Getting along with neighbors
Sometimes your neighbors become much like family. You rely on them on occasion, and you enjoy their company. However, what happens when you get in a tiff with your neighbors? What about when your neighbors overstep their bounds? The fact is, getting along with neighbors is not always easy, and because you have to live with them as neighbors, it can be good to know how to handle things.
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1. Give yourselves some distance. Neighbors, while wonderful to have, can also be a bit too much sometimes, so while it can be nice to have someone over for dinner, or a carpool buddy, or someone to shoot the breeze with, it is also important to remember that you have your own family, your own space, and need your own life. Do not become so dependent on a neighbor that you can't live your own life. It is important when trying to get along with neighbors, to retain your individual space and identities.
2. Set some boundaries. While neighbors can be almost like family, it is always good to have some boundaries that are still in place. This helps keep the friendship from deteriorating by keeping rules in place, and proper conduct clear. For example, you may walk into your parent's home with out knocking, but you don't want your neighbors to feel comfortable doing that in your home. You may not care when family borrows something without asking, but the neighbors should always ask. Etc. These are just a few silly examples, but the fact is, if you set boundaries early, you will not struggle with those kind of issues later because a neighbor will never do something thinking it is okay unless you neglect to be clear on whether or not it actually is. For example, if you let them get away with it once, they will do it again and again. So, if they borrow your lawn mower without asking, and then say, "You weren't home, so we figured you wouldn't mind." You can respond, "Oh I don't, but here is my cell number for in the future."
3. Include them in fun times, but not every time. It is great to have a friendly rapport with your neighbors, and occasionally have neighborhood get togethers, BBQs, or sit out on your porches talking, but make sure that you have some time that is just for you as well. You do not have to invite them over every time you grill, or every time you are out in your yard. This goes along well with boundaries, and giving yourself some distance. It is a vital part of having happy, productive, relationships with neighbors.
If you have annoying or rude neighbors, just smile and give yourself some distance. Be polite to them, do not talk bad about them with other neighbors, but not invite them to be a part of your life either.
