Righto. In our street there is a little girl slightly younger than Kiera. I guess she is 7 1/2. Nice kid but screwed up family. She is the eldest of three with the other two being preschool. Her mother is a 'manager' at a strip joint in the city and works nights. Her father doesn't seem to do much but play computer games and yell at the kids.
The child in question likes Kiera and often comes over to play. She is polite and well behaved, quiet but not withdrawn. We have never had cause to be upset with her when she visits though she does want to come around an awful lot and given the circumstances at home I can't say I am surprised.
Of late there have been problems beyond your home. At school the girl is trying to monopolise Kiera's attention and many of Kiera's other friends will not have anything to do with her. Kiera was recently accused of making a prank phone call to a friend's house where a parent answered but she denies this and we have no reason not to believe her in this situation. We believe the perpetrator may have been our little friend from down the street. Kiera is uncomfortable being manipulated away from other friends and we don't like our child being implicated in events that do not likely involve her.
Sheryl and I have talked out the situation and she is in favour of banning the child from visiting and having Kiera stay away from her. Other parents have done so. I am far from happy with that scenario. My feelings are that this child needs some support and she is looking for leadership and someone to cling to. I want to invite her around this weekend, per usual, and all of us sit down and have a good talk about what behaviour is acceptable and what isn't. I want her to know that we like her coming around and that she can feel safe here. What I said to Sheryl was this. Think about all the kids that have run off the rails over the years. How many could have been saved if only someone had taken an interest in them and showed some love, respect and guidance. Turning our back is not the answer and that is where I believe our society is falling over. Too much 'not my problem'.
What do you guys think please?