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Original poster

To ask this child's mum to please keep her out of my garden.

117 replies

PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 15:51

Quite often people will stop and have a look at my cat in the window, he is of course very gorgeous and loves a fuss, however what’s been happening recently has made me fairly annoyed.

A few days ago I noticed a child of around 4 or 5 knocking on my window to get the attention of the cat, the window he sits in is facing the road but set about 2.5 in metres into very densely planted garden, which is currently full of young plants. I figured as a one off I wouldn’t say anything, however it keeps happening.

my question is, what would you do in this situation? Would you speak to the mum? I’m admittedly a complete wuss and hate confrontation but also my plants are getting damaged.

Edit: title should say “child’s mum” mum is not a child, but an adult.

OP posts:
Original poster
PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 22:49

I think I’ll just need to just put on my big girl pants and talk to her.

She hasn’t been by again today so hopefully I won’t have to 🤞

OP posts:
Original poster
PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 22:46

WetBandits · 16/05/2024 22:34

Not sure, can’t possibly comment until I’ve seen this cat.

Oh, if you insist.

To ask this child's mum to please keep her out of my garden.
To ask this child's mum to please keep her out of my garden.
OP posts:
Ladyluckinred · 16/05/2024 22:46

PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 16:09

The first time round I watched the whole thing and the mum was encouraging her, first to go up to the cat and again to bang on the window. I don’t know how it would go down if I asked her to stop tbh.

Show quote history

😳 I’m actually very surprised by this. I would
never let my kids walk onto someone else’s property! I’d say something (to the Mum) like “Hi, I know your little one wants to say hello to the cat, if she could do it from the pavement as I’ve got plants in the front garden”.

You shouldn’t have to tell anyone not to come onto your property uninvited tbh. It’s very entitled of the Mum not to consider this is inappropriate.

SpringerFall · 16/05/2024 22:36

I would go and speak to her but would also get a big sack and write Semtex on it and stick in where you don't want her to walk

Or Arsenic or some other label

WetBandits · 16/05/2024 22:34

Not sure, can’t possibly comment until I’ve seen this cat.

UtterlyOtterly · 16/05/2024 22:34

Explain to the mum that you have been having trouble with bugs/slugs and have had to put down some very unpleasant treatment. Too risky for the child to get it on their skin or clothes, better stay away from the garden.

Pastryface · 16/05/2024 22:33

Screamingabdabz · 16/05/2024 22:11

Jeez you can tell MN is so terribly middle class… ‘polite’ notices and oh the horror of saying anything less than jolly to anyone…

Just stand at the door and tell them both to fuck the fuck off and stop trespassing. People are far too accepting of CF entitled behaviour these days and they are so lacking of self awareness that only a blunt short sharp shock will have any impact.

This! I wouldn't even bother speaking to the mum, just tell the child to bugger off out of your garden!

PrincessTeaSet · 16/05/2024 22:29

I think banging back and shouting hey get out of my garden would do the trick. Don't be nice as they obviously aren't nice people. If you go all apologetic you're more likely to get an earful. Wouldn't bother with notes either. Child won't read them anyway.

EmpressaurusOfCats · 16/05/2024 22:26

PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 22:11

Well the kind of person who encourages her child to go walking through flower beds and banging on strangers windows probably won’t take kindly to being told off. Or at least that’s my assumption.

Dont worry about my cat, he doesn't care in the least and isn’t scared of anything (which is why he is no longer allowed outside).

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The woman doesn’t know your cat isn’t scared though, so it’s still a good excuse for telling them to stop.

Original poster
PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 22:11

Nanny0gg · 16/05/2024 20:35

So what?#

It's even worse if the mum is telling her to bang

What if your cat was scared?

Show quote history

Well the kind of person who encourages her child to go walking through flower beds and banging on strangers windows probably won’t take kindly to being told off. Or at least that’s my assumption.

