India
9 May 16
@boiboing There are those who just do not like kids - that's why
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
8 May 16
I am not big on kids, or babies, or most anyone under 21 LOL.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
8 May 16
it's worse when you dont have a recourse to discipline or set down rules. I actually started latching my screen door to prevent the neighboors rude little minions from coming inside. the grandson of our other neighbor is quite nice, but the others 2 that I see most often I cannot stand.
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6407)
•
8 May 16
I don't think it's necessarily the parents.... I have 5 kids & one of them is a know-it-all... he brags. he always has. I'm not sure why. I tell him that he needs to be humble. I tell him no one likes a know-it-all, but I think some kids just develop personalities based on all sorts of factors. It's humbling as a parent because I used to see kids, before i was a mom, and i'd think "well, if i were their parent, they wouldn't do that...." now i realize, sadly, it's not all within my control. I can talk till i'm blue in the face. I can put kids in time-out or ground them or take away things they like. But I can't change who they are inside. I just have to hope and pray that someday they mature. I know another kid, BEST parents... such good people, and he's such a know-it-all and bragger.... has been for years. He's the only one of their kids like that. Again, i think that he'll outgrow it. His parents and siblings are great.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
8 May 16
@jillybean1222 I'm glad I stopped at two. I wouldn't like that type of child. I know that I don't care for adults like that.
1 person likes this
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
10 May 16
I like my own kids, most of the time, lol. Other people's kids I can only take for short spurts.
@slayer08 (2377)
• Philippines
8 May 16
I hear you,. I also don't like kids who acts like a know it all. And yes, I'm a bit childish when it comes to those kinds of stuff. I like some kids, but there kids who can be difficult. I don't want to think badly of their parents but I can't help it sometimes.
