My opinion (as a father of a 7, 11 and 13 y/o, and also someone who knows you from nostr and assuming that you are a good person who is trying to be a good neighbor etc) is that you should be fine to continue the relationship as long as you just keep trying to meet his parents.

This is a difficult one. Maybe tell the kid you feel you are overstepping without being able to talk to his parents and can he please orchestrate a meeting? Maybe that is too advanced for a 10 yo, but any little meeting would be fine, even "randomly" at grocery store etc.

I don’t want to assume the worst but maybe there’s abuse or at least neglect. He may be reaching out and you feel safe to him.

I totally get you are in an uncomfortable position. Maybe write a note and slip it in the mailbox. The kid may just need to feel safe and cared for

Keep being there for him, seems he needs you. I would try to ask some basics about his parents, ‘when are they usually home’, ‘do they live close?’

Maybe try walking him home someday to try and meet them?

If not there, ask if he is usually alone at home? I’d do this to try to find a better time to meet them and see if there could be any more serious issues.

I would make it clear what your intentions are in writing somewhere (prepare for possible recoil one day!)

As crap as it sounds it could be taken a few different waysby outsiders.

Aside from that if you enjoy hanging out then all good. He soubds like he needs some attention which isn't unusual for kids. If they don't find it at home they will go out and find it in friends, mentors, gangs, sports etc.

What does he like doing? Could always teach alittle Austrian economics every so often 😂😂😜

I personally would try to psychoanalyse a bit and see where you can help (assuming you want to).

I def wouldn't let a 10 year oid hang out with strangers but then its hard cos who knows what the parents situation is.

As a dad I would keep making attempts at meeting the parents, ask neighbors if they know how to contact the parents. See if you can get the kid to set up a time to meet them or at least what time they get home from work generally. I would stay in visible to the public areas because I'm paranoid, and I'm always trying to be ready for, as mentioned, possible recoil.

I think what you're doing for the kid is solid though and it seems like he's lonely and needs someone to show interest in his life, and provide guidance.

Or he's a plant and casing the joint. See paranoid with strong distrust of people lol.

Really tough, but you've already identified the likely root cause of the behaviour to be parental apathy, so in my mind it's your duty to be as good an example of neighbourly benevolence as possible to make sure the kid doesn't feel rejected and fall into antisocial attitudes the way so many young men do.

Beyond that, the problem becomes how to handle the natural growth of the relationship; the more time you spend together, you would expect to become friendly and share more intimate time (meals, leisure, etc.) together, but obviously that seems to undermine his parents and could be construed as inappropriate.

You'd have to draw the line at strictly "neighbourly" activities, which might make him feel rejected at certain moments, but maybe you could try hosting some social events for the neighbourhood at your place to try to break the ice with the parents and maybe try to and share the load of mentoring the kid to the rest of the community?

Good luck, and good on you for your concern for your neighbours!

We have a similar situation with an 8 year old boy on our street. Unfortunately, in these type of scenarios, they are probably just seeking some attention of any kind and someone to have a relationship with. I've spoken with his mother and it seems clear that she's not very involved. Although it is not my and the other neighbor's responsibility, I hope that our involvement has a positive impact on his life. If you don't mind his presence, I'm sure that he will appreciate and remember your kindness. But it can be a slippery slope in terms of boundaries.

Just be one of those people we look back at fondly and wish we could thank for helping us when we needed it.

I was this kid, but it was with the elderly neighbor next door and he clearly understood our situation. It was also the early 80’s, things were much different than. Most kids I knew were latch key. He was very kind and I will never forgot him. Now that I think of it he had a profound impact for the positive on my life.

i would keep letting him hang and just keep an ear/eye out for any causes for concern. odds are he will eventually feel comfortable enough to tell you more about his situation without you even having to probe. (it could just be a case of a latchkey kid with loser parents)

Id let him hang around but make it a point to meet parents asap. If he has a chance to come over, that means he has the option to go anywhere else. Better safe helping out than out and about doing god knows what.

U seem to be fulfilling a need. i would let it flow naturally if cool. Happy/good exchange.

It takes a village.

You seem like a positive responsible adult for him to be around

Teach him everything you know and be as much of a positive influence on him as you can be. Meeting the parents will eventually come and you'll find out more in due time

Put him on one of these and use his tiny legs to secretly mine BTC

Teach him how to cook like you, stack like you and you will have been his guardian Angel 🤙

Be his friend. You may be in the process of changing his life.

Can I come hang, I’m pretty handy too, i can help with dishes and I have much to learn. :)

Sounds like the kid needs a mother figure and sadly, he’s not getting that at home. He’s lucky you’re a good person and the kid isn’t hanging out with someone who would take advantage of him. Just be careful that you don’t get blamed if something goes wrong. That would be my biggest concern.

Definitely would make contact with the parent(s).

talk to his parents

URGENT.

Any update for the curious? (Obviously you owe us nothing and I respect your privacy)