Annie’s Mailbox: Bullying runs in family next door

Dear Annie: My 8-year-old son was recently being bullied by a neighbor’s daughter. We were good friends with these neighbors, so we talked to them. They were in denial about the bullying and refused to discuss it. Eventually, it became so bad that it affected my son’s schoolwork and I had to turn to the school authorities for help. That’s when the trouble increased tenfold.

Now my son is constantly harassed by this girl and her three siblings. They yell, sometimes profanity, and make noises at him and at me. I can’t walk my toddler down the street without them being nasty to me, often blocking my path or nearly running into us. I tried to talk to the father, but he said, “We’re done with you,” and walked away. We cannot look out the window without being mooned or gestured at. The mother just laughs.

We have discussed moving, but it’s expensive and may not be an option. Now that summer is here, things are only getting worse. What can I do to protect my children and be able to enjoy the outdoors again? – Bullied in the ‘Burbs

Dear Bullied: We are horrified that parents would encourage their children to behave so abysmally, especially toward neighbors and presumed friends. Apparently, immature behavior runs in the family. Don’t let them run you out of town. If they are physically harassing you, notify the police. You may need to take out a restraining order. Do not become personally confrontational or angry. Ignore them as best you can, but stand firm and teach your children to do the same.

Dear Annie: I have an aunt who often forwards e-mail jokes and other garbage. Usually, I delete them, but “Aunt Sue” is a major link in keeping our family together, so I occasionally open her e-mails because they seem important to her. Among the poems and dumb photographs are sometimes extremely offensive commentaries.

After the Virginia Tech murders, she sent me a sarcastic photograph against gun control. I e-mailed back, “You really shouldn’t send me political topics unless you want a healthy discussion on it. Here is my opinion on gun control.” And I sent her a link to one of my favorite sites.

Well, I got back three rapid-fire e-mails about the need to “respect your elders” and some caustic comments that I made her angry. My husband says to ignore her tirade and stop opening her forwarded messages. What do you think? – Amanda in Indiana

Dear Amanda: There’s no point arguing gun control with Aunt Sue. She has no interest in your opinion. If you think it is necessary to apologize, say you are sorry for losing your temper, which is true and will smooth her ruffled feathers. Beyond that, we’re with your husband.