Thanks for your suggestions. Yes, we do have a bolt, although it's more of a 'mental barrier', because it's easy to unlock from both sides. It works, nobody comes if they aren't invited. Let me describe it this way - we can't really go out to the patio, drink coffee or, I don't know, play badminton with our own children, because there will be children on the other side, saying, will you let me in please. Now, I don't mind a child or two, but once one person comes, it's suddenly five, six (and more). So how do i delicately explain it: 'Today there's no playing in our garden', if they will ask (they will!) why my daughters are playing in that case. I could answer by saying 'because it's their garden', but it could sound a bit harsh. Or I could say: 'Today [my elder daughter] can play on your side of the street, but not here', but how do I justify that to them? (I know I don't have to justify anything, it's my back yard, but I don't want to sound rude). They'll ask, (as they have before), why not? What do I say? Also, I'd like to ask you, how many times a week do you have children coming over? And how many of them do you have? It's a new situation for me here, we didn't have children visiting on their own in the previous house, so I'm asking myself if it's me not having got used to having a dozen people out there every other day or am I justified to want to have a little peace and quite. Just to add one thing - yesterday I told my elder daughter that she can go out and invite whoever she pleases. Four children came at first and I was at home doing some housework. And then I saw this neighbour coming with his toddler (nobody invited him, it was the gate which was open and he had figured out he could come), I popped my head round the door, smiled, said hello, sorry, I can't come out right now, busy with work, and disappeared inside the house. And imagine, he sat there, on my patio for another 15minutes, the only adult in the back yard. My husband or I felt trapped inside the house. That time I didn't go out on purpose, because new, smaller children were coming in. I didn't want their parents to think there's somebody watching over them. And then it was time for us to go to a shop, so I kind of said that everybody must get out now (more politely, though). Shrubs, bushes are a must, but until that time... :) Do you think saying 'time to go home' is ok, really? not to harsh (with other parents able to hear it all the time)? Maybe telling the parents directly that all the kids all the time is too much is a good idea, I'll think about it... right now I'm giving them some hints (like I won't be there all the time, so it's their responsibility).