annoying kids

[Shelly32]

We live in a cul de sac and our neighbours are mostly lovely. We have two girls who are 2.5 and every time we get back from work/nursery/anywhere, we are inundated by the neighbourhood kids who want to touch /hold/play/cuddle with our girls. It's got to the stage that I don't want to go out in our garden as two boys 4/5 pop their heads over and even climb over to play with teh girls. AIBU? I sometimes want to sit out and play with them on my own or with their dad. I don't want to have to stay inside as I don't want to be rude to these kids. I feel suffocated and a little trapped. Should I be grateful we have kids that want to be our kids' friends? Am I a misery? I actually think I just want some space as it's relentless. Kids knock on ourr door almost every day to see/play with the girls.. They're 2.5 FGS..

Tell them no or would they mind coming back another time. Yanbu not to want kids interrupting a lot. Yabu if dont tell them or their parents.

I wouldn't go too far- your girls are young now but they may want people to play with in time so it may be better to find a balance of letting them play sometime but understanding it's not at any old time.

Oh dear shelly these are just little kids and obviously adore your daughters I am assuming they are twins , these little ones sound adorable they could be kicking and punching and ripping up your garden I know which i would prefer ,

you just say NO and you ask them to leave you alone for a bit - they are just being nice

YANBU I think it's fine to want your own space and I would just say to the boys sorry x doesn't want to come out to play right now but maybe tomorrow?

They all sound very sweet though!

I'm sure youw'll get some replies saying how lovely to live in this kind of neighbourhood, but Yanbu to feel suffocated, and you are well withing your rights to ask children nicely to go home. Perhaps you don't feel able to do that because you aren't familiar with older children, but most children will comply nicely if you talk to them assertively but kindly

Sorry about spelling - ipad

Like mine jamie

OP all you have to say no the girls cant play today smile and shut the door they are going to be playing out in a few years these kids might be her friends or your daughters might be infatuated with toddlers when they are 3 and 4

Mrsjay

I meant they comply nicely when someone other than their parents ask them [=wink]

yeah i was just being a bit silly jamie

I had exactly the same thing in my old house. I used to end up with the children from 3 other houses in with us - my dd was 18 months and they were 8/9. They used to start off by playing with her and then move on to playing with her things, often making a hell of a mess and coming close to breaking some of it. I know that one of the children did not have a happy home life so most of the time I didn't mind them coming in, but learnt to be very strict with how they behaved when they were at our place. I also learnt to say 'Not today, we have a lot to do/dd is very tired/I'm just making dinner' or whatever. They were fine with that - I would have a row of disappointed faces but they didn't hold grudges and would be back the next day/next weekend! And on occasion it worked in my favour - they kept dd occupied for a while and I managed to get a couple of things done. I'd be honest with them - just say "We just want to play by ourselves today, ok? So you can't come in to play today. We'll see you another day." be honest with them - don't tell them the girls are having a nap if you plan on playing with them in the garden as they'll hear and assume the girls have woken up and now they can play!

YANBU I would just smile and say no the girls are not playing today and shut the door.
With regards to them climbing over the fence can you plant some climbing plants and tell them so, then ask then not to climb as they will damage the plants or hurt themselves. Eventually the plants will offer more privacy too.

I let the neighbour kids play with DD, even when I CBA. The neighbours are lovely and it is goodwill in the bank.

Lots of good advice. I agree, they are nice kids and i am lucky they aren't doing worse like tearing up the garden but I still feel like I need to be able to be inthe garden without feeling suffocated. There is NO peace. I will say no but no can't always be the answer. I'm sure when the girls are older, I'll appreciate the attention and distraction but as for now, it's a nightmare!

you could say HI kids and say oh we have to go in now go to your own house and play and then just chase them off ,