Too Friendly

It has been observed by my husband and myself that our son is very friendly. This really surprises us as we are both quiet people and it seems strange to have such an outgoing little man.

Whenever we are outside, and the neighbors are outside too, Daniel can be found as close to the fence as one can get.  This may mean he is climbing the fence, or whatever is nearest the fence. He is insistent that he must get to the neighbors, (it would appear the grass is greener over there) Our neighbors to the left of us also have a little girl, and Daniel likes going and playing with her toys.But the neighbors behind us don't have any small children and Daniel likes going to their house anyway.

I know it is good that Janis has such good neighbors. I have never lived in one place long enough to really know my neighbors. But I still don't like my son liking going to the neighbors' so much. The difficult part is getting him home again. Once he has been permitted to go the neighbors' house he screams when being brought home again.

Janis and I have talked about what to do about this "problem." The easiest thing would be to not let him go to the neighbor's house to play. If he isn't allowed to go, then we don't have to deal with the temper tantrum of bringing him home. However, we do want to be kind and friendly to our neighbors. Sometimes they lift him over the fence, without asking us. (I don't like that at all).

I must make it clear that we have very kind neighbors. Janis has lived here his entire life, and so the older generation has seen him grow up. However, our neighbors are not church going people, or believers as far as I can tell. I feel in a pickle. I want to be a light, but want to also guard my son. He isn't even two years old yet!!

So, that is the news about our very friendly little son. What would you do?