I think you should just let it be. Don’t become that “mean lady’s house”, it will spread through the neighborhood and can ultimately spread through the school, affecting your children. Children would never think to ask for permission first, so you are expecting too much from a child.
Situations never remain the same. Some of the kids might move, decide to walk the longer route, grow out of taking a bus, etc. leave it be and don’t react so quickly, things usually resolve in time. You will be happy that you didn’t become a Gladys peeking out your curtains at those “trespassing hooligans” walking on your lawn to catch a school bus.

I agree that you need a fence. Until then, get a cheap sprinkler and set the timer strategically.

Anonymous wrote:You need a fence.

Or a dog that sics balls

Anonymous wrote:I just can't imagine being bothered by a child (hell, 10 children!) walking through my yard on their way to the bus. Sad.

you can't imagine it. because it isn't happening to you.

Totally with you OP that it is annoying that they didn't ask if you were OK with this especially if the other family doesn't like people on their lawn.

Is it possible though that the parents don't realize their kids are cutting through? I would feel like a jerk for saying that can't do it, but I might say something to the family that doesn't like people on their lawn, "Don't know if you were aware but since they moved the bus stop, your kids are cutting through my backyard. I really wish they had asked us if this was OK"

I think forcing a bunch of kids to walk all the way around would make me feel way worse than any wear and tear on the lawn, but I think they should have asked permission first.

I just can't imagine being bothered by a child (hell, 10 children!) walking through my yard on their way to the bus. Sad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do want to be "neighborly" but quite frankly this is a one-way situation where they get all of the benefit and I get all of the wear and tear and potential risk. I literally NEVER cross into their yards and as I mentioned the one family got annoyed when my kids and some friends stepped over onto their property at one point last year.

If their kids want to come on our property to play with my kids or cross occasionally when they are running late or there is bad weather, that's totally fine, but crossing through my yard at least twice per day every single day...at least 4 pairs of feet? That's gonna leave a mark.

OP what is this really about. You don't like the family so you want an excuse to chase them off your property with a hose?

I don't need an "excuse" to not want people trespassing in my yard. One of the families I DO like (although I don't want their kids in my yard EVERY DAMN DAY) and the other I barely know but they have been less than neighborly to us so I'm not sure why I should put myself at risk to make their lives a little easier.

Benefit? Allowing kids to save a few minutes of walking in the morning? Wear and tear...it's GRASS.
I'm empathize with your POV OP but man, you are really making it hard.

Yes I'm pretty shocked by the people who think this is ok to do on a daily basis. Occasionally when running late (with permission?) sure. But every single day without even asking? Hell no.

And it's ridiculous to say that a homeowner should get extra insurance to account for tresspassers. WTF?

*here*

Wow there are a lot of lazy, entitled people around her.

OH NO..... your kid might have to walk an extra 15 minutes per day AND respect property you don't own. Counseling will absolutely be required.

I value kid's health. Walk those extra seven minutes!! Hell, run the distance.

Op, I understand your issues with this. Maintaining a yard that has kids (not your own) carelessly running/walking through it multiple times per day can wear bare patches in it, get expensive, and cause more work for you. Particularly, if you have an HOA that gets after residents for bare patches in their yard. This was the HOA I used to live in. They would fine and/or deny HOA facility use until you show progress in addressing the bare spots. If one of the kids gets hurt or something from your yard goes missing, then that's another hassle. I can't imagine why parents wouldn't be teaching their kids to stay out of other people's yards. People saying that you should be a good neighbor and let the kids do what they want is like saying you bought your house and yard for other people's use.

Options:
- Get a fence
- Talk to the neighbors - ask the kids to go around or mow/weed your lawn since they use it so often
- Call the county school system and ask that the bus stop location be changed.

I don’t understand people who let their kids trespass on the property of others. I teach my kids to stay on the public sidewalks and not to walk through other people’s yards. I want them to respect the property of others.

This, exactly.

I was raised to not use other peoples' things without asking first. This includes property. I totally understand OP's frustration, and I am amazed at how many people here are not bothered by the idea that people are trespassing on OP's yard. Some are even suggesting that OP should pay for extra insurance while allowing the trespassing.

That said, the sprinkler and fence are passive-aggressive. OP should be direct and ask the kids nicely to stop trespassing on his yard. Failing that, he should talk to the parents. Failing that, a fence might be justified.

OP is, of course, free to allow people to use his yard, but he obviously doesn't want to do that, which is his right. Not sure why so many people here fail to understand that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm worried because our yard gets very swampy/muddy sometimes in the winter and it's on an incline which can be slippery when it freezes. From a family member's experience it's all well and good to say "nobody will sue you" but their insurance company might not agree when it comes time to pay medical bills. I think injury is unlikely but it worries me ESPECIALLY with kids I've never seen before and whose parents I don't even know (the "guests" of the kids who live there).

The neighbor we know less well has had issue with other people crossing through THEIR yard in the past and was annoyed with our kids for being in their yard before so it rubs me the wrong way that they think they can just let their kids walk through our lawn without even asking.

And maybe that's the crux...I'm annoyed that they haven't even asked and the kids just keep trudging through our yard....

Xanax for you. Problem solved.

Parenting for entitled kids’ parents and seven minutes of extra fresh air and exercise. Problem solved. DP.