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AIBU?

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Original poster

To find pavement chalking by neighbour unreasonable?

414 replies

Hanji83 · 19/08/2026 20:29

We are in a row of houses which have a footpath running in front of the road with a grassed area either side. One of the neighbours has two kids, who for the past week have been drawing on the pavement using chalk. It looks an utter mess. Would it be wrong of me to say something to the parents?

OP posts:
AgentPidge · 19/08/2026 21:27

I agree with the others about it being harmless fun, but my DH would agree with you, OP. He used to get really annoyed at what he saw was the unsightly mess of chalk drawings on the pavements where we used to live. I think it was partly because the pavements aren't owned by those children - he thought they should do it on their own property (patio) rather than inflict it on him.

But there you go - we all have little things that get on our nerves.

ClaredeBear · 19/08/2026 21:27

One of the most wholesome activities and you have to be like this.

ZoeCM · 19/08/2026 21:27

Jesus Christ, OP, it's just chalk! What do you think is going to happen as a result? Someone will walk past and be horrified at the sight of chalk drawings?

BoarBrush · 19/08/2026 21:26

A wee lad round the corner, he's 13/14, drew a big (as in 5/6ft long) spunking cock a couple of years ago in amongst his sisters hopscotch etc. I did think that was too much.

scalt · 19/08/2026 21:26

Once again, the Covidians are bored, and wish that lockdown lasted for ever.

Sweetdreamsbeautifulnightmare · 19/08/2026 21:25

Maybe you’d rather they spray painted graffiti on your front door?

Get a grip it’s chalk and it washes away!!

Netire · 19/08/2026 21:25

I was expecting them to have written the world’s most offensive words with an arrow pointing to your house after reading the title. Get a grip OP.

ConstantlyFuriosa · 19/08/2026 21:25

Clafoutie · 19/08/2026 21:19

Why is it even a problem though? Why do we have to hope for rain to come soon to solve it? ( we need rain, but for much more important reasons)

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I’m just hoping for rain in general! I’ve got rain on the brain.

TheChosenTwo · 19/08/2026 21:24

Mourningmorningsleep · 19/08/2026 21:11

Sometimes a child near me draws a hopscotch and I've seen so many adults do the hopscotch when they though no one was looking. Love it.

Same here, I still can’t resist a chalk drawn hopscotch! Sometimes the kids round here draw them reeeeally long and I do spins while I complete the hopscotch too 😂😂
op you’re a misery. Maybe go and get some and join in yourself, it’s harmless fun.

ThunderThunderThunderThunderCats · 19/08/2026 21:23

It’s CHALK!

Clafoutie · 19/08/2026 21:19

ConstantlyFuriosa · 19/08/2026 21:08

I think it’s probably more noticeable because the lack of rain has meant it’s not getting washed away. Possibly best not to talk to the neighbour, though. Hopefully rain is on the way.

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Why is it even a problem though? Why do we have to hope for rain to come soon to solve it? ( we need rain, but for much more important reasons)

hockityponktas · 19/08/2026 21:18

What a lovely summer holiday activity for the children! And so lucky to have a place outside their home that is safe enough to play.
or would you prefer it if they were inside on iPads op?

Zov · 19/08/2026 21:17

Hanji83 · 19/08/2026 20:29

We are in a row of houses which have a footpath running in front of the road with a grassed area either side. One of the neighbours has two kids, who for the past week have been drawing on the pavement using chalk. It looks an utter mess. Would it be wrong of me to say something to the parents?

Those evil little shits! 😆

Parker231 · 19/08/2026 21:17

Hanji83 · 19/08/2026 20:32

Ok, clearly there’s a strong disagreement. No it’s not a reverse. It does look a mess. But clearly I’m being harsh so I won’t approach my neighbour or argue with everyone on here.

You say to your neighbour how lovely it is to see children having fun outdoors

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 19/08/2026 21:17

Are they chanting while chalking pentacles and cabalistic symbols, to summon Lucifer? If so, I’m on board with complaints.

Hopscotch and scribbles, all good.

thistimelastweek · 19/08/2026 21:17

viques · 19/08/2026 20:58

Chunky coloured chalk! Huh. When I was a kid we only had thin little half sticks of plain white chalk that we pinched from school. And they say us boomers have had it all our own way. 🙁

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We had to break cheapo ornaments and use the sharp end!

PeopleWatching17 · 19/08/2026 21:16

Hanji83 · 19/08/2026 20:29

We are in a row of houses which have a footpath running in front of the road with a grassed area either side. One of the neighbours has two kids, who for the past week have been drawing on the pavement using chalk. It looks an utter mess. Would it be wrong of me to say something to the parents?

Meanwhile, in Gaza…

meercat23 · 19/08/2026 21:15

Of all the things that Kids do this has to be the most harmless. Didn't we all do that when we were kids. No lasting damage. When the rain finally comes it will be gone.

WitchesBrew666 · 19/08/2026 21:14

Cluelessfirstimer · 19/08/2026 20:34

Can't win honestly.

Send those kids outside ! Literally complaints about them so much as breathing

Send those kids inside! Oh FFS you ipad parents.

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Exactly what I was going to say. Has the world always been this fucking miserable with regards to kids being kids or is it relatively new?!

moto748e · 19/08/2026 21:12

Vulturesoverhead · 19/08/2026 20:33

Oh for goodness sake get the kids a fucking iPad, what is the world coming to

Or, better still, don't.

PyongyangKipperbang · 19/08/2026 21:12

Hanji83 · 19/08/2026 20:32

Ok, clearly there’s a strong disagreement. No it’s not a reverse. It does look a mess. But clearly I’m being harsh so I won’t approach my neighbour or argue with everyone on here.

It doesnt look a mess. It looks like happiness, joy and laughter.

Three things that are clearly missing from your life, and for that I am sorry for you.

Mourningmorningsleep · 19/08/2026 21:11

Sometimes a child near me draws a hopscotch and I've seen so many adults do the hopscotch when they though no one was looking. Love it.

Lucyccfc68 · 19/08/2026 21:10

We had a neighbour like you over the kids just enjoying themselves and she was a miserable old cow too 😂

Its just a bit of chalk not spray paint and it will wash off when it rains.

We have a big walk way at the front of our houses and when I got home tonight, I had a go on the hop scotch that the kids drew with chalk.

ConstantlyFuriosa · 19/08/2026 21:08

Hanji83 · 19/08/2026 20:32

Ok, clearly there’s a strong disagreement. No it’s not a reverse. It does look a mess. But clearly I’m being harsh so I won’t approach my neighbour or argue with everyone on here.

I think it’s probably more noticeable because the lack of rain has meant it’s not getting washed away. Possibly best not to talk to the neighbour, though. Hopefully rain is on the way.

CeciliaMars · 19/08/2026 21:07

Damn kids having good wholesome fun outdoors.