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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:
FridaLady82 · 20/08/2026 09:05

This used to be a lot of fun … wonder where my kids chalk has gone!

Im so pleased kids are still doing this!

ExplodingSmittens · 20/08/2026 08:49

I’m hoping that you’ve had rain overnight OP and your street is more aesthetically pleasing.

JustAnotherWhinger · 20/08/2026 08:40

Stuckinhospital · 19/08/2026 22:36

Were going to need you to report back on this please.

Show quote history

To the absolute delight of my 8 & 4 year olds whilst sat by the window having breakfast this morning they saw two of the teens from No 4 doing their course. They also nearly combusted in excitement when the husband of one of the complaining ladies did it, followed by 3 of the binmen (who did notice the kids watching so did it very dramatically 😂).

Gribouille · 20/08/2026 08:25

scalt · 19/08/2026 22:38

Has somebody done a chalk drawing of Oliver Cromwell, and resurrected him?

What now...?

😳

But Oliver Cromwell is buried and dead -
Hee haw buried and dead -
There grew an old apple tree over his head...
etc

ForestHog · 20/08/2026 01:33

We used to use chalk all the time on pavements but we were made to brush it off in the evenings.

Our enjoyment shouldn't ruin the aesthetics for everyone else.

Friendlygingercat · 20/08/2026 01:30

I remember a story about chalking on the pavement when I was about 7/8. My friends and I had all used differently coloured chalks playing a hopping game. In those days in working class communities people used to wash their stone steps and the pavement in front of their house. The neighbour complained that we had chalked all over her freshly washed pavement (not her step).

My mother made me get a bucket of water and a scrubbing bush. She told me to "clean off the marks you made" and I did so. Just the pink marks. Later the neighbour came back again to complain that I had not done the job properly. My mother said " "My daughter used pink chalk. I punished her for what she did but I'm not going to punish her for what her friends did. You will have to ask their parents." The neighbour said she wanted to know the names of my friends. My mother snapped "My daughter is not a snitch" and slammed the door.

Giraffehaver · 20/08/2026 00:58

Stop being a miserable old bat and get a life

maxslice · 20/08/2026 00:52

Gonners · 19/08/2026 21:29

Laughing at the hopscotch posts. I'm in my 70s and still delighted to hippety-hop through one. Being shameless, I don't even care if anyone's looking.

I’ll join you!

maxslice · 20/08/2026 00:49

Go out there and teach them how to play Hopscotch.

maxslice · 20/08/2026 00:48

Vulturesoverhead · 19/08/2026 20:33

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

Kids are on screens so much of the time. Let them enjoy themselves being creative outside.

Mollymaid64 · 20/08/2026 00:38

LBFseBrom · 19/08/2026 23:19

Do they not have a back garden?

I've never lived anywhere that has kids playing out in the street and would not be happy with that.

Did you never play out in the street when you were young? Children can't win these days.

Mollymaid64 · 20/08/2026 00:36

Hop scotch chalked onto the pavement gave us hours of fun in the 70's. It soon washes off. Yabu.

DarkchocolateAndtea · 20/08/2026 00:15

Vulturesoverhead · 19/08/2026 20:33

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

I know, parents can't win can they?! Op, lighten up.

InterestedDad37 · 20/08/2026 00:13

As long as they're not drawing willies and tits and writing sweary stuff, just let them be! In my previous house, the neighbours had grandkids visiting every summer, who'd chalk all along the pavement - pictures, hopscotch grids, whatever. It was delightful, really, and such a welcome change from seeing vacant eyes glued to a screen.

SapphireSeptember · 20/08/2026 00:11

Papster · 20/08/2026 00:09

Go out under darkness and draw chalk obscenities.

Sit back and wait

I did that a few years ago. My landlord was fuming but had no idea it was me. 🤣

Tunaboona · 20/08/2026 00:10

The children in our area draw trails, so hopscotch, then hop on the dots, then floor is lava, then balance along a line etc. They go for streets at a time.

And when I walk the dog I do all the moves.

Papster · 20/08/2026 00:09

Go out under darkness and draw chalk obscenities.

Sit back and wait

momtoboys · 20/08/2026 00:07

For the love…are you serious??

AllIneedAreMyFamilyandDogs · 20/08/2026 00:02

Createausername1970 · 20/08/2026 00:00

We used to do paper chase type games. One would set off with the chalk and do arrows every 100 yards or so to say what direction they were going in.

The rest of us counted to 500 and set off in pursuit following the arrows.

But the arrows weren't always on the pavement, they could be on walls, lamp posts etc so you had to look out for them.

It was fun.

Show quote history

We did this too. It was fun. One day we did it in crayon as we didn't have chalk. People were not pleased.

Createausername1970 · 20/08/2026 00:00

nicky2512 · 19/08/2026 23:26

My dd went a walk with me the other evening. She was delighted to see hopscotch’s that kids had chalked on the path. She had a go on each one.
She’s 24!

My mum loves seeing kids doing stuff like this. She’s almost 80 and still talks about how when she was little she chalked numbers round her whole estate. Her mum was waiting at the gate for her with a bucket and a brush and sent her to clean the whole lot off!

We used to do paper chase type games. One would set off with the chalk and do arrows every 100 yards or so to say what direction they were going in.

The rest of us counted to 500 and set off in pursuit following the arrows.

But the arrows weren't always on the pavement, they could be on walls, lamp posts etc so you had to look out for them.

It was fun.

Enigma54 · 19/08/2026 23:56

Oh give over OP!
What a killjoy you are!
A bit of chalky pavement. It doesn’t hurt you, does it??

Createausername1970 · 19/08/2026 23:54

Noooooooo!

It was our favourite occupation back in the day, chalking on the pavement. It's what we did pre screens.

My friend and I spent a happy afternoon chalking, lots of Donny Osmond and Bay City Roller references, love hearts etc, all rainbow colours. The following day my mum, bless her, who had Hyacinth tendancies before we had Hyacinth, had a face like a cats bum as she was telling my dad about how dreadful it was. I smirked into my ReadyBrek.

It washed off in the rain two days later.

ByRoseSnake · 19/08/2026 23:47

ByRoseSnake · 19/08/2026 23:29

There are plenty of areas and housing across the country where a private garden is not available... For instance, high rises, or old buildings converted into urban apartments. If there isn't a park or green space available, the street is a half way viable option where parents can responsibly monitor their kids without having to travel further afield.
There is a lot to be said for tolerance and trust.
And a big difference between chalk and spray paint.

Edited
Show quote history

Yes, but then we all get into a circular Mumsnet argument where there are just as many property owners with a private garden complaining about trampolines and balls over fences into other private gardens 😂 I don't think there is any way to win

Also, depending on area and demographics, a community spirit and visibly child friendly neighbourhood can be a huuuuge selling point for many buyers

But we don't know exactly what OP's area and demographic is

SapphireSeptember · 19/08/2026 23:39

I remember using stones to draw hopscotch grids on tarmac, fun times!

Shloopie · 19/08/2026 23:36

Children should be locked in broom cupboards so as not to upset potential buyers who might see them...playing in the street! 🙀

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