to think our neighbour shouldn't engage my 5 year old DD in conversation...

[Patiencedeficit]

... when she is playing alone in our garden? He is an adult with his own children who live with his wife. He comes over to talk to DD whenever she is playing on the trampoline. It makes me feel very awkward. I have to watch like a hawk because I am so uncomfortable but I don't know what to do about it. Not sure if I'm over-reacting. What would you do?

Yes, I know we are all aware of the correct response. A socially awkward person might not be.
It doesn't mean they are in the right. I'm just pointing out that its not necessarily the case that he took it into his head to vault the fence and have a bounce. She may well have kept asking him to have a go and he thought it was the best thing to do to keep her happy. Clearly to people who aren't socially awkward that's not the correct response

I have no problem with neighbours talking to my DD but not regularly when she is on her own. He's not even our immediate next door neighbour! Sorry if the title doesn't quite reflect the post
I feel better about dealing with it now. Sometimes I do overreact so I wanted to check with all you kind reasonable MNers. Thank you

Again...even so.

Absolutely what Pagwatch said.

sorry but why are you sitting on the internet why you are feeling awkward go out to him talking to your dd is one think playing on the trampoline is another, how would you feel if he came into your garden and sat down int he garden to read his paper or something jeez go out to him

In your position, I would knock on his bloody door and inform him that he is not to enter your garden again. I wouldn't bother being polite...it's a frigging weird thing to do.

he has a family who he doesn't live with, DC of his own...learning difficulties are improbable but even then, he needs guidance...or telling to fuck off if no LD present.

What Pag said

He's not your next door (as in, over the fence) neighbour?
So he just wandered in on the off chance there was a trampoline to have a go on; and even better if there was a resident 5 year old to play with??
I'd buy a shotgun.

Why is everything so complicated on MN?
Go round and ask him not to come into your garden without a specific invitation from an adult. Be polite but firm.
If he does it again, ask the CPO to have a word.
Why feel awkward? he's the trespasser and however well-intentioned it isn't acceptable.

Take this breach of social etiquette extremely seriously.

It's grooming. No other description. He doesn't have to actually touch her does he? Some of this is purely mental.

I think I would contact 101 for advice.

Agree with Pag, and I would put up a 6 foot fence all around the perimeter so that he can't see in or get in.

nobody would let anybody in their garden would they ? cant imagine i would be too chuffed if i went out back and some random neighbour was sitting on my bench

not even a next door neighbour, crikey.

OK, well, this has flagged up an issue: your garden is not secure, and that is of concern. Folk can let selves in, your children may not be able to let selves out yet BUT the gate may not be shut fully when folk leave, allowing a wandering child scenario. That is a massive eeek, isn't it.

Sorry, I might have missed this and I know it's not the main point, but was he actually on the trampoline or just in the garden?

Chatting over fence = ok
Coming into garden = odd
Bouncing on trampoline = very odd

he was in her garden, jumping on the trampoline with her dd

The weirdest part of this whole thread is that the OP is not really reacting to the craziness of a random neighbour inviting himself in.

is not really reacting to the craziness of a random neighbour inviting himself in.

thats what got me too she felt awkward and impolite to say something I am honestly not having a go but jeez

Does he let himself in just to talk to her too? Or lean over the fence?

Chatting to neighbours children whilst in the garden? Totally fine and indeed a lovely, neighbourly thing to do. I do it. It like children and find them good fun.

Letting self into neighbours garden? Totally not fine and overstepping the boundaries (literally, as well as metaphorically!)

Coco he's not a ndn, so no fence leaning. Tres odd.

she was indoors feeding thecbaby, so called in her dd. When she had the baby back out of the high chair presumably he had gone. When someone is there to look after the dc, OP I would suggest going round and telling him how you feel, politely of course but firmly.

I'll never forget that scene in The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo film where he is invited into the house of the killer, he knows he is the killer and yet he accepts the invitation rather than offend! Even the killer says it to him!

I'm sorry but this is totally unacceptable behaviour on behalf of an adult, male or female. I would say what Pagwatch said.

er no in that case you go and tell him to stay out of your garden.
I'd be round there like a shot.

Statistically its more likely he's trying to pull you than anything else sinister, but I can see its weird, and definitely awkward.

just talking to her in passing - nowt wrong with that. But coming into the garden and jumping on trampoline with her - no. I would get the fence heightened and a lock on the gate. Not over reaction - improves your security anyway.