Neighbor kids on our lawn

glad to see that theres a support group for people with bad neighbors! I've got them too and I live in the country...People from big city moved out to our quiet area with their four children and have just caused such havoc. They have been here for only 1 year and they have 3 nieghbors and all of us have had to tell them to keep their children on their own property....What makes matters worse is that the parents are the type who are gonna sue everybody for everything... If something were to happen to their kids on our property I have no doubt they would sue us. For some reason the kids just love going all over everyones yards and won't play on their own acre....I just don't get it! Thanks for letting me vent alittle! Glad I found this forum!

You know,

what did we do when we were kids? played outdoors!

what are most kids doing now days? being house plants.

There is one extreme and another extreme.

I hope that you work this out, and that the kids CAN play outside. It sure beats what is going on today with most of them.

If they are picking on your kids, tell them to go away. Otherwise, try to remember what it was like when you were a child. We only get one whack at it! :)

I love it that they play outside...we played outside when we were kids but we played in our own yard or in our friends' yard. Our parents would have skinned us alive if we damaged or caused a problem to other peoples property... we wouldn't just go onto someones property and throw rocks, run through flower beds and play basketball in your driveway while your trying to get the baby to sleep. The parents don't care what the kids do as long as they stay out of their hair and out of their yard. It's a matter of respect for others privacy and property.

EXACTLY! if those children don't show respect, then tell them, authoritavely to LEAVE now!

If they are just being kids, then it's our jobs as parents to let them do that, because that's kinda part of letting them have a little bit of the action like we did.

If they are being bad, just TELL them they aren't welcome anymore. If they have short term memory problems after at, put up the sprinkler system that someone mentioned earlier, which I found hilarious, but also told to a friend who has problem with deer.

Hi Everybody,
I have been reading this entire post this morning, and I certainly do not think you should have to change anything about your property to keep someone's children from tearing anything up. Even though I do not have any babies yet, I do plan on it, and let's keep in mind, that we are dealing with KIDS!! And Obviously, also some VERY LAZY and irresponsible parents!

As far as calling the police, I don't think I would do that either. Have you noticed if it is only your yard and driveway that they are terrorizing, or could there be others being bothered by this too? If you haven't already, I would ask around!

I would certainly, very nicely talk to the parents, and let them know, that you have taught your own children that they can not ride bikes, or any riding toys of any kind in your yard. Because you are trying to establish your sod, and that you are an avid Gardener, and want to take very good care of the yard, and you want your children to respect that. And, that it is very hard for your children to see their kids doing something that your children aren't allowed to do in their own yard.

Now, I know that this may not be true, but, it is a thought-
I just might say to the parents that since it is the time of year you always treat your lawn, you wanted to let them know that it has been treated with a chemical that is harmful to children, adults, and pets, and lasts for around 6 weeks. And that you just didn't want anyone walking or riding any bikes, or toys in your yard. And, you have already taught your children to stay off of the front lawn, and that you certainly do not want to hurt anyone's feelings. But, that you also wanted to adress the issue so that no one got hurt. And, that you and your husband talked, and that for now, you would appreciate it, if they would help to keep all of the kids off the lawn and driveway. I don't know the age difference in your children, (whom by the way are cutie-pie's) and the lil tomboy next door, but if they aren't close enough in age really anyway, and your kids do not really like them, then I would do just that. I was a Tomboy, but I also lived in the country, but I had a close neighbor, and we knew better than to go in anyone's yard, w/o being invited and asking if we could go 1st.

Well, I hope this helps a little. And, I know that I am telling 1 little lie, but throw some 10-10-10 on it, and then it will have been treated. I know if it were me and someone told me that they had there yard treated w/a chemical that is harmful to humans and pets, and that you just had to stay off of it, I would make sure my kids stayed off of it. And if anyone uses a Lawn Maintenance Company, all of them tell you to stay off of it, including pets, for atleast 24 hours. In this case we are just saying 6 weeks, to be on the safe side. LOL

Good Luck,
Traci S

"We knew better than to go in anyones yard,w/o being invited and asking if we could go 1st." That's exactly right, we knew better and our parents made sure we knew better. I loved that part of your post...LOL I'm glad someone else remembers those days! Of coarse we (all 3 neighbors) asked in a kind but firm manner to the parents and the kids to please respect our privacy and our property and to play in their own yard. Unfortunately falling on deaf ears. The parents are planting trees and flowers on their property and the kids are not allowed to run around....So guess where they go!? The oldest son just got caught spray painting obscenities on the classroom wall at school...So that might help to put some perspective on what and whom we are dealing with. We raised our kids to be respectfull of others privacy and property and that's why it's so frustrating when this type of thing happens. Don't get me wrong, I love kids but these kids are holy terrors!

Thing that's sad is, many folks no longer know their neighbors other than a passing hello. We've become a nation afraid to talk face-to-face with our neighbors and voice our concerns when problems arise, for fear of either being shunned by them or disliked. We're afraid to make waves. I'm that way, too - not pointing one finger. But the truth is, the parents are the ones that need to be talked to, because it's ultimately their responsiblity.

My unabashed shock at that mother telling me to "put up a fence" to keep her kids out of my yard says it all. Incidently, the peeing destructo-boys have not bothered our yard since. Yay!

Kimberley your right occupants of the houses around us don't know who we are. In the old days every one knew everyone and you heard directions being given like this it's the big grass field two fences past the millers place. Most of the people who have moved here think grass is around houses and think all those grass fields are hay fields lol. They don't know the miller place from the jones place and could care less.

