I live in a rural area, and have only one close neighbour. And they have a daughter only 6 months younger than my son, so the 3 kids play with each other often.

Although I really like the neighbours (NB), they are different than us. Their DD was a oops, 15 years younger than their son.

Both NBs have their own business, and the house they live in is probably 40 years old and has issues. Our house is only 11 years old is much larger.

Their yard is constantly under construction, with wood piles, dirt piles, lots of cars and equipment laying around. Our yard is clear of piles and junk cars.

They have a lot of "toys", like a camping trailer, 2 boats, new truck, kid sized quad, video game system, satellite dish, Tivo type system, fast internet, fancy sauna, just got 6 year old DD an Ipod, etc. We don't have any of that. Okay, we have a boat, but it's 30+ years old, lives at MIL's cabin, and barely moves. I have free to air TV only, and slow dial up internet. My splurge would be having horses.

My kids go to swimming lessons each fall, I joined a moms & tots group, both have taken gymnastics and go to playschool, and both are now in karate. DS has friends that come over or he goes to their house. NB's DD never has friends over (except my kids), did one year of playschool, then skipped kindergarten and went straight to grade 1, never took swimming lessons, never did any other activities until this winter when she did ice skating...

I'm not sure where I'm going with this!

I don't do the keeping up with the Jones thing, but sometimes I feel like the neighbours are trying to out do us. I don't know why? They like to spend their money, while I'm trying not to spend too much. We stay home. They go out all the time and use babysitters.

I'm not jealous of them. If anything, I feel bad for their DD. She seems like an afterthought sometimes. Like they didn't change their lifestyle to include her. My life style totally changed when I had kids.

Okay, I'm really not sure how to say what I'm feeling about the whole thing. But again, I really *like* my neighbours, it just feels like there is a rivalry between us.

Comments:

That's very interesting. For a moment there when you were describing all the toys, I thought you were talking about my aunt n' uncle who live in Alberta ('cept they're up near Edmonton.) Sometimes I wonder if they have more money than brains, and my aunt never fails to tell me exactly how much my uncle makes working in the oil fields. Well, good for him... but I'd like to keep my soul, thankyouverymuch.

comment by mellowdee on June 11, 2008 3:17 PM ()

reply by imaginaryfriend on June 12, 2008 10:04 PM ()

comment by janetk on June 11, 2008 5:39 AM ()

Oh, I like that. Selectively poor. As soon as I had kids, and lost my income, I became very selective. Too bad they don't sell hay and oats at thrift stores.

reply by imaginaryfriend on June 12, 2008 10:07 PM ()

Well, at least you know your neighbors. Do you talk or socialize to/with them?

comment by solitaire on June 8, 2008 6:00 AM ()

I know the neighbours quite well, and talk to them nearly everyday. They come to my yard in the morning for the school bus, and the kids are always playing together.

reply by imaginaryfriend on June 12, 2008 10:13 PM ()

comment by angiedw on June 7, 2008 3:05 AM ()

They had their first kid when they were very young, so they aren't that much older than us. That is probably true about their priorities. I can't believe how much "stuff" they buy this kid. And I think they have her in various summer camps for 5 or 6 weeks. They are using them as childcare for the summer.

reply by imaginaryfriend on June 12, 2008 10:17 PM ()

I know what your talking about.Kinda the same thing here at my house.I say at home with 16 mth old and 9yr old.It can get crazy.I would like to build a house on some woods and all alone...

comment by fobstateside on June 6, 2008 7:25 PM ()

Oh, a house in the woods would be lovely. The west coast of Vancouver Island would be perfect.

reply by imaginaryfriend on June 12, 2008 10:18 PM ()