To ask this child's mum to please keep her out of my garden.

[PrettyFelineSquashedThyme]

Quite often people will stop and have a look at my cat in the window, he is of course very gorgeous and loves a fuss, however what’s been happening recently has made me fairly annoyed.

A few days ago I noticed a child of around 4 or 5 knocking on my window to get the attention of the cat, the window he sits in is facing the road but set about 2.5 in metres into very densely planted garden, which is currently full of young plants. I figured as a one off I wouldn’t say anything, however it keeps happening.

my question is, what would you do in this situation? Would you speak to the mum? I’m admittedly a complete wuss and hate confrontation but also my plants are getting damaged.

Edit: title should say “child’s mum” mum is not a child, but an adult.

Throw a bucket of water out of the window upstairs to the one in question?

No you don't ask. That's asking then to walk all over you. You tell them. Go out and shout at the child. That'll stop them doing it. If the mum is there shout at her too. You're being too soft.

When i had this problem i bought film for the windows, we can see out but no1 can see in to bother my cats :)

I’d go outside and say loudly but kindly and smiling, to the child ‘ohh don’t stand on there darling my plants are getting squashed! You can wave to the cat from the pavement :)’

Do you live near me? 😀 I have a similar front garden with no boundary wall between the pavement and it, and I frequently find children in my garden. One was actually pulling the heads off my flowers 🙄 I’ve found that putting up a low fence has helped enormously as has putting planters along the paved bit of the garden that’s open to the pavement.

You’d think it would be obvious it’s a private garden, but some people are just a bit dense, and unless it’s clearly separated, will continue to use it.

hosepipe

I think it is obvious, some people just don’t respect it.

many years ago when I still had box bushes as a border, a whole family stepped over them and trudged through my garden because the pavement was blocked by a van. It was winter so nothing was alive but I was still very annoyed.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

They haven’t been back so unfortunately the opportunity to chuck water at a little kid has passed. I’ll keep a bucket handy in case any of you lot stop by 😉

Put up a funny sign:

My name is Trevor. I’m a four year old Tabby. I DO bite. Do not enter my garden. My Mum gets cross with the hoards of people coming to admire my handsome face. She also bites. If you insist on looking at my beautiful whiskers, stay on the pavement. Trevor 🐾.

You are so scared of confrontation that you can't tell a 5 year old to get out of your garden? 😕

I suspect it is the 5 year olds Mother the OP is concerned about. I can understand why, I live near people who'd damn near rip your head off if you as much as speak to their kid, never mind tell them off for something!

A one-off, I’d let it pass. More than that, you need to speak to them.

He is gorgeous!!! I love the idea of a PP of doing a sign from him

Blimey, I’d be fuming if someone banged on the window at my cat! Get out there and tell the kid next time, no idea why you didn’t. 10+ feet into the garden?!

@SpringerFall

how about 'fits one child'

🤣🤣

Just say don’t enter my property. These are my plants and your child has damaged them. Do not cause further damage.

Be prepared, if they look like they're doing it again, replace your cat with a big scary Halloween ornament of one, with full red flashing eyes and fake blood driving from its mouth??

Sorry, not right to scare a little child, just joking of course, couldn't resist it though 😉

I would politely explain to the Mum that the banging on the window frightens your cat and also you! Xx

Buy a box of chicken manure pellets and scatter inside your gate. Absolutely stinks.
Look concerned and tell the parent you’ve sprayed the garden with a highly toxic weed killer & do hope dc hadn’t got it on their shoes or skin.
Put up a sign Beware of Adders.
Or Beware Broken Glass. ( oh dear, you dropped a huge vase in your garden and not had time to pick up the pieces yet)
Hang the biggest windchime you can find where said child will walk into it.
Record a bomb exploding and play it at full volume from a hidden speaker when you see the dear child in your garden.

It isn’t confrontation to say “I realise your child is keen to see the cat, but could they stay out of my garden please and not bang on my window? I’m growing young plants here, and also the banging is scaring the cat and disturbing me. Thank you, I’m sure you understand, have a lovely afternoon “

It’s a polite and reasonable request to someone who is being out of order.

@PrettyFelineSquashedThyme

He's gorgeous, a pale version of my old boy - took my breath away.

if they come back, just say hello (to the kid) and just tell her to please stay out of your garden.

if the mother kicks off on FB just reply. 'My cat doesn't like kids banging on the window & startling him & I don't like kids trampling on my flowers.

it's not confrontational.

We need to see a picture of the cat to know how much cuteness is involved 😂

Put one of these in the window. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scary-Peeper-Halloween-Decoration-Animatronics/dp/B01313IK1S

Failing that, borrow a big scary looking barky dog that gets on with cats.

Walk out and scream. And say they startled you and please don't do that again they nearly gave you a heart attack trespassing on your property.

How about some reflective window film, it would give you privacy, you would still be able to see out, but people can't see in or see your cat. It's very easy to install and keeps your house cool as reflects some sun. Example reflective window film

My son and his friends like to say hello to a local cat on their way home from school (and the owner is fine with that, if she’s in the garden she talk to us etc) but we always tell them not to go on the drive and just to say hello from the footpath; the cat is usually under the car on their drive or on the door step.