Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    WriterGirl_15's Avatar
    WriterGirl_15 Posts: 79, Reputation: -3
    Junior Member
     
    #1

    Apr 29, 2011, 04:21 PM
    Bored Three-Year-Old
    Okay, so I have a problem. My next door neighbor, who is a three-year-old girl with one older brother who wants nothing to do with her, has decided I'm her boredom solution. Sometimes, this is great, since I don't have a sister either. But sometimes, I have stuff to do, like homework. Or maybe I don't feel like entertaining her 24/7. Her mother isn't much help, since she leaves her kids to entertain themselves. What can I give this girl to do on her own so she doesn't come ringing my doorbell four times in one hour?
    justcurious55's Avatar
    justcurious55 Posts: 4,360, Reputation: 790
    Ultra Member
     
    #2

    Apr 29, 2011, 04:35 PM

    You just have to explain to her that you can't play. Maybe giver her another time to come back. Something along the lines of "I'm sorry, I can't play right now. Maybe we can play tomorrow though." she's only three so she probably won't understand any complicated reasons anyway.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #3

    Apr 29, 2011, 04:44 PM

    A three y/o is wandering around from house to house?
    WriterGirl_15's Avatar
    WriterGirl_15 Posts: 79, Reputation: -3
    Junior Member
     
    #4

    Apr 30, 2011, 06:30 AM
    We live in an Air Force Base cul-de-sac, so yes, she's a three-year-old wandering around between her house, mine, and this other three-year-old who's not there half the time (hence her coming to my house). And @justcurious55: I've tried that. Several times. She comes back five minutes later saying, "I'm bored" or "My brother won't play with me" or "My mom says I have to play outside. Now will you play with me?"
    DoulaLC's Avatar
    DoulaLC Posts: 10,488, Reputation: 1952
    Uber Member
     
    #5

    Apr 30, 2011, 07:39 AM


    You shouldn't be put in a position to entertain her, or "babysit" her. You could speak to her mother about your concerns, but if you don't feel it will get you anywhere, and you have concerns about the child's safety as well, you could have her try a few things, all of which can be found at the dollar store:

    * let her use sidewalk chalk to draw on the sidewalk/driveway
    * coloring books and crayons
    * puzzles
    * playdough and cookie cutters on a plastic placemat
    * building blocks
    * old magazines that she can tear pictures from, a glue stick, and construction paper so that she can make collages


    If you were so inclined, you might keep these types of items in a special box that she gets to use only when you need time to do other things. Or it could be she only gets to use these if she comes over on Tuesday and Thursday for example. It might cut down on how often she is ringing your bell.

    Then I would send her mother a bill for your services... :D
    WriterGirl_15's Avatar
    WriterGirl_15 Posts: 79, Reputation: -3
    Junior Member
     
    #6

    Apr 30, 2011, 10:51 AM
    Thanks! I like the box idea. :)
    LovesHim21's Avatar
    LovesHim21 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #7

    Oct 7, 2011, 11:15 AM
    You should just sit her down in your house and give her a toy and say OK play with this and go do your homework or whatever you have to do chances are she won't move if she does put on the TV and she'll be gluded there :)
    jenniepepsi's Avatar
    jenniepepsi Posts: 4,042, Reputation: 533
    Ultra Member
     
    #8

    Oct 12, 2011, 10:22 PM
    I am not positive on this, so I would hope someone who knows better can correct me, but if it is illegal for a child of 3 to be left alone at home, would it also not be illegal for the child to be outside alone?

    I would talk to your parents and consider calling the MP's over for a well check on the child's home. Find out why the child is out side by herself.
    WriterGirl_15's Avatar
    WriterGirl_15 Posts: 79, Reputation: -3
    Junior Member
     
    #9

    Oct 13, 2011, 07:18 AM
    Thanks for the suggestions, but actually she just moved. No more Bella. :)
    jenniepepsi's Avatar
    jenniepepsi Posts: 4,042, Reputation: 533
    Ultra Member
     
    #10

    Oct 13, 2011, 11:01 AM
    Thank you for the update. I am glad to know she will not be a bother to you anymore. I still worry about this child. As I do all children under 6 allowed to just wander aimlessly around the neighborhood alone.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

How to not be bored? [ 5 Answers ]

See Im in sixth grade<going into 6th grade>and school is so boring the teachers always teach us stuff we already know and I'd rather do it myself! Im in gifted services and I know things ahead of time!! :( :( :confused:

What to do when bored and a ten year old [ 6 Answers ]

Need help I am bored but I am 10 what to do

I am so bored [ 23 Answers ]

Hi kids. Well it's been a while since I started a chat, just wasn't in the mood for a long time. Well now I'm bored out of my tree, so time to start something up. ;) There's no topic, there's no theme, there's just me wanting to reconnect with all my old friends and new friends too. ...

Am I being TOO Available or are we just Bored? [ 16 Answers ]

I've heard countless of times that being too available can be a problem. I have been recently laid off, and my girlfriend calls me like 5 times a day when she's at work, to say hello, and just talk. Then when she gets off work in the evening at around 7pm, I go over there, chill, we watch TV, and...

My boyfriend is bored [ 4 Answers ]

I am 5 years older then my boyfriend he's only 21 but already is bored with sex we have tried just about everything he use to want it all the time but now doesn't what could be wrong


View more questions Search