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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:
PinotandPray · 20/08/2026 18:24

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.

Don’t approach them OP best to pick your battles.

First house I owned I was super precious about and got annoyed at this exact thing. It was going past my house and also up the wall leading to my door and I just overreacted (but I wasn’t rude). Looking back I know I was BU - so nobody come at me pls lol.

(It wouldn’t bother me now and tbh straight after it happened I felt silly and bad about it)

saddest thing was it caused a big falling out with our neighbours for a long time. It ended up all being okay but it was awkward for a couple of years!

It’s not a big deal really just be chill about it. X

Activelife · 20/08/2026 18:33

Kids being kids, kids playing outside making their own games, what crime it is.

HollyIvy89 · 20/08/2026 18:33

ShedShedShed · 19/08/2026 22:40

Wow. What's it like to be so miserable?

Show quote history

im not miserable i just hate chalk 😂😂 believe it or not, it’s actually allowed.

Vse500 · 20/08/2026 18:35

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?

Get a grip.

mussymummy · 20/08/2026 19:37

Please dont be that person. During covid my 5 year old chalked hopscotch outside our house and our next door neighbour got her hose out and washed it away 10 minutes later. Petty nasty behaviour

PurpleFlower1983 · 20/08/2026 19:48

You’re being massively unreasonable.

TheFifthTellytubby · 20/08/2026 20:27

We once were on the receiving end of similar complaints from neighbours in our cul de sac who didn't have children at the time and failed to appreciate our kids' genius artwork. 😁 Fast forward a few years: our children had grown out of such pastimes and their own daughter's favourite summer activity was ... chalking rainbows over all the driveways! 😂

Singlemumsurvivor · 20/08/2026 20:39

My kids have had great fun over the last few months drawing on the pavement outside our house and other houses with chalk. All our neighbours except one are elderly and not one person has complained. Get a life! It washes away when it rains and brightens up dreary grey pavements.

WearyLilac · 20/08/2026 20:40

I wouldn't want it in front of my house if it looked messy. However, I wouldn't say anything because neighbourly discord is unpleasant. We are in the minority OP but your dislike is valid

Branwells77 · 20/08/2026 21:48

Wow, is this what really bothers you my neighbours grandchildren have been drawing hopscotch and other games on the pavements this summer and all of the children and even some of the adults have thoroughly enjoyed it caught one of the neighbours at 6am going to his car and he done the hopscotch on his way with a smile on his face we have now had lots of heavy rain and it’s washed it away I’m sure the kids will be out again when it dries up again rather see them with chalk and playing outside than not at all OP there’s a lot worse things they could be doing.

J3001 · 20/08/2026 22:26

We used to play hop scotch

CrazyCricketLady · 21/08/2026 00:37

My Mother always said "If you've not got anything nice to say, don't say anything". I think this is one of moments where I best keep it zipped

PurpleThistle7 · 21/08/2026 07:00

LBFseBrom · 19/08/2026 23:34

Yes, I get there is a difference. When I was a young woman out at work I lived in some grotty furnished flats and bedsits, encountered children roaming the streets and playing at all times and thought nothing of it but it's not usual in most residential areas where people have back gardens and parks nearby. It's off putting for potential buyers.

Show quote history

Huh? One of the reasons we bought our house is because we saw children playing outside. My kids are in and out all the time - there are a handful of children in the houses around us and they all run around outside. It’s lovely.

Easterchicken · 21/08/2026 07:50

They are kids
You don't own the path
Chalk washes off

Give your head a wobble you weirdo

NotMeAtAll · 21/08/2026 08:07

Is "looking a mess" bad?

Flamingojune · 21/08/2026 08:11

HollyIvy89 · 19/08/2026 22:17

I just got my hose out and washed away the bit in front of my house. I hate chalk. I think it’s rude.

You don't own the bit in front of your house

FancyLilacHare · 21/08/2026 09:09

LOL.

Is this real?

If so, nutter.

pearpudding · 21/08/2026 09:12

Chalk is a gateway drug to hopscotch.

Best nip it in the bud, OP before all hell breaks loose.

AmyDudley · 21/08/2026 09:42

My neighbours little girls do this, one of them had written 'our house' on the pavement outside my house and an arrow towards their house. I thought it was hilarious.

If I see them drawing I make requests, so far I've had a giant cat, a rocket, and an ice cream. The rain washes it away, they are having harmless fun, why would anyone want to be a party pooper over a few chalk drawings ?

Mollymaid64 · 21/08/2026 10:08

I think the op conceded defeat a few pages back so I don't know why people are still piling onto her with nasty comments 🙄

Missey85 · 21/08/2026 10:14

Found the neighbourhood Karen 😂😂😂 their enjoying themselves and not bothering you so what's your problem? Do you just hate fun?

Missey85 · 21/08/2026 10:17

mussymummy · 20/08/2026 19:37

Please dont be that person. During covid my 5 year old chalked hopscotch outside our house and our next door neighbour got her hose out and washed it away 10 minutes later. Petty nasty behaviour

I would have painted a permanent one just to bother the Karen some more Jesus who does that to a little kid?

AgentPidge · 21/08/2026 10:17

Missey85 · 21/08/2026 10:14

Found the neighbourhood Karen 😂😂😂 their enjoying themselves and not bothering you so what's your problem? Do you just hate fun?

Yeah, let's not perpetuate the use of that misogynistic slur on here, eh? It's just a way of telling women to shut up. She's allowed her POV, and she's conceded that she overreacted.

Missey85 · 21/08/2026 10:20

Activelife · 20/08/2026 18:33

Kids being kids, kids playing outside making their own games, what crime it is.

Maybe OP would rather they be playing with machetes instead 😊

Thirteenblackcats · 21/08/2026 10:21

What a miser

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