Dont worry about my cat, he doesn't care in the least and isn’t scared of anything (which is why he is no longer allowed outside).

OP posts:
Screamingabdabz · 16/05/2024 22:11

Jeez you can tell MN is so terribly middle class… ‘polite’ notices and oh the horror of saying anything less than jolly to anyone…

Just stand at the door and tell them both to fuck the fuck off and stop trespassing. People are far too accepting of CF entitled behaviour these days and they are so lacking of self awareness that only a blunt short sharp shock will have any impact.

HollieHollieHollie · 16/05/2024 22:03

Bark at her

Nanny0gg · 16/05/2024 20:38

PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 16:46

Because I’m terrified of confrontation.

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It doesn't have to be a confrontation!

Just saying that it's your garden and you don't want your plants trampled isn't confrontation!

Nanny0gg · 16/05/2024 20:35

PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 16:09

The first time round I watched the whole thing and the mum was encouraging her, first to go up to the cat and again to bang on the window. I don’t know how it would go down if I asked her to stop tbh.

Show quote history

So what?#

It's even worse if the mum is telling her to bang

What if your cat was scared?

Mothership4two · 16/05/2024 18:06

I'd just open the window and gently say "you know you are not supposed to be in my garden don't you?" (or words to that effect) or to the mum "please could you keep your child off my property/out of my garden". I'd be firm but not confrontational. She is being rude.

DinnaeFashYersel · 16/05/2024 17:19

Speak to the child and if that doesn't work speak to the parent.

caringcarer · 16/05/2024 17:10

PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 16:09

The first time round I watched the whole thing and the mum was encouraging her, first to go up to the cat and again to bang on the window. I don’t know how it would go down if I asked her to stop tbh.

Show quote history

Unbelievably rude to encourage a child to go into someone else's garden and bang on their window. I would be opening the door and telling DC to leave my garden as they are trampling my plants. Tell them they are frightening the cat.

StarryNorthernLights · 16/05/2024 17:05

Put a
Polite note in your window asking not to enter the garden and bang the window as it upsets the cat

Original poster
PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 17:02

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 16/05/2024 16:49

It would be very very reasonable to nicely ask them both to keep out of your garden. If you really can’t bring yourself to do that put up a BIG keep out sign.

Tempted, and I’ve seen others with them.

Maybe a friendly one like “please keep off the flowers” wouldn’t make me seem like a complete witch.

OP posts:
Stripeysocks1981 · 16/05/2024 16:59

People are unbelievable. Cheeky cow. Definitely tell her next time!

Original poster
PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 16:52

Bagofmaltesers · 16/05/2024 16:27

If this happens at school getting home time, I would be out gardening, waiting for their arrival. I would definitely say something. I’d be as pleasant as possible, as it’s not the child’s fault that mum is allowing this.

Good point, it’s happened early evening and in the day so I think they must out for a walk. Maybe I’ll do a spot of gardening before dinner.

I would be as kind as possible, my own DS is terrified if people tell him off and I certainly wouldn’t want to scare the kid. I’d offer to bring the cat out but he can nip.

OP posts:
Mosaic123 · 16/05/2024 16:52

A sign that says:

If you can read this you are far too close. This is a private house and garden.

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 16/05/2024 16:49

It would be very very reasonable to nicely ask them both to keep out of your garden. If you really can’t bring yourself to do that put up a BIG keep out sign.

Santasbigredbobblehat · 16/05/2024 16:48

If you don’t want to confront, could you put something in front of the plants? Some bamboo sticks or something? Failing that, keep your curtains closed for a bit. I mean, I would say something it doesn’t have to be nasty, just say ‘mind my baby plants please’.

Original poster
PrettyFelineSquashedThyme · 16/05/2024 16:46

Hadalifeonce · 16/05/2024 16:45

Why on earth don't you just bang on your window and tell the child to get out of your garden?

Because I’m terrified of confrontation.

OP posts:
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