We had moved in only a week before, but it quickly became clear that our place was to be the "Cheers" of the elementary school set.

Not only do we know the kids' names and greet them as they knock on the door and come in, we're learning their food preferences -- can you believe some kids don't like Rocket Power Cheese Nips? -- and their personality quirks.

It's hard to say what's appealing about our place. It may be that furniture does not yet fill the living room so there's still lots of room to run around. It could also be, ironically, that we're rather firm and observant parents.

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We see and hear all that is going on and are very clear about what's expected (proper English) and what's forbidden (pummeling, even between brothers). Their interactions are sometimes accompanied by a soundtrack of our play-by-play feedback on how they're treating each other. And sometimes we stay out of their way, when no intervention is needed.

Kids seem to like knowing the boundaries and the consequences of violating them, so that they can make informed choices about how to proceed.

The difficulty comes when they cross the line. How do you discipline someone else's child?

This is a dilemma we've only tentatively begun to explore. So far, we have opted for the simple black and white approach: "We don't do that in this house. You get one warning and if you do it again, we'll ask you to leave."

It doesn't teach them the whys of our logic -- although if they ask, we explain -- but it does protect our child somewhat from behavior we don't want him imitating.

Being an only child, our son is just now really learning what he's been missing. Having a group of other kids around informally is teaching him tolerance and tenacity in a way that structured activities don't. He's also discovering that he needs some downtime and enjoys being alone with mom and dad -- although much to my dismay, not as much as he used to.

Only weeks ago, my arrival was greeted with a headlong hug that threw me back through the door with its force. Now, he barely looks up from whatever game he's playing. I knew he would be making the transition from parents to peers, I just didn't expect it to happen so soon.

But if he's going to be peer-oriented, it helps to know who he's identifying with and what they're doing. And there's no better way to gather that information than firsthand.

So, while it's getting expensive having the whole neighborhood here every day (those juice boxes and migraine medicines add up), the cost is well worth it if I can keep my son close to home while he continues to expand his horizons.

Julie Moos is a thirtysomething who lives with her husband and son. Her column appears every other Thursday.