We live in a neighbourhood of mostly retirees - small three bed semi detached houses adjusting a small wood and a golf course - and worried about our reception when we moved in with a three year old. But everyone seems happy to hear joyful kid noises and will come over for a chat when we are in the front garden. The neighbour’s grandkids will come and hang out and we got a soccer goal from freecycle and leave it accessible, so it’s a lure. And we are going to be noticeable American and get a basketball hoop this summer. We encourage play in the woods, while we are working in the garden.
We cycle to school along a footpath and make sure to say hello to everyone and stop for a chat. Most people, we see every day and I feel like this is an investment in safety, when T is old enough to cycle solo, he’ll have a whole contingent of people who will keep an eye out and help if there were big kids up to mischief or if he fell, etc.
Love, love, love this! Rosaria Butterfield's book "The Gospel Comes with a House Key" explores this idea of neighborliness and hospitality so well, I recommend it!
I love this idea! We have several wonderful neighbors, and strive to be as welcoming as we can to the kids nearby. Thank you for highlighting something that truly feels hopeful for healthier kids and flourishing communities.
In a suburban or even rural area it's easy to know your neighbours. Here in Australia they have selected 'neighbourhood watch-houses" which kids can go to if they are lost/feel in danger or to find a helpful adult. I live in a high-rise and my new neighbours have left cookies outside everyone's door for xmas, I gave my cookies to the baristas at my workplace because I don't fully trust someone i've never met. sorry baristas!
The last time we lived in a neighborhood, it was a mostly a ghost town. Everyone was at work, or at school, and even on the weekends there were no kids outside kicking balls or biking around. The one retiree next door was a "get off my lawn" type. Gone are the days of being outside until getting yelled at to come home for supper. Unless your neighbors have the same mindset, neighborhoods and neighborliness seem pretty much extinct.
We bought our house last fall because we want to raise our son in the neighborhood we were renting in. We have made so many friends from the local park (thanks pandemic?) and I am really working on creating a village among us. It can be tough because some people are very suspicious of friendly strangers, but overall, it has been a positive experience. We even have a nine year old cat sitter who will hopefully graduate to babysitter in a few years!
When we moved onto our block, all the old timers came out to introduce themselves and offer help and suggestions. I love that my three year old has all of these people looking out for him, and he sees them as friends. The younger people have been less curious but we are having neighbors with a younger child over for dinner tonight, so we are headed in the right direction. Hopefully in a few years, these boys will go off to play in the school yard behind our house and I can call them in from the upstairs window. Dreams!
The house my daughter was born in was on a cul-de-sac and in the last couple of years before we moved she'd often play with the neighborhood kids on her scooter or with a water table out in the yard. We had a swing in a big tree in the front the kids liked to use as well. I think one of the houses the kids hung out at the mom was a teacher so that was always reassuring. We moved and now live on a high-traffic street so usually when I send the kids outside it's to our fenced-in backyard instead of out into the neighborhood. But our neighbor's daughter is the same age as mine and they've grown up in school together. I can't wait to see how that relationship evolves over time. Having those play dates has been invaluable so far. A good reminder to be welcoming and neighborly!
https://playborhood.com
I know about this guy but haven't read his book! Looks like I need to. Thanks for the reminder.
We live in a neighbourhood of mostly retirees - small three bed semi detached houses adjusting a small wood and a golf course - and worried about our reception when we moved in with a three year old. But everyone seems happy to hear joyful kid noises and will come over for a chat when we are in the front garden. The neighbour’s grandkids will come and hang out and we got a soccer goal from freecycle and leave it accessible, so it’s a lure. And we are going to be noticeable American and get a basketball hoop this summer. We encourage play in the woods, while we are working in the garden.
We cycle to school along a footpath and make sure to say hello to everyone and stop for a chat. Most people, we see every day and I feel like this is an investment in safety, when T is old enough to cycle solo, he’ll have a whole contingent of people who will keep an eye out and help if there were big kids up to mischief or if he fell, etc.
Love, love, love this! Rosaria Butterfield's book "The Gospel Comes with a House Key" explores this idea of neighborliness and hospitality so well, I recommend it!
That’s a great book. I heard her speak on the radio one time and her story really captivated me.
She has an incredible story!
I love this idea! We have several wonderful neighbors, and strive to be as welcoming as we can to the kids nearby. Thank you for highlighting something that truly feels hopeful for healthier kids and flourishing communities.
This is great. My wife and I have twin daughters and I’ve often wondered what a vision for this would look like.
In a suburban or even rural area it's easy to know your neighbours. Here in Australia they have selected 'neighbourhood watch-houses" which kids can go to if they are lost/feel in danger or to find a helpful adult. I live in a high-rise and my new neighbours have left cookies outside everyone's door for xmas, I gave my cookies to the baristas at my workplace because I don't fully trust someone i've never met. sorry baristas!
The last time we lived in a neighborhood, it was a mostly a ghost town. Everyone was at work, or at school, and even on the weekends there were no kids outside kicking balls or biking around. The one retiree next door was a "get off my lawn" type. Gone are the days of being outside until getting yelled at to come home for supper. Unless your neighbors have the same mindset, neighborhoods and neighborliness seem pretty much extinct.
We bought our house last fall because we want to raise our son in the neighborhood we were renting in. We have made so many friends from the local park (thanks pandemic?) and I am really working on creating a village among us. It can be tough because some people are very suspicious of friendly strangers, but overall, it has been a positive experience. We even have a nine year old cat sitter who will hopefully graduate to babysitter in a few years!
When we moved onto our block, all the old timers came out to introduce themselves and offer help and suggestions. I love that my three year old has all of these people looking out for him, and he sees them as friends. The younger people have been less curious but we are having neighbors with a younger child over for dinner tonight, so we are headed in the right direction. Hopefully in a few years, these boys will go off to play in the school yard behind our house and I can call them in from the upstairs window. Dreams!
The house my daughter was born in was on a cul-de-sac and in the last couple of years before we moved she'd often play with the neighborhood kids on her scooter or with a water table out in the yard. We had a swing in a big tree in the front the kids liked to use as well. I think one of the houses the kids hung out at the mom was a teacher so that was always reassuring. We moved and now live on a high-traffic street so usually when I send the kids outside it's to our fenced-in backyard instead of out into the neighborhood. But our neighbor's daughter is the same age as mine and they've grown up in school together. I can't wait to see how that relationship evolves over time. Having those play dates has been invaluable so far. A good reminder to be welcoming and neighborly!