Hello everyone!
A few months ago a new neighbour moved in next door, consisting of mum, dad, and 5 Primary school age children. The mum and children seem ok, however I’m not too keen on the dad (constantly shouting at his wife and children, calling her a “slut” and “tramp”, and them “little twats”... charming!).
The fence between my garden and theirs is very old and tiny - around 2/3ft tall but not solid panels. I think it was originally made from pallets so there are just gaps everywhere, and everything is visible in both gardens. I like to go into my garden with DS and DD, however recently they don’t like to go out as next door keep staring, and it’s true! Whenever we go outside they go out in their garden, they lean against the ancient fossil of a fence (already broken some of it off too 
), and watch everything we do. I was blowing up the paddling pool for DC today and next door mum and children were out, just watching. One of her DS were leaning on the fence, and she said, and I quote (!!!!) “don’t lean on the fence XX, sit on this chair and you can watch here instead”... is that weird to you?! I hate having an audience at the best of times, but when I’m red in the face, sweating like a pig and wrestling with a paddling pool that keeps deflating, it’s going to get my back up! This isn’t a one off either, whenever I’m in the garden the neighbours will be out within 5 minutes watching every little thing we do. They don’t stare in a malicious, nasty way, but it’s just constant watching everything we’re doing. If DH and I are chatting about something NDN will pipe up and join in. She’s got a habit of “borrowing” so much stuff from other neighbours it’s getting beyond a joke.
I’m trying to be nice and see her side of it, new to the area, big change etc. But I also can’t help how I feel, and don’t think it’s fair that I have no privacy in my own back garden. I’ve gotten quotes to build a new fence, but the cheapest is £1000 which I really can’t afford at the mo, and NDN isn’t in the position to split the cost.
On top of that, they have 2 really fucking annoying small dogs that insist on barking at me ALL BLOODY DAY like I’m going to rob them at any given moment. 
The family aren’t approachable either to try and broach this subject with them, dad is very aggressive (and knocks around with drug dealers, hoorah!) and I’ve heard mum in arguments so don’t want to cause trouble literally on my doorstep.
I guess I just want to feel validated in how I’m feeling and have a rant! DH is completely blind to it all and sees no issue with it