Neighbours child constantly over the garden fence

[AmIRetirementAgeYet]

AIBU

My neighbour's child is constantly climbing the fence and perching their head over to talk to myself and my child throughout the day.

They are constantly listening out for the door to open or close and shout hello as soon as one of us comes out into the garden. Then they climb the fence to talk to us.

Now I don’t mind a chat but this child is constantly interrupting our conversations or play. Asking to come over to join us or asking where my child is and if he wants to play.

My child will often go inside because he gets no peace or let up from this child even when he says he does not want to play. The parents leave this child to their own devices a lot of the time but even when they are in the garden they do not ask their child to get down and stop bothering us.

What would you do in this situation? It is making us very uncomfortable but we don’t want to be rude either.

How old is he? Is he likely to break fence?

it sounds really annoying and I can understand why you are wanting to tread carefully

You could go round, knock the door and ask them to stop their child doing it.

You’re just looking for excuses not to say anything. You’ve been given suggestions which you’ve ignored.

He is 6 now so has the potential to break the fence. He is standing on the middle rail of the fence.

Thank you for understanding.

I’ve not ignored any suggestion. I really appreciate the suggestions so far and will have a chat with the child and his parents.

Sorry for asking for some reassurance that I am not being unreasonable. I thought that this is what this forum is for?

Id actually prefer to deal with a JW than this situation as I have no relationship with them and don’t have to live next door to them.

The kid is just poking his head over the fence to chat. Annoying but hardly feral.

You sound like a nasty piece of work.

I wouldn't like to be one of your kids. They must be terrified of you

So would I to be fair. JW are polite and won’t visit again after the first you turn them away.

Children have tougher skin so you can be blunter with them.

But you have been told/advised on what to do - yet here you are procrastinating because you cant handle a neighbours spoilt kid?

As said, spikes and nails on the fence.

“Hi Josh, nice to see you but we’re not chatting today. Please can you stop climbing the fence as I don’t want you to break it or hurt yourself”.

It will probably take quite a few times but hopefully he will tell his parents what you’ve said and then they will realise you don’t want the interruptions so will try to monitor it.

Good luck.

Oh poor child sounds very lonely and desperate for connection :(

I'd open and close the door frequently when no one is going outside just to annoy the kid.
Then do a lot of watering when they pop up, especially the side where they live.
Any questions I'd ignore completely.

I'm disgusted by the suggestion of putting spikes and nails on the fence. Why risk injury to people or animals when you could just have a conversation?

Do you share this same pseudo outrage at potholes - equally harmful to people/animals etc?

🤦‍♂️

Potholes are not created deliberately or maliciously.

Your suggestion is both deliberate and malicious.

And please go away with the sneering "pseudo outrage" comments.

I think you need to text the neighbour and say two things.
He is a nice little fellow BUT

1. He is risking his safety and damage to the fence by constantly being on it. Please adk him to stop climbing on OUR fence.
2. You would like to be able to enjoy time in your garden without your time with your son being constantly interrupted by him.
3. We would like some privacy.

We appreciate your understanding.

If they want to fall out that is on him.
They are shit parents that clearly just leave him on his own.
That is not your issue or responsibility.
You want some peace in your own garden.
You are entitled to it.

If you can afford it look at blocking his view somehow. Perhaps putting some posts up and some sails to block his view.

I know he's just a child and I feel for him, but this must be so annoying.

Angle a parasol? Fake bamboo in a pot? Gazebo?

You'll have to say something. No way I would let a child climb up my fence. Little boys get bigger. Tell his parents that if he damages the fence they will be paying for a new panel and instalation.

As it’s your fence it puts you in a better position to speak to the parents and explain he is damaging your fence as well as interrupting your family time.

Why not an electric fence?

The more I see your comments the more I like you 🙂‍↕️

Deliberate and malicious?

😂

I'd call it preventative. But you do you with your pseudo concerns...

What’s wrong with you, apart from your overuse of ‘pseudo’?

Overuse?

I used the word twice.

Sorry that you cannot seem to be able to handle that.

And back to the first part of my question?

Obviously what you call it and what I call it are two different things.

And I am concerned by the fact that people and animals might be hurt. Nothing "pseudo" about it. Your goading isn't going to tempt me into being uncivil to you either.