Dealing with a kid peeing on our fence?

[Anonymous]

We live in a row house in DC and have for the past 5 years. Neighbors are predominately young families like us. We installed a camera watching the alley right outside our backyard fence about 2 years ago as we had some issues with petty crime. It's had the auxiliary benefit of reducing the number of weirdos randomly loitering back there.

The past two weeks or so one of our neighbor's kid (maybe 5 years old) has walked up and just started peeing on our fence. I imagine he doesn't want to interrupt his outside fun with a potty break, but at the same time if it was my son doing that I would want to know. I also don't know the parents, so I'm not sure if they'd be mortified and apologize or instinctively side with their kid and blow up at me. What does DCUM think?

[Anonymous]

Did the kid do it once or repeatedly? If it's once, move on and forget about it. If it's repeated, you might want to mention it to the parents but make it lighthearted and chill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did the kid do it once or repeatedly? If it's once, move on and forget about it. If it's repeated, you might want to mention it to the parents but make it lighthearted and chill.

A handful of times now, definitely more than once.

[Anonymous]

Are they in their own yard when they do it or coming to your yard just to pee on your fence?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did the kid do it once or repeatedly? If it's once, move on and forget about it. If it's repeated, you might want to mention it to the parents but make it lighthearted and chill.

A handful of times now, definitely more than once.

Mentioned it to the parents, then. I wouldn't be a fan of it either but it's not end of times. The kid is 5. Ask if they can encourage the kid to pee on the neighbor's fence on the other side of the yard instead.

[Anonymous]

Eh, as the mother of a 6 year old boy, this isn’t something I’d make a big deal about and search out the parents. If you happen to see them out and about with the kid, maybe casually mention that it would be a good idea for the kid to use the bathroom before going out to play. 100% he is not doing it to be malicious.

What I’m a little more worried about is a 5 year old playing without adult supervision…

[Anonymous]

The kid is resourceful.

[Anonymous]

He's marking his territory. Look out for the gang signs next.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to do absolutely nothing and spend less time looking at security videos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to do absolutely nothing and spend less time looking at security videos.

+1

[Anonymous]

I would say something but that’s how I roll. I have no patience for the “boys will be boys” people.

[Anonymous]

Post a sign on the fence at his eye level that says no peeing on fence. With a helpful visual in case he’s not reading yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to do absolutely nothing and spend less time looking at security videos.

+1

You guys are pretty behind the times, cameras now all give people/package/pet notifications to your phone

[Anonymous]

If its only been two weeks, I would leave it be. Kids go through phases really fast at this age. If he is coming into your yard, address that with the parents. That is a liability risk for you and you can legitimately not have that happening.

[Anonymous]

Can you predict when he might do it? I’d probably also be outside and “catch” him doing it and tell him in my sternest mom voice that it’s inappropriate and he should never do it again.