I find myself on both sides of this story.
1: My children were in a similar situation when they were very young. We lived in a very rural community and there was only one other little girl who lived near enough to play. She was something else, inviting one over then ignoring him or coming over to our house just to play with their things but not let them play too (with their own toys & pets!) Then pit one sibling against the other. Even though this was the ONLY child to play with, I had to tell my young children that a true friend would not act like that. A true friend is loyal, loving, shares and is not malicous. It was hard for them to understand at the time that I was trying to protect them from becoming a teen / adult who thinks abusive behavior is normal. I didn't want my son growing up thinking women who walk all over him are OK. My kids know what a healthy relationship is because I taught them at a young age.
2: I have a special needs child, a daughter born very late in life. To me she seems so normal, but I find myself confronted with a reality check whenever a friend comes over to play ( which unfortunately is not very often) I may always have to prepare her food because of her physical disabilaties and it is has become routine around our house. She can make a bowl of cereal, a peanutbutter sandwich or get a snack out of the fridge but can't make microwave popcorn. I want her to have friends like a normal child but like someone else posted - kids her age are more mature than she is and she may never catch up to them. It puts us in a position to invite younger children over to play. She wants to be around kids her own age though.
Create your boundries then stick with them. It is best for your family. Remember: Your children are your responsibility to raise, and Hers are hers. I'm all about helping out a friend or neighbor but not at the expense of the mental / physical health of my own family.
1: My children were in a similar situation when they were very young. We lived in a very rural community and there was only one other little girl who lived near enough to play. She was something else, inviting one over then ignoring him or coming over to our house just to play with their things but not let them play too (with their own toys & pets!) Then pit one sibling against the other. Even though this was the ONLY child to play with, I had to tell my young children that a true friend would not act like that. A true friend is loyal, loving, shares and is not malicous. It was hard for them to understand at the time that I was trying to protect them from becoming a teen / adult who thinks abusive behavior is normal. I didn't want my son growing up thinking women who walk all over him are OK. My kids know what a healthy relationship is because I taught them at a young age.
2: I have a special needs child, a daughter born very late in life. To me she seems so normal, but I find myself confronted with a reality check whenever a friend comes over to play ( which unfortunately is not very often) I may always have to prepare her food because of her physical disabilaties and it is has become routine around our house. She can make a bowl of cereal, a peanutbutter sandwich or get a snack out of the fridge but can't make microwave popcorn. I want her to have friends like a normal child but like someone else posted - kids her age are more mature than she is and she may never catch up to them. It puts us in a position to invite younger children over to play. She wants to be around kids her own age though.
Create your boundries then stick with them. It is best for your family. Remember: Your children are your responsibility to raise, and Hers are hers. I'm all about helping out a friend or neighbor but not at the expense of the mental / physical health of my own family.
