What to do when a neighbors vendettas your children?

Answer 1

If you are concerned your children are being threatened, or harassed in any way, ensure you maintain a diary, noting the date, time, and who said what to whom.

It may be prudent to install covert cctv security cameras, which do not violate your neighbour's privacy, but ensures you can cover any trespass on their part. The addition of a sound activated recording device may also be appropriate. However, again, it can only relate to interactions towards your children. Otherwise you could be charged with invasion of their privacy, if not worse.

Under no circumstances should you cause escalate the problem by verbal or physical threats, shouting, or demonstrations of your inability to act rationally. This can damage any potential claims you may have against your neighbour. Taking the moral high ground is always most appropriate.

And in any first instance, if there has been an occasion where your neighbour feels they have been wronged, perhaps over a most trivial matter, discuss with your children that all of you should meet with the neighbour and apologise for whatever transgression may have happened. Strengthen that you value your neighbourly friendship and want to have a community of harmony.

It's tragic the number of scenarios that blow out of proportion simply because of a matter of pride. In many occasions, the individual who is acting aggressively is merely hurt and incapable of expressing themselves. It takes a far greater person to manage the situation, even apologising for something for which your family is not guilty, and again stressing how you value their friendship. Ask how can you can make things better. It may be easier than you imagine and once you're all back inside your own home, you can laugh together over how petty your neighbour has been.

Sadly, many people, out of pride, or ignorance, are simply incapable of taking such a stance and relations rapidly deteriorate as a result.