Block Parent Program

We have lived here 2+ years now, and I think I've met one neighbor once, but I have no idea what his name is. So no, no block parents here.

Never heard of it. Where I live it is not needed because all the parents are "helicopter" parents. Down at the bus stop every day, there must be at least 10 cars!! Kids are it allowed to walk 1/2 block. I live in a development with lots of houses. We are not only talking 6 year old kids but even the middle school kids get picked up. So no need for Block Parent.

Never heard of it. Heck, I've never even talked to my neighbors.

Never heard of block parent program. Neighborhood watch,yes. Block Parent Program-no.

I would never put up a sign that says " come to if you need help" It sounds weird. I don't think any child would read that and think, "oh good, someone to help me"..Not anymore. I am sure you mean well and all, but nowadays, no one is that trusting.

There was never a block parent when I was a kid, nor when my older two were kids, and there isn't now. What would be the point, if a kid gets hurt they go into the closest home of a kid they are playing with. That seems better than a block parent. You play in or around one of the kids homes so why walk down the street to some designated person. Just seems more confusing.

Unless my kids knew the kids and parents in a home there is no way they would go into a home that says come on in my home is safe. Sorry but that sounds like predator talk. I know you are not but look at your sign, wouldn't that be a great way to get kids in your house to do them harm?

We don't. I actually have not heard of that. We didn't have this when I was little either. Though, when I was little, everyone knew everyone and if you did something you should not have, your mom knew about it.

I am a stay at home mom -- there are a lot of SAHM and dads in our neighborhood. I've never heard of this. But if my child doesn't know someone and doesn't have my permission even if they do, they don't go in their house, no matter what the sign (especially if there's a sign) says. No more than I would allow them to get in a car because someone says they have candy.

I don't like the idea.

We do have the program here. It is through the school and they like at least one parent from every street to sign up. The program is run by the police department so you and all of the adults in your house need to be screened by the police before you are given the sign. You also have to renew and have your background checked every few years.

In the 5 years I have been a block parent, no one has ever come and needed aid. I've pondered not renewing, but I suppose from you post I do see some value and will probably renew.

I remember they had them when I was a child - in the 60's. I don't think they do it here anymore. It would be a good thing to get going - I know my daughter would have used it when the bullies were chasing her home after school!

When I was a kid it was called the blue star program. People willing and able to help had a picture of a blue star in their front window. I don't seem to see those anymore, either.

Do we have 'Block Parents'? No, never heard of them. But, my kids certainly know our neighbors, and when we go for walks together, I point out houses where they know people, and we talk about how, if there was ever a problem, it would be ok to go to thoses houses to get help.

I've never heard of it, but I grew up in a rural community. I think it sounds like a lovely idea.

Opening your home to someone in need is very different than being an open door for solicitors or people who drop by unannounced expecting to be entertained and offered a snack at their leisure.

I think most people wouldn't turn away someone in need. Again, I think that is completely different than what the other poster was describing.

No...but we do have a Neighborhood Watch Program. It is overseen by the Police Dept. But it has to do with reporting suspicious behavior/crime prevention.

I am a SAHM. I know the kids in our neighborhood and the parents. We all have a relationship with each other so kids know they could come to each other for a bandaid, drink of water or to use the bathroom or phone. Neighborhood kids are running in and out of our home when the weather is nice....and when kids are not in after school daycare/extracurricular programs.

I would be so sad to live in a neighborhood where no one knew each other. We have block parties, take meals or treats to each other "just because" and check up on one another. It makes our neighborhood a community of people who care about each other....rather than just a bunch of homes next to eachother with people inside.

Wow! I'm surprised this is so unfamiliar to people. I grew up in southeastern WI and walked home a mile from school when I was in first grade. Even though we knew our neighbors, we certainly didn't know everyone on that mile walk home, so I was always thankful for those Block Parent houses--they were a simple outline of a home, on an orange background, and displayed in the windows. I was a "kid" in the 80's walking home; I suppose most parents these days wouldn't let their kids walk a mile home from school at 6 years old, so the need for Blcok Parents is probably not real high.

I remember that from when I was a kid. Just hearing about it vs we had one. It's such a nice thing. We don't have one now but at least we do know tons of neighbors. So no one official but I wouldn't be surprised if a child came to our door if needed and my kids would have several houses to go to as well. It's why we live where we do! I thnk it's great for kids to have other houses that welcome them.

I have never heard of this. :)

And no offense...I know you mean well and if your whole neighborhood knows you, I imagine it's different...but if *I* saw a sign in a window saying "Go ahead, kids, come to my house...it's a safe place" I would probably call the cops. Sad, isn't it? But that's the kind of neighborhood I live in.

Interesting. Not a bad idea but we really don't need it here. My daughter has about over 15 or more friends all around the neighborhood and she is usually with a friend. So for instance if she fell off her bike she would go to her friends house or come back home for that. I guess my neighborhood doesn't really need a block parent. We are close enough with our neighbors (we don't hang out but the normal chit chat if you see them outside) and I'm 'close' enough with the parents friends,if she has an issue it can be taken care of. Now we do have an hoa and if there is any crime in the area( not major) then we receive an email from one of the homeowners. It seems like a great idea for your neighborhood. I just don't think it is needed here.

I think it is wonderful that you have that in your neighborhood. We don't have that where we live but it would be awesome if we did. We don't have many children living near us.

Never heard of it either but it sounds like a wonderful idea! Sadly I don't know many of my neighbors at all. There are 14 houses on my street - I know the names of the people in the 4 houses across the street and the two next to me. I couldn't pick the rest of my neighbors out of a line up. I lived in my house for 4 years before realizing that one of my back-fence neighbors goes to my church and that we've worked on some committees together.

Not officially, but I have been a licensed home child care provider for 15 years (and did daycare for a few of the neighbors during that time), but it was KNOWN by all and agreed upon that I was a Safe Place to go to for such needs by the local kids. There were a few SAHM, but they generally worked PT so were not always home as I was.

Ours was just a neighborhood discussed thing. A few parents asked me if it was ok in such instances and if they were not home, etc. Spare keys were left with me in case their kids lost them so they could still get in, they could use my phone, get the bandaid, ask for help. Even had one come ask how to use the fire extinguisher once! OMG Um NO!!! It was a call to 911 that day and sadly one of my own daycare families was a fireman so when he saw the call come in to my address he PANICKED!! He thought my house was on fire with his boys in it!! Turned out to be an electrical fire that got out of hand very quickly so it was good the kid came to my place!!

It worked for us but we were a connected neighborhood.

They had this program when I was young. It was nice knowing where the block parent houses were in case I needed help when walking from our house to friends' houses. I think it's a great program. Currently I'm in a small neighborhood and the kids all know the parents. I feel comfortable calling all the houses (five) block parent houses. The kids are young enough to only play in this neighborhood. I think it's great that you are the designated block parent.