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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:
Cluelessfirstimer · 19/08/2026 20:53

Ironfloor269 · 19/08/2026 20:52

I would log it with 101 just to be sure, OP.

Personally i think its more serious. 999 and straight to A&E for trauma OP.

SiberFox · 19/08/2026 20:53

Report to social services. Call police too just in case.

ThatWhiteElephant · 19/08/2026 20:53

I really hope this is a wind up…it’s chalk!
It’ll soon rain and will be gone.
Let the children enjoy the nice weather while it’s here.

On my way into work I pass by some chalked pictures / hopscotch, I try not to walk on it to preserve it 😄

7catsisnotenough · 19/08/2026 20:53

Let's be happy that the children are outside, in the fresh air, during school holidays and ENJOYING THEMSELVES! For goodness sake OP, some random pavement art by the local children is NOT (clutches pearls tightly!) going to devalue your property...
Lighten up and accept that sometimes little things bring enormous enjoyment to children, their pictures aren't permanent, they aren't currently graffiti artists BUT you may have a future Banksey living nearby - I bet you would stop complaining if you had a Banksey actually ON your property rather than some doodles that have occupied the local children for hours and made other neighbours smile?!

Pinkflamingo10 · 19/08/2026 20:53

This can’t be real ?! Surely no one is this much of a killjoy ?!

Ironfloor269 · 19/08/2026 20:52

I would log it with 101 just to be sure, OP.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 19/08/2026 20:50

An old man on our street would give as many kids as appeared at his gate a pot of water and a paintbrush and set them off painting the whole street's front walls. Can you imagine the chaos, op? Wet walls everywhere 😱

RisingSunn · 19/08/2026 20:50

Oh for goodness sake!

BloomersAreIn · 19/08/2026 20:49

Buy them a ‘cook your own meth kit’ then they can do that and sell drugs on street corners. That will keep them busy and get the, out of your hair. That’s a popular activity where I live.

Favouritefruits · 19/08/2026 20:47

I wish I could still have the children entertained all afternoon with a box of chalk, now it’s arcades and trampolines which cost 2000x more!

TeaIsLovely · 19/08/2026 20:47

Good Lord, drama llama.

thistimelastweek · 19/08/2026 20:46

If only there was a way to wash the chalk away!

Rainbow1235 · 19/08/2026 20:46

My grandson and I love chalking on the patio it’s fun and we also do times tables so he’s learning as well plus he’s outside in the fresh air . Bring on the chalks I say .

CoffeeBotherer · 19/08/2026 20:46

I hope someone has bought you some pearls to clutch, otherwise I fear your nails will be digging into your palms.

BudgetBuster · 19/08/2026 20:44

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 19/08/2026 20:39

I like chalk drawings. I’d probably be out there joining in.

My 2 year old has been absolutely loving chalk drawing (absolute nonsense scribbles) with some other kids in the estate. He's been delighted to be able to play with them this summer (instead of being told stay off the green for fear of getting smacked with the football or trying to keep up woth them on their bikes etc). Its been so lovely to see! Even older siblings out playing with younger siblings who'd normally be fighting the rest of the year.

LilyBunch25 · 19/08/2026 20:44

Marroon · 19/08/2026 20:44

This is actually insane.

It pretty much is.....

Nousernameideaaga · 19/08/2026 20:44

LilyBunch25 · 19/08/2026 20:42

Neat idea! My daughter, years ago now, got through many a box of chunky coloured chalk 🌈🌈

Show quote history

Same here for all my kids. Miss those simple innocent days ☺️

Marroon · 19/08/2026 20:44

This is actually insane.

Bananacrepewithnuts · 19/08/2026 20:43

It's chalk not paint.
Please leave it.

X

LilyBunch25 · 19/08/2026 20:42

Nousernameideaaga · 19/08/2026 20:41

Chalk pavements was my most successful way of getting my dd (8 at the time) to do maths during lockdown
It’s a mandatory part of childhood surely

Neat idea! My daughter, years ago now, got through many a box of chunky coloured chalk 🌈🌈

ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 19/08/2026 20:42

Cluelessfirstimer · 19/08/2026 20:39

My DS took some chalk out into the garden earlier. What a state. What vandalism. Next it will be young offenders

I am shaking and crying at that!! Trauma!!

Kizmet1 · 19/08/2026 20:41

I love the replies on this thread ❤️
Rain is coming, the chalk art (or mess if you like) will be washed away. Let it go, OP. There are so many other things to spend your energy on.

Nousernameideaaga · 19/08/2026 20:41

Chalk pavements was my most successful way of getting my dd (8 at the time) to do maths during lockdown
It’s a mandatory part of childhood surely

Cluelessfirstimer · 19/08/2026 20:39

My DS took some chalk out into the garden earlier. What a state. What vandalism. Next it will be young offenders

To find pavement chalking by neighbour unreasonable?
EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 19/08/2026 20:39

I like chalk drawings. I’d probably be out there joining in.