There’s not really any easy answer to what to do about stuff like this. On one hand, it’s easier to not deal with it, and all the stuff you said is true, but on the other hand you’re putting this woman’s needs before your own which I don’t think she necessarily deserves.

On one hand having charges pressed against her seems like a bad thing, because you don’t want to take it out on the kids and she may just get pissed and not really care, but on the other hand it could have an effect on her behavior that getting away with hitting you wouldn’t have.

Occasionally, my sister’s boyfriend goes on a bout of “good behavior” after run ins with the law.

Most important is you feel safe in your home. In a lot of these cases of people yelling and cursing at kids it is not enough to get them taken away from their moms (I see it on the bus all the time it makes me wish I had a taser).

But you don’t have to be responsible for this lady’s life or rehabilitation. I just wanted to show you my solidarity in outrage on your behalf and show you my general supporty-ness.

…. words fail me!

I don’t know about the intervention in her life… they are hopefully moving out of this building, but I’m sure her life will go on more or less as it has in the past. her friends are obviously not helping her get beyond her anger or whatever problems, they’re just psyched to come over here and party on weeknights…

it’s kind of like our last neighbors, who spent a lot of time yelling and cursing at their small children (<5yrs), and (we guessed from the sound of it) smacking them around. We were relieved when they moved out, not having to listen to their abuse & frustration anymore… but it was sad knowing they were just going to keep treating their kids the same way wherever they went… Maybe we should have called DCYF on them, but we didn’t want to make assumptions and/or class-based judgment calls… maybe we should have taken more responsibility for the defenseless kids in that situation. ??

I also don’t know how to hold my neighbor responsible… her friends were all like “tell me how much the new glasses cost and I’ll pay for them”, but they were drunk, and I doubt that they’ll follow through on it if pressured. I don’t have 4-5 kids to raise (she said she has four kids, her friends said five, either way that’s a lot of kids), and ultimately I can afford new glasses, so I will probably just pay for them (after I get paid by various people, in a month or so…). do I really want to disrupt this lady’s life further by bringing a criminal charge against her for smacking me? I don’t think that will cause her to rethink her life, it’ll probably make her more pissed off and resentful. If they move out & leave us alone I will be happy…

Anyway, I totally know how to throw a punch, and I am all there if you want me to back you up. I have a new tattoo and look totally menacing.

There needs to be some kind of intervention in this woman’s life, beyond your reasoning with her. I can’t believe she broke your glasses and I hope she will be held responsible.

Much Love.
Sarah