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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New neighbours....

38 replies

Lukat · 06/06/2012 09:21

Hi, new neighbours renting house opposite us and firstly their children have took to using their upstairs window as a viewing area to stare into our living room.... With a telescope!! I have to have my curtains closed as feel Aa though they are always looking.... Have caught them many times.
Also, we live on a cul de sac, 4 houses and very quiet, the children who live in cul de sac Inc mine, play right outside our house which is fine, and usually safe. However, the new neighbour (dad) races into cul de sac in his car like he is on a race track... also reverses off drive in a rush too!! I am concerned for the kids playing as it's only a matter if time until there is an accident..aibu to ask him to slow down? Also, HOW to ask him without being horrid. And to tell him about kids staring.

OP posts:
TheCunningStunt · 06/06/2012 09:26

Just knock on the door, introduce yourself and tell them? I don't get how you could be horrid. "you might not be aware, but your children's telescope is peering right into my living room, could you ask them not to please?"

Cockwomble · 06/06/2012 09:34

Not helpful, but the word "horrid" makes my teeth itch!

I'd just knock on and have a word really. Don't get aggressive.

Original poster
Lukat · 06/06/2012 09:52

Horrid was the wrong word.... Just don't want to offend as they have only moved in a few days ago...

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 06/06/2012 10:40

Go over and introduce yourself first. The driving is an issue but I would really not be tempted to make anything too much of the 'watching' - unless you're doing something really exciting in the living room? In fact the drawn curtains are likely to get them into it more. Most kids are likely to give up completely and get bored after a quarter hour of you all eating pizza or watching telly.

As soon as you become real people and not 'Them across there' they should start behaving normally and you'll become less tense.

TheMonster · 06/06/2012 10:42

Stand and stare back at the kids when they are watching you.
I'm quite fat so kids often stare at me. I stare back.

Incaminka · 06/06/2012 10:46

Put up a poster in the window with some maths on it. That'll bore them away.

WorraLiberty · 06/06/2012 10:50

Don't worry about the kids looking into your house. Their house (and yours) is new to them, I'm sure they'll get bored.

Just wait til you see the Dad in the street and go out and have a polite word about keeping his speed down.

Original poster
Lukat · 06/06/2012 11:03

Love the top tip of putting up a maths poster, yes I agree that they will get bored with it. Just hate people staring at me, especially when watching (jk) lol!!!
It's more the driving, my girls love to get scooters out and have a play on the front, one of the reasons we chose this house.

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AnyoneForTennis · 06/06/2012 11:08

But your girls are on the pavement and not road?

EveryGoodBoyDeservesFun · 06/06/2012 11:15

I used to live at the end of a cul de sac when my children were small and I had the same worries about one of the neighbours driving in quite quickly. I used to put a large orange cone in the middle of the turning circle if they were out playing. It also warned any visitors to any of the other houses to slow down.

WorraLiberty · 06/06/2012 11:18

Couldn't you be prosecuted for blocking the road?

treadheavily · 06/06/2012 11:19

Issue a list of rules of the cul de sac. Clearly these were missing from their Moving In handbook.

AnyoneForTennis · 06/06/2012 11:22

Last time I looked roads were for cars....

Original poster
Lukat · 06/06/2012 11:23

It's a small cul de sac with 4 houses on... The 4 house owners know that kids play and are very considerate when driving into cul de sac. However, 1 home owner has moved but rents his house out. This is how this issue has occurred, I am sure once I say something they will be ok, I just hate thus type of thing. Another problem is that they have a gorgeous dog, not a dog hater, we have one and I work with animals.... It's just that I know they are not allowed animals in house as I am friends with home owners and they contact me to see if all ok with house..... Do I tell them???

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Original poster
Lukat · 06/06/2012 11:24

Anyonefortennis- yes your not wrong!!! I'd your post useful????

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Original poster
Lukat · 06/06/2012 11:25

*is

OP posts:
Original poster
Lukat · 06/06/2012 11:26

Treadheavily- no rules just safety!!!

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FrozenChocolate · 06/06/2012 11:26

Yes, tell them about the dog.

LemarchandsBox · 06/06/2012 11:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EveryGoodBoyDeservesFun · 06/06/2012 11:26

There was always plenty of room for the cars to pass, but it was just to try and warn them to slow down. It certainly didn't block the road and it was only out if the kids were playing. As soon as they were back in the garden or driveway they brought it back in.

LemarchandsBox · 06/06/2012 11:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

twofurryones · 06/06/2012 11:30

Glad to see that everyone is defending the neighbours right to drive like a nob. Surely this is part of the reason some children never get to play out any more because drivers show a total lack of consideration to others and think their right to go fast is paramount.

AnyoneForTennis · 06/06/2012 11:30

Well if you are sure they will be ok with it, go and speak to them!!

Things change, people move out/ in all the time.... You can't police the road yourself you know..

AnyoneForTennis · 06/06/2012 11:32

You posted in AIBU, my post doesn't have to be 'useful'

Original poster
Lukat · 06/06/2012 11:32

I agree that the kids don't have right of way over road, just want him to be aware that they do play out there. His girls have been roller skating out there with my girls and as much as I am thinking it could be my children he hits.... It also could be his!! Just want him to slow down, there are 2 corners to get round and speed bumps so he must attack them at speed to be honest... Hard to explain but you HAVE to slow down in my opinion.

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