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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Little kids chalking on pavement - is this vandalism?!

170 replies

Karlwho · 16/04/2019 17:24

Kids and their pals are out on the green in front of my house playing. Eldest kids in the group are eight, youngest is six. We live in a quiet little close, I'm hovering around front porch/livingroom window keeping an eye on them (but I'm not out every minute 'what you doing?!' If you get what I mean). Basically i can see them.
Anyway, my kids have got a big buc ket of pavement chalk, the gang aredoodl ing all over my path and house (looks fabulous, budding artists), and they then venture onto the PUBLIC path outside the garden.
Neighbour opposite comes to my door 'I don't know why your children are drawing over my path'. I went and checked that they weren't on HER path, and to make sure they werent drawing the poo emoji/getting creative with curse words etc. They were drawing flowers and boxes. Not in her property. On pathways.
Have I missed something?! Is this not allowed? she was at my door for a good ten minutes going on, and then went to the group of kids to tell them to stay over on 'my side' and not to go near her home.
dont really know if this is an aibu lol

OP posts:
AnnieMay100 · 16/04/2019 17:35

She was unreasonable to moan about that it’s just chalk and will wash off easily. Was she aware it was chalk and not paint for example? Watching children from her house would make me uncomfortable too if she says anything again tell her to mind her own business

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 16/04/2019 17:38

Crikey OP there were self drawn hopscotches everywhere when I was a kid....tell your neighbour to mind her own business...

Original poster
Karlwho · 16/04/2019 17:39

Thanks everyone, I've never had contact with this woman until this year. A few months ago a letter for me got posted tk her by mistake and that was a 15 min convo at my door. She's getting on in age and I think she wants someone to talk to more than anything. an excuse to moan is interaction etc. My kids know not to run over peoples gardens etc and stay out of other people's property, some of their buddies are a llowed a bit more... Freedom (?) From their parents. I don't have a problem with kids friends running across my garden but understand it pisses others off. T hey really were not in her property by any stretch of the imagination Hmm

OP posts:
Kaddm · 16/04/2019 17:39

Personally I let my kids chalk my house but only at the back and I also let them chalk the patio again at the back. That way they can chalk but nobody else needs to be affected. I don’t think I’d let them chalk a public or shared private area unless I had no area that was just mine.

Original poster
Karlwho · 16/04/2019 17:40

I also love seeing pavement chalking! Wow, kids still play outside!

OP posts:
longwayoff · 16/04/2019 17:40

Nope, not vandalism, traditional and historical practice. Silly woman with not enough to do.

pigsDOfly · 16/04/2019 17:41

We used to draw hopscotch on the pavement when I was a child back in the 50s. I still occasionally see children playing hopscotch and drawing flowers and what have you on the ground. I think it's great.

She's a misery but just for the sake of neighbourly peace I'd keep them away from the front of her house.

tttigress · 16/04/2019 17:43

This is not vandalism!!

Original poster
Karlwho · 16/04/2019 17:43

AnnieMay100 oh god, not thought of that! Urgh.

After speaking to me, she went up to the kids and told them to stay away from her house also adding 'it's nice to see kids playing outside '. Well... Which is it lol? I'll encourage them to stay over my end, I prefer colour over grey concrete Wink

OP posts:
Usuallyinthemiddle · 16/04/2019 17:43

They should be inside wired into electronic devices...
Sod her. Nice to hear kids playing out! Miserable old goat

Original poster
Karlwho · 16/04/2019 17:45

and lol at the suggestions of drawing naughty things near her house. She's lucky she spoke to me and not dh, cuz that's what he'd do

OP posts:
user1474894224 · 16/04/2019 17:45

If she's lonely - kill her with kindness. Get the kids to make her an Easter card. Next time you go to the shop ask if she wants anything etc etc.....soon she'll be out to chat to the kids as they draw rather than to moan.

LuckyLou7 · 16/04/2019 17:46

Buy a can of indelible spray paint and draw a massive cock and balls on her door.

Kids chalk on pavements, it's lovely and fun to do, nice to see kids playing outside and being imaginative.

Our local kids draw hopscotch and noughts and crosses and play for hours. Although I noticed 'Kayleigh has a fat bum' scrawled outside my door this morning - my name isn't Kayleigh else I'd be Angry

speakout · 16/04/2019 17:47

Buy your neighbour tickets to see Mary Poppins.

Flaverings · 16/04/2019 17:47

I think that she's BVU but I'm also curious as to why she's being such a misery guts. I'd be tempted to try the "Love bombing" approach too. If anything it'll be good for your kids to see you being neighbourly rather than rising to every slight.

AWishForWingsThatWork · 16/04/2019 17:47

Your neighbour is a cow. Honestly, what are parents and children supposed to do when they have to put up with such ridiculous nonsense from neighbours?!?! It's chalk FFS. Harmless, lovely fun for little ones. It will wash off!

NameChangeNugget · 16/04/2019 17:50

Your neighbour sounds like a tool.

In the cover of darkness, draw a phallus on her driveway, with an arrow pointing at their door

Greenglassteacup · 16/04/2019 17:50

My sympathies OP, I live next door to a miserable joy sponge like this

Greenglassteacup · 16/04/2019 17:51

Lol at phallus

Bringbackbertha · 16/04/2019 17:54

Tell her Bert will be along soon to take her on a magical adventure into one of the drawings....

Bringbackbertha · 16/04/2019 17:54

Posted too soon

Then point to the cock and balls you artistically drew in the night

SleepingSloth · 16/04/2019 17:57

We have a neighbour like this. She thinks she owns the street. Smile politely but carry on as normal.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 16/04/2019 17:57

I agree with BobBob. I think neighbours can be very territorial over their homes and they just don't want people, even children, encroaching. I don't feel the same but I accept that they do and I'd be telling the child-gang to chalk well away from neighbour's property. She wasn't disrespectful and if you thought a bit more about it, OP, you'd understand the 'Nice to see children playing outside' comment.

I'd think your husband a bit of a twat to purposely chalk something deliberately offensive too. Takes a 'sort', that does.

Chalk drawings are lovely - and colourful. We have colour on the pavement about five doors down where somebody was sick on the pavement. Give me chalk any day.

Original poster
Karlwho · 16/04/2019 17:57

Hahaha ahhhh giggling reading these comments. The Mary Poppins references are good. Funny how she came to me to whinge, considering my kids weren't doodling outside her home, jt was actually their buddies (just interrogated them a bit more (that's a joke btw)). I must be super approachable Halo

OP posts:
FriarTuck · 16/04/2019 17:58

Of course it's not vandalism but if she minds it would be polite to make sure they stay away from her home, and keep to your own property. Not everyone appreciates shared street art!
This. And maybe hose it off at the end of the day. And if you start drawing obscene images on her property you may find the police get called and your children get blamed regardless. Try seeing things from her point of view instead and being the better person. Everyone will be happier.