Nosy children annoy neighbors, upset pets

Dear Annie: Several months ago, a family with four young children moved next door to us. The kids are supposedly home-schooled, but they spend hours each day riding their scooters, completely unsupervised, and spend much of their time poking into the neighbors' business, peeping and eavesdropping.
I have had at least three neighbors tell me that the 13-year-old boy stares into their houses with his face pressed up against the window. I also have noticed that when I am talking to others in my yard, these children will eavesdrop, and then offer comments and ask questions about our conversation.
The behavior that I am most concerned about is the way this same boy treats animals. I have a dog that was abused as a puppy before we adopted her from the shelter. She is deathly afraid of flashing lights, and I mentioned this to the family, asking them to please not shine flashlights or headlights at her. However, twice my dog came home shaking, and a neighbor told me this boy was purposely shining a light in my dog's face "just to mess with her." Another neighbor has a dog with an injured paw, and the boy told her to put the dog to sleep because "it's no good to anyone."
Are we wrong to be concerned? We have not talked to the parents because we aren't sure we should. What do you think? Concerned in Los Angeles
Dear Concerned: That these children spend a lot of time riding their scooters does not mean they are not being properly educated at home. However, the fact that they are getting into the neighbors' business is a problem that absolutely should be discussed with the parents. And we worry about any 13- year-old who cannot treat a dog with basic kindness.
You and the other neighbors should approach these people calmly and kindly, explaining that you know children are naturally curious, but you hope they will discourage them from peeking into your homes or abusing your pets. If that doesn't help, feel free to tell the kids to get out of your yard, stop staring into your windows and leave the dog alone, or you'll call the police. Consider it "home" schooling.
Dear Annie: I have been married for almost five years to a wonderful man I love very much. However, lately, I have been having a lot of recurring dreams where I am with other men. Most of the time, I dream about my former boyfriend, but not always. It's not necessarily sexual -- just dreams about getting back together again.
In the dreams, I feel great, and then I wake up and feel weird and guilty that I was so happy. I would never do anything like this in real life and don't understand it. I haven't told my husband because I don't want him to be upset. Is my subconscious trying to tell me something? Sleeping Beauty
Dear Sleeping: Your subconscious may be working through some stress. Has Hubby been distracted lately? Is your job a problem? Are you pregnant?
If you are happy with your husband, these dreams do not signify anything threatening to your marriage. Rest easy.
Dear Annie: I read the letter from "Tired of It," whose boss kept staring at her breasts. There was a married man at my job who would never look me in the eye. He would talk to my chest. The third time it happened, I started to swipe at my chest violently as if I had something on it. I said, "What? What?" He was so embarrassed, it never happened again.
I don't mean to make light of what is a real problem for many women, but his response was hilarious. Don't Talk to My Chest
Dear Don't: We admire the woman who can figure out her own solution to these pesky problems. Thanks for writing.
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