Annoying neighbor kids making me crazy
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Anonymous
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We had new neighbors move in next door this winter and never really got to know them since everyone was hunkered down inside for so long. When the weather got warmer all the kids started playing outside more and we decided to let our kids play with theirs outside since neither of us seemed to leave the house except to get groceries and we were comfortable with the risk. We have 2 boys ages 6 and 2, and they have 3 boys ages 3, 5 and 7. The boys' parents are both working from home and seem pretty busy so they let their boys play outside mostly unsupervised for most of the day. Our yards are separated by bushes but you can easily get from one to the other through a couple different areas.
For the past couple weeks now their boys have been coming over to our backyard to play, with or without our boys, pretty much all day long. We got an above ground pool, jungle gym and tons of other toys to keep our kids entertained all summer so they seem to prefer our yard to theirs. Their mom doesn't ask, they just show up in our yard and will hang out for hours if our kids are outside without the parents checking on them once. Earlier today I heard an odd noise and the older two were swimming in our pool totally on their own (in their clothes I should add) which is not okay. I have spoken to the parents several times now and told them our kids enjoy playing with theirs but to please text or call first since we aren't always available and it's hard when they just show up in our yard. They apologize and say they will for sure next time but they never do. And, it's an even bigger concern that they don't seem to notice when their kids have left their yard and come to mine. We are generally home but since DH and I are working too we can't always be supervising them in the backyard. This just seems to keep happening over and over again and I am not sure what to do about it to make it stop short of putting in fencing. My kids are happy to play with theirs for an hour or so but they fight a ton and it's really hard to watch 5 wild boys all at once. Their parents never come check on them or even seem to care what they are doing which is crazy since they are still pretty young. Any ideas how to get through to them? |
Anonymous
| With a 2 year old at home, I'm surprised your pool is so easily accessible |
Anonymous
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You will be held liable for injuries or drownings on your property, OP.
You need a fence pronto and you need to tell these idiot parents to tell their kids never to go into the pool without adult consent. I would have yelled at them if I had found them in my pool, I can tell you that. Apart from that, I treat the neighbor kids like my kids: I tell them the rules and send them home (my kids to time out) if they don’t comply. I am direct. And if it’s not a good time, which it often isn’t, I turn them away nicely at the door. |
Anonymous
| When they show up, take them home. Repeat. |
Anonymous
| Sorry OP, that sounds really really annoying. They're treating your house like it's the neighborhood swim club equipped with lifeguards. |
Anonymous
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You need a fence, because these people are dense, on purpose, OP. You think THEY want to watch their (3) wild kids? No. No, they don't.
Not your circus, not your monkeys, not your problem,OP. Put a 6' solid privacy fence in - with NO gate, and NO apologies. They need to learn to mind their own children. Your yard is not their playground. |
Anonymous
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Those kids are going to drown in your pool. Tell the parents their kids can't come over unless they ask you first. Also tell the kids directly that the pool is off limits and if you ever catch them in the pool again without asking, they can't come over to your yard again.
This is not a joke. These kids could die in your yard. |
Anonymous
| What?! My youngest is 7 and I check on her every hour. I could never have kids this young just out and about. Please find a way to make your pool safe. They will blame you if something happens. I would tell them their kids are invited to play the same time for an hour or 90 minutes each day and make sure it's during a time you can watch them and take them back home after. |
Anonymous
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You have to tell them they are not welcome in your yard unless they are invited and say it firmly over and over if you have to. I would also text or call their parents every time they show up in your yard.
Then you must get a pool cover AND a fence - you are an idiot to have a pool where young children have access without permission. (I have a pool and we have a safety cover with a lock and a fence -- you have NO excuse!!!) |
Anonymous
AND if the kids drown in the pool it IS THEIR FAULT for not having a cover and a fence!!! It doesn't matter if the parents are/aren't watching them - as a pool owner, this is YOUR responsibility!!!!' |
Anonymous
+1 Every. Single. Time. |
Anonymous
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Those kids are way too young to be in the pool on their own!! Is there any way to cover or lock the pool? Remove stairs.
And I agree, walk them back every time |
Anonymous
+1000 You need someone to tell you this OP???? Kids' lives are at stake. It doesn't matter if they're a PITA and not your responsibility. You are risking their lives. Grossly irresponsible of you to not already have some safety precautions in place. JFC OP. How about an old refrigerator with an attached door? Have one of those laying around, too? |
Anonymous
+1 Every time!!! And get a fence because it’s not just about the pool. |
Anonymous
| You really need to put in a fence or it is going to be a very long summer. |