Children chalking over our land

[Charliec12]

Hi all, am I over reacting? My neighbours brought their children some chalks at the weekend. The children are chalking everywhere with them including on my driveway which we half share with them. My OH said to one of the children tonight that the area looked a mess. Said child started crying and then the Mum came out and was confrontational and annoyed with me that I don’t agree with it looking nice in the area. I also have 2 young children and I get they want to have fun.

It will literally only last until it rains. Unless they have scrawled expletives all over your driveway, yes, you are overreacting.

Just chuck a bucket of water over it if you bothers you so much. It's not a big deal.

It’s better than them being on screens. Or trampoline noise. Or football bangs and going over your fence etc. It’s creative and temporary. The rain will wash it away soon enough.

Chalk is not graffiti spray paint. When it rains it'll all wash off

Overreacting how? You've just said your boyfriend spoke to a kid and some woman got gobby. What's your overreaction?

It will wash away your when it rains.
I used to chalk on the pavement when I was a kid, didn't you ever play hopscotch OP?
Really not worth getting angry about

Sorry but I think you are being petty and unkind.

I wouldn't say anything, there's no harm in it

Assuming they drew in your side, the neighbour is being a cf for acting confrontational, but a) kids will be bored very soon, b) chalk will wash away, c) not worth getting worked up. Neighbour could've apologised though... If it's on their side, not much you can, or should, do.

I remember my neighbours complaining about this when I was a kid, I just carried on 🤣 Don’t be such a fun sponge, let kids be kids.

It’s not a hill I’d die on. Not worth falling out with your neighbours over some kids drawings that will wash away as soon as it rains.

They couldn't just let kids draw chalk on a drive that immediately washed off when wet??

She didn't write that they didn't let the kids draw?

It’s the summer holidays - far better that children are outside playing than stuck indoors on a screen. It will wash off in the next rainfall.

I had a neighbour like this. She's gone thank goodness. All the children in our little close use chalk in the summer months. It's easily washed away with a hose or bucket. It's completely harmless and doesn't bother me at all. Honestly, there are bigger issues to worry about.

Get off my land

and you have 6 weeks of this to look forward too.....

yes you are over reacting

Seriously?!? You've upset a young child over a bit of chalk?

It's just chalk, he shouldn't have said anything. Poor little kid.

Hmmm you say it washes away but children once chalked on the side of my house and it was there for months and months, despite scrubbing - I hated it too!

Mate, it's chalk. Pull yourself together.

How unkind. Get a grip. Children's chalk drawings are a visual of children having wholesome fun - how can you look at that and feel even disgruntled, let alone cross? Was it really worth ruining a child's happiness and fun at something their mummy had got them?

I wouldn't want them on the drive if you have a car as bit of a safety risk.

But unless you are trying to sell your house or something it's a total non issue buy some chalks for your children and yourself and get out and join them.
Draw out a hopscotch, some circles for 'targets' to throw small pebbles or bean bags into etc. draw some different sized 'frames' for them to draw into. Then get a toy broom, fresh cheap decorating paint brushes and a bucket of water to do some water mark making too and get them to clean all but their favourite drawing up after taking photos of them. Your neighbours children will no doubt follow your lead. model the behaviour you want to see

Your partner could have gently but firmly told the kids that they are only allowed to draw on their own bit. Or better still had the courage to go and speak to the parent first and ask them to remind their children to only draw on their own property.

But he sounds like a right curmudgeon. It's chalk. Ffs.

This is such miserable behaviour. I'd genuinely find such a petty and grumpy man, grumbling over kids drawing with CHALK ffs, quite unattractive.