In the olden days when people built houses they don't build fence, everyone can see each other. They were friends with each other, you can go out and leave you kids knowing your neighbors would look after them. You can cook and give your neighbors kids and your neighbors can cook and give your kids.
Nowadays, people always say they want to kind their business, they want to stay on their own. It has actually become normal to live beside someone for months or years and not know anything about the person. We go home, close our doors and stay on our own.
I just moved to a new place and I am still trying to settle down. The area seems peaceful and the people are friendly. Most of them have smiled and waved at me and I have greeted them in return, but honestly, I don't know them, I don't know their names, their lifestyle and I don't know what kind of people they truly are. So if anything were to happen, maybe I want to travel, or have an emergency appointment, I don't think I'll leave my children with my neighbors.
It's not that they are evil or bad people, it is just that I don't know them and trust takes time to build. I am a mother and my children's safety is very important to me, I can't just leave them with anyone that I don't know or trust. Before I can leave with kids with anyone even if it's just for few hours or minutes, I need to see how they behave, how they treat others, especially kids and we all know it's not something that can happen overnight.
I read a story a few months back about a lady that left her baby of a year plus with her neighbour and when she came back and took her baby home, the baby fell ill overnight. She later discovered that the neighbor gave the child something and that was the cause of the illness. She just moved into the neighborhood and didn't know much about the neighbor, but she trusted the neighbor blindly.
Growing up, things were really different. Neighbors were like family members, if you're playing outside and fall and get hurt, someone close by can quickly help you. Parents can go about their day without having to worry about their kids. But now, everything has changed. People are afraid. They don’t want to be misunderstood. Some fear being too friendly might invite trouble. Others just don’t care.
I believe it's important to know your neighbors be quse life is unpredictable. What if you're in danger, or there is a fire or you need urgent help? Those people closest to you are your neighbors and not your family members living far away. Having a good neighbor is a blessing.
That's why I'm making small efforts. I greet when I see them, I smile. And with time I'll begin to trust them to be able to leave my kids with them. We don’t have to be best friends with our neighbors, but knowing them a little better might bring more peace and safety. You never know when you'll need someone closeby.
Images are mine