Rude neighborhood kids.

I think the problem does not lie with you, it lies within the parents and our society, we have become lazy with the respect issue. Some people just do not teach their children respect. When I was a kid, if I threw a ball that landed in someone's yard, I was told go to the door and ask for permission to get it. Respectfully, that would be ideal, however, nowadays children lack the respect. I am only 23 so it wasnt that long ago that it was still in play. I think parents have the obligation to teach respect to their children. You are so not wrong!

I've never had problems with kids in my neighborhood (I'm still a teenager myself). I live in the city, and the kids mostly hang around parks. When they consider you their friend, they'll respect you and listen to you. Sometimes being mean, scary, and authoritative will make them dislike you even more and they will intentionally try to anger you as a form of rebellion or intentional disrespect. I recommend bribing them with cookies, candy, ice cream, or popsicles. My mother runs a summer resort and she always treats the kids staying there to foods like that; then when she uses her authoritative tone, they listen to her.

Don't you know they are doing these things around your house because they cant do them near their own houses!

i don't blame you for being annoyed and angry. i would be, too. There is no need for their rudeness. If they lose a ball in your yard, they can use the gate and if they don't see the gate, they can knock on your door and politely ask to go back to get it. They don't need to climb your fence. They also don't need to throw balls into you sign. i know some of them just aren't thinkig and they do it cuz they think it will be fun, but for the others to sit and backmouth you! OHHHH!!!!! That is just UNACCAEPTABLE! i would be talking to their parents.

Those things would annoy me too!! Especially in a new house!! WE have a really big badk yard and there aren't any gates on it and people are always walking through our yard, one day I had the windows open and this Hispanic man went walking right by our house, he wasn't in the yard jusy walking right around our house, it scared the crap out of me because he was on a cell phone talking really loud in Spanish. People think they can just cut through our yard instead of walking around, it is so rude!! I don't think you are being a grumpy old lady at all!!

I know it is hard to be firm but "friendly" with the new neighbors..but you do have to let them know the way it is..or they will take advantage of you..if they keep on doing it you might want to become friends with their parents..and just ummm mention it..in a nice way..I bet that would put a stop to it..and you might have a new friend..oh yeah..do you live in Lancaster S.C? That is where I was born..:) when I saw your profile a while back on another article I had to smile thinking of my home town..

true. kids will be kids but isn't it better if kids are kids who know the value of respect? sure they can play. ofcourse it's their right to. but why can't parents train their kids with respect? i hate it when i see kids who don't know how to respect people anymore. there's no more family value and moral value these days, huh? as for you, i hope those kids will learn how to not treat you bad. you also live in the neighborhood and you also have rights.

It would help if you got a dog running around your backyard. Definitely the kids will stay out of it. Or get a higher fence on the area where they tend to climb. I was just telling my husband as we looked around for houses today if it is possible to put a barb wire fence around the house so that people will stay away from the house. My husband just laugh at me. Just try to put a No trespassing sign, private property thing on your gate. Or I had read a sign that says " Do not worry about the dogs, beware of the owner" kind of thing in one of the houses I saw. Probably it was meant as a joke or the people living in the house had enough of rude neighbors, etc. I hope the kids will find somewhere to play because that is so irritating to hear noise outside and all you want is to have peace around you.

I understand your problem. If possible try to strike a friendly relationship with the kids. If possible, even play with them for a while. Once they are comfortable with you, they will start respecting you and your words. Also, you can have a good influence on the kids.

It seems like when new people move in to established neighborhoods the bratty kids have to see how far they can push you. I would go to the parents and politly tell them what the kids are doing that disturbs you and then hope the brats dont burn down your house when your away. It will either work or it wont. Since you have already talked to the kids and they havent paid attention. Another thing you could do is put a sprinkler back there that will get them wet if they come in the yard. Or accidentaly spray them with the hose.

hello there... i usually have the same problem like that.. i dont have personal problems with kids but what they sometimes do, gets into my nerves and its really annoying. i dont noise too much and im a very quiet person (when its quiet time).. when im in a good mood, i usually can deal with them... and will even play with them. but when im not, its just making me cry (i know it may sound exaggerated. but i work the night shift and trying to get some sleep in the morning is really hard and frustrating)... anyways, i have sympathy for you dear... i dont know what advise to give you.. cos my attitude is, i usually just get used to it. sometimes, it works out that way, sometimes it doesnt... goodluck...

I agree with you I would not want the kids throwing a ball against the side of my house. I do not want the kids climbing over my fence eigher. You go ahead and be a grumpy man. The neighborhood kids need to learn where they can and cannot play. I can tell you if something happened to one of those brats while playing outside your home or while climbing over your fence their parents will be down your neck or have you in court. You need to protect your property and your self from some peoples kids. Good luck

You don't state what country and whether in a city or smaller community you live. Speaking from experience with difficult neighbors the law will not protect you. And should one of those children get injured while climbing your fence you will be sued and lose in court if you are in the USA. As property owners we do have the right to protect what is ours. However we have to find a way to do so without others being able to charge us in the wrong. If those kids are so bad it's highly unlikely you will obtain any desirable results from their parents. They had to learn that behavior somewhere and it's usually at home. You would be much better off to replace your fence and gate with as high as one your ordinances allow and post a no trespassing sign. Don't even let the kids in your yard to get their ball. They need and should be going to your door and requesting permission to enter your yard. Their parents obviously have not taught them right but it doesn't mean you have to allow what's happening. You need to protect yourself from them getting hurt on your property and you need to make your yard off limits to them so they can learn to respect and value that ball their playing with if not you.

That loud noise would scare my toddler half out of her mind. She frightens easily. Kids don't respect people's property, even if you post signs. For that matter neither do adults. Our next door neigbor, walked right into our yard and around the side of our house and jerked the electric meter reader device off the wall. I think the guy was off his rocker!

This really shows that our education in this socitey need some reaveal and improvment .... i think we should start by teaching people some manners by saying a simple thank you . if everyone has the manners especially the childrens's parents , such things will hardly happend .

I don't think you're being grumpy at all. That just shows you which kids are being raised by decent parents. I was at the park few weeks ago(we moved here a year ago). They have this button you can push and this mist of water comes out and cools the kids off. I was holding it in and all the kids were laughing and playing in it. Then this little rotten 6 year old boy comes up, slaps my hand away and says My Turn!! I was "this" close to smacking the kid back as an instinct lol...then had to stop and think wait, can't do that :) I don't know where his parents were unfortunately, I would've given my 2 cents. If I were you, and asked the kids to stop doing this or that, and they smarted back, I'd say OK, you can go ahead and leave now and find somewhere else to play then. I don't need some smart a$$ talking back to me so go. If they refuse, call the police(non emergency #) and tell them the kids are being destructive to your property. That way, the little smart a$$ed ones can start getting used to the police, and what they'll be dealing with as they grow older :)