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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:
Notasbigasithink · 19/08/2026 22:03

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?

😂😂😂

ScottBakula · 19/08/2026 22:06

Ohh @Hanji83 you should of searched for similar threads , there was one on here a couple of years ago that went absolutely nuts , all in favour of the op that was upset that a nighbour had washed her dcs art work off.

PensionPTake · 19/08/2026 22:08

Yabu. It will wash off. Bettr than being inside on a screen all day.

grasshopperhop · 19/08/2026 22:09

I hate chalk on the pavement and would never let my children do this. It’s totally unnecessary and looks awful! I’d be out there with a hose and broom!

Noodles1234 · 19/08/2026 22:10

If it is a communial pavement I would advise just let kids be kids, believe me it could be a lot worse and it will go away when it rains. Things like this make me happy, but everyone is different.

If it is your own private path to your door; that is a little cheeky, however again as above and maybe put a request in like “can you draw me some pretty daisies” or something?

They could be throwing stones etc so take your wins.

Gribouille · 19/08/2026 22:13

Go out in the night with your own chalk and cock and balls it; parents'll be washing it off themselves tomorrow...

HoldMyWine · 19/08/2026 22:13

Get a life

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.

Wordsmithery · 19/08/2026 22:17

Which is better for kids, their development and therefore future society? Playing outdoors, being creative and having fun with friends or sitting in their room in front of a screen, alone?
There's your answer.

Imisscoffee2021 · 19/08/2026 22:17

If this is real, which I doubt ... why do people prefer the municipal grey aesthetic of common slabs over the bright colourful expression of imagination that is chalk drawing? I swear some people want soulless surroundings.

Stuckinhospital · 19/08/2026 22:18

Aibu that I really want to go draw an obstacle course on the pavement outside and then watch ring door cam to see if anybody does it and really hope the posh neighbours do.

ShedShedShed · 19/08/2026 22:18

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.

Why is chalk rude? It's just calcium sulfate

Stuckinhospital · 19/08/2026 22:19

ShedShedShed · 19/08/2026 22:18

Why is chalk rude? It's just calcium sulfate

Chubby brown has nothing on chubby chalk.

SixtySomething · 19/08/2026 22:20

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?

This is a time-honoured children's game.
My friend and I did this around 1965, a safe distance from where we lived. We chalked on the pavement and when someone living nearby opened the front door, we ran away as fast as we could, laughing fit to burst and feeling so daring! I still remember the edxcitement.

ShedShedShed · 19/08/2026 22:21

grasshopperhop · 19/08/2026 22:09

I hate chalk on the pavement and would never let my children do this. It’s totally unnecessary and looks awful! I’d be out there with a hose and broom!

Haven't you got anything more interesting to do with your life than scrub pavements?

billybear · 19/08/2026 22:25

once it rains it will disappear,cheap things for kids to do harmless.they could be doing a lot worse kicking footballs over your fence all day, sceaming at the top of their voice,

Dollymylove · 19/08/2026 22:28

Bloody hell OP you could give the Grinch a run for his money 😆

HollyIvy89 · 19/08/2026 22:30

ShedShedShed · 19/08/2026 22:18

Why is chalk rude? It's just calcium sulfate

As I detest it lol I can’t stand it. It’s rude when it’s in my eye line.

vodkaredbullgirl · 19/08/2026 22:32

.

Playing Outside Pinkalicious And Peterrific GIF by PBS KIDS
Cosyblankets · 19/08/2026 22:34

Did you never play hopscotch?

JustAnotherWhinger · 19/08/2026 22:34

Stuckinhospital · 19/08/2026 22:18

Aibu that I really want to go draw an obstacle course on the pavement outside and then watch ring door cam to see if anybody does it and really hope the posh neighbours do.

The kids in our street were absolutely delighted earlier when a very posh sounding lady in her 60s who recently moved here asked “ooh may I?”

They’re praying someone from number 4 does it before it rains as then they’ll have had an adult from every house on the even side take a turn. It’ll make their year I think if someone does 😂

Stuckinhospital · 19/08/2026 22:36

JustAnotherWhinger · 19/08/2026 22:34

The kids in our street were absolutely delighted earlier when a very posh sounding lady in her 60s who recently moved here asked “ooh may I?”

They’re praying someone from number 4 does it before it rains as then they’ll have had an adult from every house on the even side take a turn. It’ll make their year I think if someone does 😂

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

scalt · 19/08/2026 22:38

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

dreamiesformolly · 19/08/2026 22:38

Good grief, there are some joyless souls around. Anyone would think chalk was indelible. I rather like seeing kids' chalkings on the pavement myself, and I'd far rather see kids playing hopscotch than some of the other things they could be spending their time doing.

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