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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why can't you do something nice

57 replies

pissedoff2019 · 08/11/2019 20:06

Name changed as so outing.

We have an alleyway that is quite steep that leads to the primary school.

Struggle to get kids up it most days and it is well used. I decided it might be nice to make some clay shapes to make it a bit fun to walk up. Painted and covered them in PVA and stuck them up with industrial glue. They weren't great, helped by the kids but a bit of fun.

They have been up one day and half have already been pulled off. WHY would you let your primary school age kids do this in front of you and not say anything.

I didn't see it, I've heard from others what happened when they found out it was me, as I didn't broadcast it, as not entirely sure it is legal Blush

I'm just really pissed off, tried to do something nice for the kids and people have ruined it. Got to tell my kid now, what has happened now and she will be gutted, she's only 5 Angry

OP posts:
TabbyMumz · 08/11/2019 21:46

Fresh start...not if they hang stuff off it that is likely to pull it over like washing lines.

TabbyMumz · 08/11/2019 21:48

What do people mean by "they are amazing and look lovely"? I cant see any pictures.

LittleSweet · 08/11/2019 21:58

The only thing I want my dcs to look for in an alleyway is dog poo. Not because I want some, but it's just the place inconsiderate dog owners leave it instead of bagging it. I hate scraping dog poo out of my dcs shoes.
I don't understand collecting things painted by other people. I also wouldn't stick stuff on other people's fences. I think it's weird.

holidays987 · 08/11/2019 21:58

Sweet idea.
My 5yo would love to see these on the way to school, I know she'd like looking at them and it would make the walk a little easier.
Nice of you to go the extra mile and I'm sorry they were pulled down.
I wouldn't care in the slightest if this fence belonged to me. If there's any chance it was the fence owner (doesn't sound likely) you could always ask their permission.

HelloAgainYou · 08/11/2019 22:02

I think what you did is genuinely one of the sweetest things. My kids are old now but we would have really enjoyed seeing those on our walk to school.

Thank you for doing something kind, even if it didn't turn out as you expected (ie people stealing your work!)

LizzieVereker · 08/11/2019 22:04

My DCs would have looked forward to seeing these every day, we did have to walk down a long, grim alley way to get to their primary school. I really sorry this was spoiled for you.

JasonPollack · 09/11/2019 02:19

I think it's a lovely idea OP. Most people in my area are a lot less stick-up-their-arse than mumsnet and would not object to this! Maybe just something painted on the fences so it cannot be removed by the kids?

satanstoenailsandwich · 09/11/2019 02:29

Little kids want to take stuff they like so they plucked them off.

Quirrelsotherface · 09/11/2019 02:38

Mine would have loved looking at these too, it was a lovely thought. But you are being unreasonable in wondering why they were pulled off. I may have assumed they were to take anyway, following on from the rock finding etc but also lots of people allow their precious DC to take whatever the heck they like because they are the most important people in the world. See it a lot these days unfortunately!

Baboomtsk · 09/11/2019 02:54

Those are lovely, what a nice thing to do. Such a shame they were taken down. Maybe some of the kids decided they liked them so much they wanted them for themselves. Parents should have stopped them.

Creepster · 09/11/2019 03:25

Brilliant! Keep it up! The kids love them.

ferrier · 09/11/2019 03:39

If that had been my fence I would have taken them down. Admittedly my fence would be in better repair, but I personally prefer a nice stretch of fence to the clay tiles and would be extremely annoyed if someone super glued anything to my property.

spanglydangly · 09/11/2019 03:56

Little kids want to take stuff they like so they plucked them off.

And some parents just let them??? Hmm

PapayaCoconut · 09/11/2019 04:11

I hope the fence wasn't asbestos, OP. You don't want to cause damage to that.

8by8 · 09/11/2019 05:36

You might be better off painting pictures on the fences - but I’d ask the fence owners for permission first.

Upupandiwent · 09/11/2019 07:59

I think it's a lovely idea. Parents shouldn't have let the take them.
Why not ask permission off the people who own the fence to paint pictures and get some of the kids to help? I'm sure paint on the fence will only add a layer of protection from the weather, so it will be in their favour if it's painted.
If it was the back of my fence I'd really like that it was being used in this way.
You did something thoughtful and lovely, not weird at all, as some peole have said. Now don't be put off doing something else that will bring joy. My children would have loved this when they were little.

afternoonspray · 09/11/2019 08:07

OP it's a brilliant idea but maybe use coloured chalk that washes away anyway? Or hang things from branches, well tied on. I do understand why children will have tried to take them. I think I would have when I was a kid if they'd just appeared overnight, because there's no precedent that tells them these are ornaments for everyone. They were just there suddenly. I'm an adult and even now I have to stop myself from stealing some of the cuter knitted stuff when knitbombers land in our area. (Obviously I don't take anything but the urge is natural.) Do it again and maybe you'll inspire others to join in and contribute.

chamenanged · 09/11/2019 08:16

Being completely honest, as another parent I'd find this attention-seeking whimsy so I'd be disinclined to do much to preserve it.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 09/11/2019 08:16

Chalk on the pavement, hopscotch stuff like that. It washes away, but might get them moving.

nitgel · 09/11/2019 08:20

I think it was a sweet idea. People round here knit things to put on posts etc ! Its a nice touch.

Unfortunately some people just enjoy sucking the enjoyment out of life.

picklemepopcorn · 09/11/2019 08:34

Lovely idea, and actually less likely to damage the fence than any painting. I think if the fence owner had removed them, it would be hard to complain and would have to be accepted.

As it's children though, might be worth trying again. Hopefully they'll gradually get the idea that they are supposed to stay up.

Christmas ones would be cute, and would only need to stay up a month anyway!

afternoonspray · 09/11/2019 08:37

attention-seeking whimsy
It always surprises me how dedicated soem people are to being as sour and joyless as they can be. Why not brighten a tough walk to school? How is it attention seeking anyway, if she didn't tell anyone she did it?
I love street art.

winewolfhowls · 09/11/2019 08:39

I think it was a lovely idea, an affordable way to brighten up the environment. try again! Perhaps ask permission from the fence owners though and ask the school to put a note on the newsletter about it, the kids could have a competition to design their own.

nellynoo22 · 09/11/2019 08:55

It was a really nice idea op. What's the world come to

Allfednonedead · 09/11/2019 08:55

Some people are such misery-guts! OP, you did a lovely thing and I can’t imagine why anyone with an ounce of humanity would object.

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