4-year-old kids and Wild Squirrels, a neighbor's concern...

[Rocky1]

The set up and situation:
My building has 3 floors. I live on the 3rd floor, but the neighbors directly below me on the 1st floor have a 4-year-old kid and are worried about the squirrels potentially panicking and harming their child. Squirrels like to hangout on my balcony which is directly above and attached to the first floor's back porch. First floor neighbors said they put fox urine on their back porch to keep the squirrels away (which didn't work) because they are worried about the kid and squirrels combo. (The kid loves cute furry creatures.) I am unsure if the parents are over-reacting. I would prefer for this to get better rather than escalate.

What suggestions and relevant information do you have?

My thoughts:
I might try to warm the parents up to the idea of wildlife by finding some kind of wildlife activity around here near Belmont, MA, that is designed for, and safe for, small kids. Other than that, I'm not sure what to do. I wish I could have the squirrels up here, and not down there, but that may not be an option... Eventually, I may reduce any activities up here that may be attracting them. For now, I am concerned about a skinny squirrel and about a sneezing one and want to make sure they are okay over the winter. (I guess, I may have concerns almost every season: Winter=staying warm, Summer=staying cool and hydrated, Spring=having enough to eat, etc. So maybe I am too concerned.)

[Milo's Mom]

uhm, what happened to the second floor?

[stosh2010]

Having wild squirrels that are not wary of you-- due to feedings and care, may cause them to feel they can enter the 1 st. fl. porch also. you can not educate a 4 year old to keep away and not touch or grab at a squirrel.
A squirrel scratch or bite is not easily forgiven when you are not a "squirrel lover" (aka-your neighbors)

[island rehabber]

:goodpost

It is unfortunate, but once other humans in your immediate living area start objecting to the squirrels, it's you that has to change your behavior and not them. You can't control the squirrels and you can't control stupid people or their kids...and in their irrational fear they may do something to harm the squirrels, like getting the super to poison them :(

[Rocky1]

uhm, what happened to the second floor?

Second floor has a balcony as well that is attached to my balcony and the first floor's porch. Luckily second floor neighbor is laid back and doesn't care either way about this.

Another thought I had was to recommend a cute guinea pig or hamster next time I visit with the first floor parents. (I saw a very cute on at Petco the other day... and when I was young, my neighbors loved their guinea pig...) My motive is to hope that there is an animal quota and that this would, 1. make getting a cat or dog less likely, and 2. provide a positive introduction to the order rodenta.

[astra]

Second floor has a balcony as well that is attached to my balcony and the first floor's porch. Luckily second floor neighbor is laid back and doesn't care either way about this.

Another thought I had was to recommend a cute guinea pig or hamster next time I visit with the first floor parents. (I saw a very cute on at Petco the other day... and when I was young, my neighbors loved their guinea pig...) My motive is to hope that there is an animal quota and that this would, 1. make getting a cat or dog less likely, and 2. provide a positive introduction to the order rodenta.

Ditto to what everyone said.

As for a hamster or g.pig - these are not peace offerings or toys. Talking on an animal esp. So specific as a hamster or a g.pig should come from the people who will keep them. Bringing them as a gift will most likely result in animal neglect.
Hamsters and g. Pigs need attention and quality time, too.
Not a good choice for a child.
It is also good for these animals to have a companion friend.
Can it be guaranteed that these people will dedicate time, attention and
effort to provide them with the care they need?
Unless people want them themselves and are wiling to care for them, such "gifts" will be like poor Easter bunnies - when ppl gift a live bunny because it's cute and them the bunny is on Craigslist because no one wants it.

Will be better to find another way to appease/work with these people.

P.s. Also if this hamster or g.pig bites the child, those animals will not be treated welll
Ps pardon the typos - on a device

[Rocky1]

Astra: My post has no mention of appeasing or buying gifts. Your comment that guinea pigs and hamsters are NOT good for small children will be taken into consideration. And I appreciate your mentioning that. This neighborhood is full of small kids and the parents tend to copy one another. An alternative to a cat or dog or "ground predator" would be excellent. Just can't think of a good one for kids if guinea pigs and hamsters are out of the equation. I visit with my first floor neighbors regularly and have every opportunity to influence if I can think of a decent idea.

[astra]

Astra: My post has no mention of appeasing or buying gifts. Your comment that guinea pigs and hamsters are NOT good for small children will be taken into consideration. And I appreciate your mentioning that. This neighborhood is full of small kids and the parents tend to copy one another. An alternative to a cat or dog or "ground predator" would be excellent. Just can't think of a good one for kids if guinea pigs and hamsters are out of the equation. I visit with my first floor neighbors regularly and have every opportunity to influence if I can think of a decent idea.

Rocky1, sorry if I misunderstood you (was kind of in a rush, on a device etc.).
And yes, generally rodents aren't a good choice - these are more for older children/people. In my experience, even very few adults can learn how to relate to rodents and bond with them.
Need some other means of encouraging these people to develop a different perspective on the non-human world, esp. sqs. But, again - speaking from experience, it may take people years to warm up to something like that.
So, like IR said, safer (for sqs) to change what/how you do.