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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:
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

maxslice · 20/08/2026 00:49

Go out there and teach them how to play Hopscotch.

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!

Giraffehaver · 20/08/2026 00:58

Stop being a miserable old bat and get a life

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.

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.

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

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 😂).

ExplodingSmittens · 20/08/2026 08:49

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

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!

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.

ByUniqueViper · 20/08/2026 13:15

Wow how mean are you

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

JenLxxx · 20/08/2026 13:18

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

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? 🙄

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 !

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….

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

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.

Parkerpenny · 20/08/2026 13:23

Have they drawn anything objectionable?