When I was young the neighbours smacked my rear just like I was their own kid and when I told my mother mrs wallace had no right to smack me I got another smacking for getting the first one. I can't remember anyone getting all up tight about neighbors handing out a few smacks to offenders lol. One would be sued today for less. Ernie

Oh Mercy! you guys said it all! It's true that people don't associate with one another anymore. When I first set up housekeeping the neighbor lady brought us carrot bars and introduced herself to us. That was 15 years ago..Now however everyone works (Moms and Dads) and whos home with the kids...the parents are stressed out when they get home and don't want to deal with the kids, or the neightbors....It's sad but true..but quite frankly it scares me that the next generation is growning up without any regard for others. I know that this isn't true with everyone but it's become more and more evident.

yes it is quite sad. the other day, our 15 year old blurted why one of the Aunt's couldn't make it over for the Mother's Day get together. She said "She hurt her back helping someone move a couch, and it wasn't even one of our relatives"

out of the mouth of babes, I guess. I don't think she meant it to come out that way. I know she has friends that she would give the shirt off her back to....... It sure made the room stop for a moment, though!

I know that I've complained about the beastie boys but they live in only one house in our block. I am so blessed right now because the dump that is next to me keeps getting rented to really wonderful people. I get nervous each time it becomes vacant, thinking about what kind of trashy people would want to live in that dump. Almost each time, I really received a gift from God. (Two times, I thought so at first but found out later that they were not the types of friends I'd want for long.) The first tenants are still my friends and I talk to her at least 3-4 times/week. The third tenants are now my kids' "grandparents" and came over on Mother's Day for my youngest son's birthday party and a Mother's Day picnic (of course "grandma" got a gift also!).

And the fifth tenant (who just moved in last week) is so very wonderful... I think we are becoming the best of friends! She signed a year lease so I'll have her around for a while. She has been unable to move into the house because of how dirty and in disrepair it is... so we have been cleaning and painting. Since she has no pots, pans, dishes, food, appliances (they are all in the shed while she gets the house ready)... I've been cooking dinner for her and the kids along with my family. (She brought take-out a few times also.) I am providing "doggy day care" since I have a fenced yard and she doesn't. (My dog is in doggy heaven to have a friend to play with!) I've lost nothing and gained everything.

I don't understand why people don't introduce themselves to their neighbors anymore. I am really lousy at quoting from the Bible but it seems there is a passage somewhere from Jesus as to how we are to yoke together for a lighter load... something like that.

I think Im lucky here. The worst neighbors I have right now are the teenagers who moved into the "druggie" house across the street, they have parties every other weekend but keep it pretty quiet. On monday night they were all outside with a bunch of friends talking wich wouldnt have been so bad but our windows were open and they were being very very loud after 11:00 pm. I went out and asked them to just keep it down that it was after 11, they said sorry, I said Thank you and they got quiet for about 5 minutes and then got really loud again. DH got very annoyed and went out and told them "Hey, my wife just asked nicely for you guys to keep it down, some of us have to go to work and school tomorrow and my 14 yr old just came and told me you guys are keeping her up, have some decency and just keep it down". They got quiet after that I hate having to seem mean but after 11pm on a monday night in a neighborhood were most of us have to get up early I really think you need to have some consideration for others. I dont care that they were out talking but they were getting so loud so late. I told them once that the people here might be a bit hard at first but told them thats because of the previous tenants drug dealing out of the house and all the trouble they caused with no help coming from the landlord made everyone worry about what kind of trouble we were going to have now. I try to be nice and talk to them and I realize they are still young guys, but , they have to start to realize that when you go out on your own you still have a responsability to have some respect for the people around you. My thought is if you want to act however you want whenever you want you better move out to the boondocks with no one near you to hear it.

Gemila,

I think that you AND your husband should go and talk to BOTH parents of the kid that is doing this -- with your children in tow.

In our family, we kids knew what was happening and heard what our parents said to our neighbors and how things were being worked out as adults - and they talked to us about things like why they were upset with people behaving a certain way and what they thought should be done about it.

Do check with your insurance about liability - and go armed with that under your belts - and then go in a friendly but firm way and talk first.

Then, if that doesn't work, and the child does not cooperate with the rules that have been agreed-upon, then take her little toy and put it in your garage and send her home to tell her mom why...

that's why mom folks would have done.

Best of luck to you in this...

It's a tough thing!

Janie

I agree with JanieJoy "friendly but firm" - ABSOLUTELY

Hello everyone,
I am happy to update you all in some progress. It seems the last three weeks, we haven't had any of the neighborhood kids on our lawn or driveway. The girls mother had been working lots of overtime and was hardly home leaving the dad watching the two girls. He pretty much lets them do what they want and they know it. Since their mom has been home more now, seems she's been setting more ground rules for the girls. She's more strict with them and this has helped alot. Well, these past few weeks they've not ridden their power wheels jeep on our lawn and kept the bike riding on the sidewalk only. The other neighbor kids stopped coming because they found some older kids to play with now. I really appreciate you all helping me out with your advice and will keep all of it in mind if things go back to the way they were. For now it seems there has been much improvement. Thanks again,

Gemila

Good! Glad mom's more responsible and that the other kids found other playmates. That's great.

So glad it's worked out for you. HOORAY for responsible moms!

I planted 8 hedge roses for that purpose. :-)

I live in a unfenced, subdivision lot. My backyard is larger than my neighbors'. But that is not a reason to treat mine as a public park. It got me fired up when a group of them decided to play water gun battle across several backyards, mine included.

My roses are not quite "hedge" yet. So they walked right on and across my rose bed.

I talked to these kids sternly. I told them I respected them so I talked to them directly, but I had no qualm about taking the matter up with their parents.

I crossed my finger and hope my hedge grow up fast and strong.

I still like the motion activated sprinklers... Just to watch... Glad it was resolved!