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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
SooticaTheWitchesCat · 20/08/2026 14:21

Good grief! It’s just chalk. It will wash away when it rains
At least the kids are playing outside instead of being sat inside staring at a screen

Pherian · 20/08/2026 14:01

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?

Yes, you would be out of order. It’s chalk and washes away. The damage it will do to your relationship with your neighbour's is permanent. Just mind your own business.

CreativeGreen · 20/08/2026 14:00

This reply has been deleted

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This is entirely too much. OP is not here. She has conceded general opinion is not with her.

Kath89 · 20/08/2026 13:59

This reply has been deleted

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Grandmistress991 · 20/08/2026 13:59

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.

In a few weeks it will be raining 24/7 so chalk wont be an issue.

What a curmudgeon you are.

CreativeGreen · 20/08/2026 13:44

OP said three minutes after starting the thread that she understood that MN opinion wasn't with her and that even though she didn't like the chalking she wasn't going to argue.

Tablo · 20/08/2026 13:43

ShedShedShed · 19/08/2026 20:59

Unless it says "HANJI83 IS A CUNT"

Let it go, it will wash away in the rain eventually

🤣

Paganpentacle · 20/08/2026 13:39

Faceonthewrongfoot · 20/08/2026 13:28

Unless they've drawn a massive cock and balls, I'd probably just leave it tbh..

If they drew a massive cock and balls I'd definitely leave it. Possibly would add some details myself.

Paganpentacle · 20/08/2026 13:38

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?

Yes.

Moellen54 · 20/08/2026 13:36

Surely you did the same when young. The rain will wash it away and yes BU

Workinforalivin · 20/08/2026 13:29

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.

There's a lot worse to worry about than kids and temporary chalk.

Where I live it's the w**kers with souped up cars. Not just young lads with souped up Fiestas or whatever but family men who are all old enough to know better and who are all "look at me" every time they leave their front door.

peppy23 · 20/08/2026 13:29

Get a life and stop looking so intently at footpaths.

Faceonthewrongfoot · 20/08/2026 13:28

Unless they've drawn a massive cock and balls, I'd probably just leave it tbh..

aWeeCornishPastie · 20/08/2026 13:23

Get a grip

Parkerpenny · 20/08/2026 13:23

Have they drawn anything objectionable?

FreyaW · 20/08/2026 13:22

100% wrong. It's chalk...will wash away when it rains...
Maybe concentrate on how you can better spend your free time instead of thinking about harrassing children.
Try volunteering to help your community in some way.

Littlechinagirl · 20/08/2026 13:21

I just need this to be known i clicked you aren't being unreasonable BY ACCIDENT

Good grief. 1st world problems

Scoooobydooo · 20/08/2026 13:21

I think your username might give a clue who you are. So if you’re located in the NE I’d be changing it….

loopyloolou · 20/08/2026 13:21

I have read that op has come and realised she is being unreasonable. It’s just the fact the post was made in the first place makes me so sad! Children outside playing with chalk on the pavement, I mean it doesn’t get more wholesome than that, I’d be out there showing them how to do hopscotch. We want children off there screens and out in the fresh air. Let’s not be too pathetic !

Bamboozledbylife · 20/08/2026 13:20

Get a bloody grip ffs. Yab absolutely completely unreasonable

CoffeThenMaybe59 · 20/08/2026 13:20

Do you hate sunshine and puppies too? They’re not hurting anyone, it’s not permanent and you need to lighten up. What would you like them to do instead? 🙄

JenLxxx · 20/08/2026 13:18

Miserable sod, get a life!!!! Let the kids have fun and the rain will wash it away soon !! 🤦🏼‍♀️

MissRaspberryRipples · 20/08/2026 13:16

Behave it's chalk it'll wash off with the rain or it'll fade off when people walk over it. They're not doing any harm. I'd rather see kids chalk drawings than see them hanging on the corners smoking drinking and vandalising people's property

ByUniqueViper · 20/08/2026 13:15

Wow how mean are you

SeenItAllMostly · 20/08/2026 13:15

Get a life and find something better to complain about. Your be moaning about this generation of YOBs and the screen time and then moan about dear children chalk drawing on the pavement.
I suggest you go and polish your silverware instead of curtain twitching.