Giving the neighbor a snow job

If you have older neighbors do you shovel their driveway and porch?

Our next door neighbor is in her early 70s, she is recently widowed and lives alone. I was a bit shocked that none of the neighbors shoveled her driveway. We have been in our home for a little over a year but the other neighbors have lived next to her for a long time and have teenaged children. My dh and/or I have shoveled her driveway every storm we have had this year*. I thought we would have had some competition.

*I am in no way complaining about digging her out. I thought helping an older person was the norm but on my block it doesn't seem that way. I was just wondering if this was another sign that I am turning into my mother.

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

Yeah, I agree, that's pretty lame of your neighbors.

I would shovel her out too.

ETA: This situation would remind me of my own grandmother who lives alone and how thankfully she has very helpful neighbors who check in on her to make sure she's ok.

I'm greatful for them so I would want to help someone elses grandma out.

Message edited 2/3/2009 2:00:23 PM.

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

I'm amazed at how few of our neighbors do that for each other as well, DH always ends up doing it for our elderly neighbors It's just the right thing to do. Plus maybe she'll remember you in her will. We were always made do that when we were young'uns so I guess it stuck! And yes, you are becoming your mother but that's a good thing

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

I don't know why but I chuckled when I read the title of this thread!

We don't have that situation -- a young family lives on both sides of us so that isn't an issue but if it was the case then DH would definitely go over there and help them out. I always feel for the elderly - that they could use a little extra help and attention from time to time.

Message edited 2/3/2009 2:07:17 PM.

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

most of our neighbors are able to do their own walks and driveways but sometimes my DH will take the snow blower over to our next door neighbors house...he is in his 60s and will do the driveway. He tells the neighbor...Im already out here and wet, let me do it for you."

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

my mom lives with my handicapped sister and she is recently widowed and I am shocked how many people dont offer to help. DH and I live not too far as well as my bro and sil so we all pitch in. I wouldnt think twice if it were one of my neighbors.

Message edited 1/21/2010 9:52:40 AM.

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

All of my immediate neighbors have snow plows (including myself), or teenagers, so it's not an issue for me yet....

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

At my old house before I got married.
I had 3 elderly neighbors, one on either side of my house and one accross the street..I always shoveld their walks...they were always so apprecitive that I did that for them.

It made my feel good to do something nice for them, sometimes it would take me hours to clear everyone out.

They were so sad to see me move to my husbands house.

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

I usually shovel (when I have a shovel, this year I have a mop???) my neighbor who is 85 and lives with her 50 yr old daughter. The daughter works, but I feel compelled to do it, just in case she (the 85yr old) has to get out for some reason. Good for you!

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

My neighbor had a heart attack and even though he isn't "old", he shouldn't be shovelling, so I shovel his sidewalk as well.

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by DaniRella

I don't know why but I chuckled when I read the title of this thread!

yeah, catherine would never word the title of her thread like that on PURPOSE

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

What is funny is that my parents, who are in their 60s, always shovel out the neighbors who are not much older than them! LOL

Now DH does our home and one of the neighbors got a snowblower so he does the whole sidewalk, which is very nice ( and looks like fun! )

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

I live upstate, am currently 9 months pregnant, and my DH has been away in military training all winter.

I live in a community of new homes, mostly young families and I have been surprised that no one (including my own brother and SIL and their 13 yr old son who live nearby) has shoveled my short walkway to my front door all winter. I actually did it myself a few times.

I did hire someone to plow my driveway when it snows and I have unfortunately learned not to expect anything from anyone!

ETA: I always grew up helping out my neighbors shovel. Even when I was in my teens I would help my neighbor who was in his late 30's after I did our driveway!

Message edited 2/3/2009 3:00:35 PM.

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

It is amazing - on my block, my DH is the only one (besides one older man) that will help out with shoveling.

My next door neighbor - is older, has heart problems, so my DH mows his lawn and shovels for him for the most part.

The neighbor next to him is always outside doing stuff outside, he is older, but he will help out the guy across the street from him (a young guy that is in a wheelchair).

We have about 10 kids that live surrounding these house I spoke about and they don't even help their own parents with shoveling.

It is amazing how many people don't ever help.

While I was growing up, there were so many of us that would go out and help each other - we had fun doing it

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

Posted by MeNBobs

Posted by 1stimemom

I usually shovel (when I have a shovel, this year I have a mop???)

BABY COME BACK

IMAGE

Message edited 1/21/2010 9:53:38 AM.

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

Living in California, I no longer have to shovel - but if I did, you can bet I'd be helping the neighbors who needed it. My parents made us do it when we were younger, and I'm glad they did. It's a shame to hear these stories about the neighborhood teens not helping.

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

My mother is a widow living alone. Her next door neighbor who has been there for years breaks out his snowblower every time it snows and will only do his own property.

It bugs me. Him and his wife retired early, are home all day long. I think they could help out - maybe not everytime it snows, but once in a while - but they don't.

DH goes over there and does it for her, or she does do it herself.

I don't know why I am surprised. My mom's house caught fire last year due to an electrical wire coming down in a storm. This same neighbor went across the street to take pictures and sell them to Newsday. Never once inquired if she was ok, never even walked over to us while we were standing on the front lawn.

Some people just can't be bothered to help others.

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

Re: Giving the neighbor a snow job

Posted by MeNBobs

Posted by 1stimemom

I usually shovel (when I have a shovel, this year I have a mop???)

BABY COME BACK

IMAGE

Message edited 2/3/2009 3:27:12 PM.