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Thanks for the feedback. It's a positive to have neighbors concerned over the safety of our kids and others. I guess the fact that we were told it was always prohibited felt a bit unfair.
I know. My DH thought it was unfair as well when I said if he ever again let our kids play where cars were driving we'd be talking to attorneys.
By the way, he was right there. He thought he would be able to stop her if a car came in.
I was going slow and stomped on the brakes the second I saw her and I still came so close to hitting her that I can feel it to this day.
Drivers are looking out for other cars. They're not looking out for kids darting about. Often, they aren't even looking out for bikes or motorcycles. It just doesn't register.
Honestly, while I'm sure your wife feels very safe running into the garage to grab a toy while they play near a dead end street, your child running (I doubt a 4 or 2 year was casually walking) from between 2 parked cars probably scared someone. There is nothing worse than having a smal child appear suddenly in a parking lot. I once handled a fatality where the driver was doing less than 20 mph (by multiple witness accounts) and struck and killed a 4 year old who ran out from behind an ice cream truck while his parents were "right there". SO that kind of stuff does happen.
I would try to smooth this over by saying "your request isn't in the HOA covenants [if indeed it's not] but we will make sure to NEVER leave the kids unattended for even a second while we are out front with them. Thanks for your concern, we really appreciate it".
If it is in the covenants, you are SOL, and i'd love to know if that's the case.
Thanks for the feedback. It's a positive to have neighbors concerned over the safety of our kids and others. I guess the fact that we were told it was always prohibited felt a bit unfair.
I'm glad you take it that way. Walking between two cars to the street could mean that drivers don't see your child. If they were to run into the street it could be tragic.
The townhome HOA are probably concerned for your kids' safety as well as their liability. If someone gets hurt in their parking lot, that becomes an issue for them. Many townhomes have a bit of a yard but may not be enough for toddlers to run and play.
Sometimes living within a townhome or a condo community means you give up more than you realize. Probably a good thing that you are renting and not buying.
Most of my clients that enjoy townhome living do it because they don't want the maintenance of a yard and so most don't have little ones running around. Many babies and some older kids in tight spaces work well but toddlers need more space. Usually there is a playground but it isn't always convenient to leave the house to take the kids somewhere.
I had a relative that called me recently. She lives in a condo. New neighbors moved in upstairs with 2 kids. My niece has a new baby that is a light sleeper and with the 2 kids being right above the baby's bedroom, she is having trouble keeping the baby asleep.
Tough situation. The kids upstairs are probably just playing and don't even realize there is a sleeping baby below them. And is it the responsibility of their parents to have them tiptoe around? I don't think so.
Living in townhomes and condos mean you have to give a little more than having your own yard, etc. You have to be a bit more concerned with your neighbors and their enjoyment of common areas.
If you don't get anything in writing, I would probably take them to the park every other day, and then let them play where they normally do every other day (watching them like a hawk). If they are playing outside less than normal, that might keep the peace. Of course, if you get something in writing, follow it.
Children 4 & 2 should not be allowed to 'PLAY' in any area where vehicle traffic is present. Raleigh is blessed with many fantastic parks and family friendly areas. Any serious accident involving children would be devastating and life changing to everyone involved. Accidents do happen ! Most of us feel it could never happen to us BUT it can and does. Take the kids to a park.
Anybody who buys a house under the jurisdiction of an HOA is making a big mistake. You see why. These associations and their two-bit functionaries are basically midget-league fascists.
Regarding safety -- on a street with little or no traffic? Raleigh has become a city of sissies and helicopter adults, not oaks. How did earlier generations of kids survive playing stickball in streets and alleys? You can see the same mentality at work when it's time to decide whether or not to close the Wake County public schools at the first prediction of a snowflake, or "locking down" schools when a crime is committed five miles away. If a meteor hit your kid, it could be tragic, so you'd better take every precaution!
Regarding safety -- on a street with little or no traffic? Raleigh has become a city of sissies and helicopter adults, not oaks. How did earlier generations of kids survive playing stickball in streets and alleys?
I guess the fact that we were told it was always prohibited felt a bit unfair.
Was there something that led you to believe that it was okay for young children to play in the street and finding out that it is prohibited feels unfair?
I feel your pain, but also see the fear/safety issue - we just moved out of a townhouse neighborhood where children (always supervised!) played in the street, and I always had to creep home at 2mph once I hit our street for fear of killing a toddler. The parents had gone so far as to get "Caution: Children playing!" signs that they would put up every evening - I get where they're coming from, but this was the ONLY road to my home, and they were ALWAYS there from around 5pm-7pm, just when everyone else was coming home from work. I would get death glares from the parents for daring to drive home - even as I went much slower than their kids on bicycles!
That to say, it may be 50/50 on this one. If it truly is not allowed as evidenced by written covenants, it seems you may be out of luck. If it is kind of a fuzzy rule, I'd recommend talking to neighbors about their concerns and obviously as you've said, never ever ever taking your eyes off the kids even for a moment. The terror of a child suddenly appearing between cars is hard to describe - help your neighbors not have a heart attack!
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