Her Quiet Porch Beckons Constant Visitation From Neighbor With Special Needs, But the Decision She Must Make Could Change Their Community Forever.

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In a harmonious neighborhood, the Original Poster (OP) finds their tranquility disrupted by their special needs neighbor, whose consistent, uninvited presence on their front porch has become overbearing. OP’s struggle to reconcile their need for personal space with empathy for the neighbor becomes a stressor in her otherwise peaceful home.

The Tranquil Neighborhood

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In the peaceful neighborhood where OP lives, a young special needs man resides nearby with his grandmother. The young man spends his days driving around in an ATV, an activity that generally causes no distress to the neighbors. However, the neighborly friendship starts to become a burden as the young man develops a routine of stopping by OP’s house.

The Unexpected Visitor

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The young man’s visits begin as a harmless curiosity, stopping by OP’s house whenever they or their children are outside. His quiet presence becomes a regular part of their outdoor activities. With time, the visits grow into an uncomfortable pattern that OP and their children find difficult to deal with.

The Strain of Company

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Despite their initial acceptance, OP’s children start to feel shy and awkward due to the young man’s persistent presence. His inability to pick up on social cues makes it even more challenging to navigate. This discomfort starts impacting their desire to spend time outside.

Young And Naive

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OP has a five-year-old and an eight-year-old, and her neighbor is around 25 years old. Because of this, OP is somewhat uncomfortable with having him around them frequently. As kids, they don’t know any better, but OP feels the need to set a boundary.

The Unspoken Tension

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As the young man’s visits continue, OP finds herself at a loss on how to handle the situation, fearing any direct confrontation might hurt the young man or his grandmother.

The Burden of Loneliness

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OP grows empathetic towards the young man, suspecting his repetitive visits stem from loneliness. She tries to understand his perspective, but the constant invasion of their private space tests their patience.

The Struggle for Solitude

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OP yearns for time alone with her family, an essential part of their daily life now severely disrupted by the young man’s constant presence. The once peaceful outdoor sessions become awkward and stressful.

The Silent Stare

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The young man’s peculiar habit of silently staring at OP and her family during his visits adds to their discomfort. Her young children don’t understand why he is behaving in this way. It makes communication challenging.

The Call for Action

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Faced with the increasing discomfort and the impact on their children, OP feels the urgency to address the situation. She pondered whether to approach the young man or his grandmother. OP is fearful of upsetting the young man or his caretaker but feels it is necessary.

The Question of Frequency

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She is considering requesting a reduction in the frequency of his visits, hoping it will provide some relief. She is hopeful that this would be a better balance. She doesn’t want to completely dismiss her neighbor, but she would prefer it if it wasn’t every time she stepped out of her door.

The Risk of Misinterpretation

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OP worries that their concerns may be misconstrued as insensitivity towards the young man’s special needs. This has never been an issue for OP. In fact, she found this a valuable life skill for her children.

The Inevitable Confrontation

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As the discomfort grows, OP realizes that a confrontation, however difficult, is inevitable. The contemplation of this impending conversation weighs heavy on their conscience.

The Resolution

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Despite her fears, OP realizes they must address the issue for her family’s sake. She prepares herself to speak with the young man and his grandmother, bringing about a resolution to their predicament. She hopes to back outside with her children soon.

Was Telling Her Special Needs Neighbor Not To Come By As Often Appropriate?

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The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “You and your kids should be comfortable in your own home.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote: “You should have a talk with him and his grandmother, saying that he should wait to be invited to spend time on your property.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person states, “You’re not being malicious or mean. Frankly, his grandmother should be arranging for him to have more activities so that he isn’t lonely.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another viewpoint on the story: “Don’t expect him to figure out how often is appropriate. You could mention to the grandmother that it would be no more than once a week or once a month or whatever.”