My neighbors have a garbage house
We have a wonderful relationship with our neighbors. They have 3 kids (8,3,2) who our son loves to play with. Also, they have a killer yard with a swing set, sand box and 2 dogs, one a cocker spaniel and the other a beagle.
Last weekend, they took a family vacation to Rocky Mountain Nat. Park and left the 2 dogs at home for a couple of friends to watch (let in and out). The first days went fine. It wasn't until I heard them barking at 10:30 on Tuesday night that I decided that their "sitter" must have forgotten about them. Trying to be a good neighbor, I took it upon my self to let the dogs in the house. When I opened the back door which I prayed was unlocked, I was taken back by the status of the house. First of all, there was an odor that almost caused me to gag. Seconly, it was trashed! My first thought was, just get the dogs some food and water and get out. Well, on my way to try to find a faucet to fill their water dish with, I passed into the kitchen and was shocked at the filth. Ketchup on a plate on the table, peanut butter jar on the counter- open, food everywhere, crap everywhere...all I wanted to do was clean ( and I am not a cleaning freak).I know that cleanliness is not one of their strengths as the dog yard is rarely picked up but I assumed that with three children, you would have to have some order in the house.
Their children are always sick from one thing or another and now I know why. Yikes!
They are due back today and I will tell them about letting the dogs in and out but will probably not mention the shock at the condition of the house. Or should I? My thought is that hopefully, they will know that I was in their house and probably saw the mess and be embarrassed enough to do something..... At least I don't have to worry about keeping up with these Jones'.
Gross. Don't let your kid eat over there. You can't really say anything because it won't change their behavior and it will just make them dislike you.
Have you ever seen the How Clean is Your House show on BBC America?! I LOOOOOVE it, these two no-nonsense ladies go into hovels of all sorts and shame the owners into cleaning them. I am no longer shocked by the amount of crap that people learn to mentally block. Maybe you should suggest them for the show.
http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/100/tips.jsp
I have considered that as I too love that show. It always reminds me that as messy as my house feels, it's really not all that bad in the scope of things. Thanks for the link.
Nasty. I actually have an uncle that is that filthy. When I babysat, there would be a path through the clutter from one room to the next. (shudder!) One year, the whole family got hepitits from eating off unwashed dishes. He's divorced now.
Definately don't let your kids eat there.
If you have read anything about these houses, you know that it's often a sign of depression or other problems. Your neighbors aren't going to benefit from you stigmatizing them, talking to others about it or guilting them in any way, but they may appreciate some genuine help. If you are friends with them, maybe you could open up a conversation about this? I don't know. I have a friend with this problem and it's really debilitating and hard to get through to him, but when we offered to help him get rid of things and clean with him, it was welcomed.
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