Fed-Up Parent Bans Neighbor’s Unruly Kids From Her Yard — Chaos and Neighborhood Drama Ensue

As the adult in the neighbourhood, you have to make tough decisions sometimes, even if the kids don’t like them. After a year of the neighbor’s kids acting more and more carelessly when they weren’t with an adult, one parent called the cops to protect their property and the peace by having the kids officially trespassed. Now that their own toddler is ready to explore the outdoors, they’ve decided to put up a playset in the garden, which has apparently made them “the bad guys.”

Someone they knew said they were “flaunting wealth” and mean for “eliminating” the neighbour kids’ play area, even though they did it because of repeated damage to property and dangerous behaviour. But is it really mean to set clear limits and make sure your child has a safe place to play?

Being a kind neighbor is usually free, unless it costs you your windows and fresh paint job

One woman tries to play nice with the local kids, but things get out of hand when they turn her property into a playground

You’re Not Responsible for Other People’s Kids

To be clear, having kids doesn’t give you permission to use other people’s stuff. Even though it’s a shame that the kids next door don’t have a good outdoor space, you don’t have to let them use your driveway, your house’s walls, or your peace as a playground. That is not your fault as a parent, but theirs.

Parenting Science says that kids can become more independent through free play as long as it is safe and doesn’t hurt anyone else. People in this case repeatedly didn’t care about personal property, like when they broke windows and threw rocks at the house. That’s not just kids being kids. That’s dangerous behaviour that parents are ignoring because they’re not responsible (parentingscience.com).

Calling the Cops Was a Last Resort — Not a Power Play

Also, it’s important to note that the police were only called after multiple polite efforts to stop the behaviour failed. You didn’t just go nuclear; you used your right to safety to defend your house. In many places, continuing to damage property or trespass after being warned verbally is a good reason to call the police (nolo.com).

You Built Something for Your Child, Not to Spite Theirs

It’s ridiculous to say that putting up a swingset is “showing off your wealth,” especially since you also work as a babysitter and the equipment is clearly useful for both your home business and your child. A small play structure in the backyard isn’t a luxury item; it’s a smart purchase for a family with young children.

More importantly, you couldn’t let the neighbor’s kids use it, even if you had thought about it. Their behaviour and the fact that their parents didn’t care made that impossible. Giving destructive kids free access to your property isn’t being kind; it’s asking to be sued.

Netizens side with the woman saying she is not the jerk in the story, as she doesn’t owe her neighbors access to her property