Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

Not the Cool Mom in the Neighborhood

You hope you’ll be the cool mom in the neighborhood and be the house where all the kids want to hang out.

Cool has never been a word anyone would use to describe me. Though lots of kids hang out here, but it’s all because I have awesome kids(and probably because they have fun toys and it practically seems like a non stop play date here anyway, since I have three boys running around to begin with).

So I’m not the cool mom, I’m the mean one.

If you want to ride one of my boys’ bikes or scooters, you must wear a helmet. I don’t care if your parents don’t make you wear one(even if it is a LAW in NC and probably in your state, too), then you ride your own bike or scooter if you aren’t putting on a helmet.

You can jump on our trampoline, but only if one of my kids is out there. If I call my kids to come in, you have to go.

Speaking of the trampoline, you can not have wrestling matches or any sort of battle where you’re knocking into each other on it.

Get out of the street if a car is coming. Move, kid!

If you aren’t playing with the child who lives in that house, don’t play in that neighbor’s yard.

No, you can’t ride my youngest’s crazy kart. It’s tricky to learn to drive and he’s not allowed on it without an adult present. I’m not comfortable with anyone else on it. You could hurt yourself, break the cart, or destroy another neighbor’s property with it.


I will say no to popsicles or juice boxes or whatever other treat you send my child inside to ask for when you just knocked on our door two minutes ago to ask him to come out. It feels like you only asked him so you could get a treat. (None of the kids who do this are ones who don’t have enough to eat, this is just about wanting treats).

I’ll also say no to you trampling through my house to use the bathroom. You can see your house from mine, go use your own.

I’m immune to your puppy eyes when I’m loading my own kids up to go somewhere fun. I can’t take everyone else with me, too.

I am the cranky old lady on our street. Maybe I should agree when my husband talks about moving to the middle of nowhere.

It’s a good thing my kids are fun enough to compensate for my grumpiness.

Comments

  1. I’m the same way! Seriously, my kids have to wear helmets. And I don’t pass out treats to everyone. If they come inside, I make them stay in my children’s room. Some like to roam the house and I’m like, “Get the heck back upstairs!”

    • I hate hearing “but we didn’t wear them when we were kids and we were fine.” We know better now, we do better.

      I prefer the neighbor kids to stay outside. I’m fine when it’s other friends who come over, but not the neighbors. To me, that’s play outside or go home.

    • Most of these have to do with keeping kids safe, though I am probably pretty grumpy when I deliver these lines!

  4. hahahaha I’m not the cool mom either. I do it for safety, to teach my kids how to behave when others are around or if they go to someone else’s house, and to teach the other kid(s) life lessons as well.

  6. I’m the same way. We have neighbors across the street with no rules. There kids play in the street all the time and ride there power wheels in the street with out an adult nearby. And I’m always telling Jack just because so and so is doing it doesn’t mean you can or should. And I’m super strict when it comes to our pool and with Jack riding our friends power wheels four wheeler I make him wear a helmet. When it comes to being the cool mom on the block I just do not care.

    • I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve said “I don’t care what they do, you follow OUR rules.”

  7. You are so lucky! In our neighborhood very few moms stay at home and all the other kids are in day care all day. I would LOVE to have some kids show up to play with my kids. It would be awesome.

    • When my kids were younger, it would have been nice to have playmates so close. They’re all in elementary school now, so it’s just after school and weekends… and (with one exception) the kids aren’t ones my kids would be friends with, it’s just a matter of proximity! I really don’t mind the kids playing… but I do insist mine follow rules and if other kids are over, they have to follow them, too. 🙂

      • I totally get it. Sorry, after I made my comment I realized it must have come across a lot more critical than I intended. My kids are 7, 5, and 2 and not having playmates is a big problem for is right now, especially during the summers. Even during evening and holidays, other kids are in after school programs or day camps or such. With me at home, we just can’t afford the extra stuff, but here that is the way most kids make friends and spend time together. I was just a little overcome by the knowledge that there are places where kids still hang out together. Keep doing what you’re doing, its great.

        • Oh no, I totally get it. It is nice to have kids for mine to play with, though they much prefer other friends than the ones who are right here. I do like that mine will spend more time outside if there are other kids around, but sometimes those other kids bring problems of their own. Which is why I’m always the mom who is laying down the law around here. LOL

  8. This makes me kinda glad I live in an older neighborhood with only kids who I know really well and their parents too. 🙂

    That little car is really cool though, cannot blame other kids for wanting to ride on it! LOL! But yes, stand your ground! Otherwise, it’s just trouble waiting.

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