To wish the neighbours would teach their children not to throw stones at my car?

[HeathcliffMoorland]

My neighbour's children (9 yo twins, a boy and a girl) go up and down the road on their scooters throwing pebbles at each other. This in itself is dangerous, as they could hit each other's eyes or other children.

They often pass my house and my car has been caught in the crossfire.

I first nicely asked them to be careful, and when this didn't work, I approached the parents. They were terribly nice, but clearly didn't do anything about it as the behaviour has continued.

AIBU to think that the activity itself is probably not the best idea?

And AIBU to wish they'd leave my poor car alone?

What makes you think they didn't do anything?

Do your children pull into line the second you open your mouth to tell them off? Every single time?

Have they actually damaged the car? If so then ask the parents to pay for the damage. If the parents continue to ignore then feel free to tell the children to stop when you see them throwing stones.

It's scratches. It wouldn't really warrant repair, but it's a new car. As I mentioned, I asked them to be careful, and this stopped them until the next day. I wouldn't like to actually tell them off, as the parents are the touchy sort.

It also happens when I'm out (I don't always bring my car).

And the parents sometimes just sit in the front garden as it happens and they say nothing.

If they damaged my car and they hadn't stopped when I spoke to their parents - I'd be on the phone to the police.

You have the right to not have to have your property damaged - sanctity of children playing above all else in the world or not. They're being antisocial little blighters carrying on (and even 4 year olds can get the message very easily that you don't play games involving stones and will tell you exactly why you don't) - parents haven't acted in an effectual manner... why should you have to sit and have your property put at risk?

Might do, emptyshell.

I never thought of it before.

YANBU. 9 years old is old enough to understand the dangers of throwing stones. My hyperactive 4 year old knows he'd be in trouble if he threw stones at someone or something. They are damaging your property. I agree you shouldn't have to put up with it just because the parents don't seem bothered by it.

Might be that the community police bods having a quiet word is what it takes for them to knock it on the head.

For what it's worth - the local kids around the back of my old place managed to put my car window out playing a similar game. Unfortunately for them, kids in my class lived on the same road and knocked on my door to tell me who'd done what, with the charming side note that "he was playing catch with stones Miss and he's rubbish at it and missed." (I had to laugh at that one - didn't laugh at the repair bill)... took a not-so-quiet word from the couple of us who'd been parked where the game was going on for it to be knocked on the head never to reappear (I think the fact I was known as a teacher at the other local school had some sway on this though).