We recently moved into a new neighborhood, excited to watch our kids grow up there. One evening, while my children were playing happily in our fenced backyard, I got the shock of my life—Child Protective Services showed up at our door. My heart sank. I was terrified thinking something terrible had happened or that they were in danger. The social worker gently asked my kids if they felt safe, and to my relief, they said yes. Then came the surprise: the social worker mentioned a call from a frustrated new neighbor saying we left our kids unattended just for playing in our own yard. I was stunned. How could playing outside in their secure backyard be seen as neglect?
The neighbor confessed they couldn’t tolerate the noise and had called CPS over what seemed like such a petty issue. What started as a scary CPS visit quickly turned into a lesson about how some adults overreact and how tensions between neighbors can escalate unnecessarily. It was a reminder of how the perspective of adults can sometimes skew the reality of a child’s joyful play.
I stood firm in defending my kids because they were completely safe—laughing, running, and playing where they had every right to be. This ordeal made me realize how important it is to advocate for our children and resist overly protective or nosy behaviors from others. Kids need freedom and space for a healthy, happy childhood, especially in their own home.
From this experience, I learned to be prepared and calm when outsiders question parental decisions. I hope my story encourages other parents not to let fear or judgment rob their kids of the simple joys of childhood. Sometimes, we need to remind others that normal, safe play is just that—normal and safe.
