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.

True he reacted badly and apologised. They won’t care they did it on a shared fence before and past neighbours complained about that.

Yes we own half of it on our deeds

So how is it shared?

If I had a shared driveway I'd be behaving myself with my neighbours. Especially with regards to what each other can and can't do on the driveway.

Why what will that achieve?

I wanted opinions. Many can see my point of view so that is refreshing 😊

Oh goodness, now I quite understand, you devote so much of your time to putting the bins out once a week that it's devastating for you to see some washable chalk drawings on your driveway!

I can see why you need to stay put with the alcoholic, angry husband now, a single Mum on the street would really ruin the picket fence aesthetic.

It's the start of the holidays isn't it. No one is this petty over chalk. I have also looked at your posting history either you live a dramatic life or you're a good story teller. I'm out

You know exactly what I mean. Have fun just don’t annoy others. It isn’t difficult for my kids to follow.

That is nothing to do with this post to be honest.

I'm surprised at the hard time the OP is getting here.

In what world is it OK for kids to trespass and deface property? Just because it's "summer" and "holidays" ?? No. They need to learn respect for others more than they need to chalk.

And whatever happened to "it takes a village" ? That concept doesn't just mean the village gets to pay - it means that all adults are free to rebuke and criticize children, to mold their character. I see nothing wrong with "What is this mess?!" when someone steps out to find their property scrawled on.

If the parents don't want other adults speaking to their kids, they should be out there to supervise them and keep them off others' property. I had to speak to my horrid neighbours about their dog shit, their kids, their chalk writing, their footballs, their bikes, etc. all ending up in my front garden, day after day after day. Give them an inch by trying to "be kind" and they'll run roughshod all over you.

Best to be clear about boundaries from the start.

Old news and nothing to do with this post :)

Again.

It is not your private property, it is SHARED.

They still could of asked us. My kids don’t start chalking on shared or anyone else’s area.

It's ok in a world where you realise that kids drawing on a bit of driveway with washable chalk is absolutely nothing to get worked up about at all, certainly not to the point where a man shouts at them and makes them cry.

Saying "Oh, please just keep to your side" is fine, if totally joyless. Having a quiet word with the parents is fine. Bringing them to tears? Yeah, no.

The children are NOT trespassing. It is THEIR driveway. The OP and her family share it with the neighbours.

It is half mine but the point is they could of asked. My kids wouldn’t do that as I monitor what they are doing.

You sound joyless op.
It's chalk on a shared drive. Not 'your land'. It's not a country estate that kids have been tagging with graffiti.
I think you need to unclench.

@Charliec12 Serious question - WHY does it matter? truly, why?
Honestly, I'm intrigued to know why a chalk drawing on your drive really affects yours and your partners life so much to the point you have to be so worked up over it to tell off a small child, has it really affected your day that much?

if so, word of advice, let it go - you'll be a much happier person if you do.

These things really don't matter in the grand scheme of things do they?!

I don't consider it "joyless" to keep our property looking nice; we actually do get plenty of joy from the flowers and plants in our pleasant front driveway and garden area.

The neighbour kids can get their "joy" at their own home. And keep their dog shit, footballs and chalk over there with them.

Thank you :)

OP, only listening to people that agree with you is how you end up in a miserable marriage, date a Coke addict, try and have an affair with your boss etc. Ehco chambers aren't helping you.

I listening to everyone and that is old news but nice one 👍

Much the same as you’ve achieved currently. You’re the one who seems to think it’s worth it.

I posted last night and am replying to posts today. Why mention the P word to me?

the ‘p ‘ word? you may need to dial 111 to get advice over those vapours you’re having.

Showing then my deeds? I haven’t mentioned that. Yep no need to insult people.

Old news? But you're still making the same mistakes, finding justifications for your husband's bad behaviour and taking it out on the local kids. You might want to have a look at a character who is frequently engaged in high school type drama with neighbours and colleagues, progressing from asking for advice on an obviously toxic relationship to going ahead and getting married anyway and then complaining that you're miserable and trapped, and then getting furiously angry because children are putting chalk "on your land". Your husband said "What a mess." He wasn't wrong. I'd focus less on keeping your front garden pristine and have a look at what's behind the front door.

WHY does it matter? truly, why?
Honestly, I'm intrigued to know why a chalk drawing on your drive really affects yours and your partners life so much to the point you have to be so worked up over it to tell off a small child, has it really affected your day that much?

@QforCucumber not that you asked me, but if I’ve learnt anything in life it’s that bad tempered, bitter people let it spill out if they’re confronted with any sort of joy that they have the shakiest of ground to claim moral superiority on to suck the life out of anyone else’s happiness. If the ‘back story’ is even a little bit correct then I’d present that as exhibit A.