More backyard drama...

[LunchladyDoris]

Because it's not in the budget right now.

Bushes? A sign?

 

[MaumeeMom]

WHAT? Yes they do play hide and seek . All 12 and 13 year olds are not out "smoking or worse" that is ridiculous. Kids that age do still play. What a sad, sad place you must live in if kids this age don't play anymore. Heck older teens still can get a kick out of playing silly little games. These two probably had a bit of flirting going on but there is absolutely nothing to tell us this wasn't two completely innocent kids just playing around.

She has every right to call the police and they have every right to laugh at her too.

I live in the real world. At 13, I wasn't playing hide or seek either. You might find a group of boys playing football or something but that is about it. At that age, not hide and seek. Yes, kids that age, all over the country, are trying smokes and other things. If you don't think so, you're kidding yourself, just ask any teacher or guidance counselor.

Why can't you just put up a fence? Seems like the easiest solution?

A fence may not be an option. There are many neighborhoods around here with restrictive building codes - some do not allow fences.

The OP doesn't want people that she doesn't know in her yard. Her yard, her call.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

The OP doesn't want people that she doesn't know in her yard. Her yard, her call.

Thank you!

I don't know why that concept is so hard to grasp.

 

[Heidict]

WHAT? Yes they do play hide and seek . All 12 and 13 year olds are not out "smoking or worse" that is ridiculous. Kids that age do still play. What a sad, sad place you must live in if kids this age don't play anymore. Heck older teens still can get a kick out of playing silly little games. These two probably had a bit of flirting going on but there is absolutely nothing to tell us this wasn't two completely innocent kids just playing around.

She has every right to call the police and they have every right to laugh at her too.

Heck, we used to do it when we were 15 and 16. Of course it was always at night and in the playground of the elementary school that was across the street, but we won't go there. Hey, it was the country, nothing else around and no neighbors to disturb.

 

[NikitaZee]

Really??

Quite a few pages back I stated that I would let it go for the time being, unless the situation got out of hand. So I really don't understand why the sarcastic comments and berating from some of you continues. Do you folks honestly think you've never had a viewpoint or a concern or a pet peeve in your entire life that someone else hasn't found stupid or pointless, or thought to themselves, "Gee, get over it already?"

I'm with you, OP. Some folks here think that because they let neighborhood kids run and play in their yards, they are more neighborly than the rest of us. Ridiculous. My kids play in my yard - or their friends - and no one else's. If people are in my yard and I haven't invited them to be there - kids or adults - I'll say something.

If I were you, I'd open the door and yell. You can start off with "Can I help you?" and hope they get the point. If it continues, keep opening the door and asking - reminding - TELLING them to find somewhere else to play. Good luck.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Time for a huge sign that says private property.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

She has every right to call the police and they have every right to laugh at her too.

Please direct me to where I said on this thread that I was going to call the police?

 

[LunchladyDoris]

Please direct me to where I said on this thread that I was going to call the police?

Wasn't that Happygirl who posted that?

 

[dogluva]

I live in the real world. At 13, I wasn't playing hide or seek either. You might find a group of boys playing football or something but that is about it. At that age, not hide and seek. Yes, kids that age, all over the country, are trying smokes and other things. If you don't think so, you're kidding yourself, just ask any teacher or guidance counselor.

Ok, teacher here (degree in counseling too). Believe it or not, kids do play hide and seek at 12 and 13. They are still kids for Pete's sake. Sounds like you only know certain kids. I teach 6th grade in a city-they are babies and they do play. why do people want to think the worst of kids???

 

[allison443]

You are only generally liable to trespassers (unless they are children and you have an attractive nuisance) for willful, wonton, or grossly negligent actions. So yes, if you shoot someone (willful), they can under certain conditions, sue you. If you are shooting off fireworks willy nilly (wonton), they can under certain conditions, sue you. If there is an obvious hazard (such as a dog or a gigantic hole you just dug) on your property (gross negligence), they might be able to sue you.

If they are trespassers running around your property which has no obvious artificial hazards, you will not likely be sued.

This varies by state! In New York, for example, there is no distinction whether the injured person is a trespasser or invited guest. The property owner's liability would be the same whether the injured person is a burglar, the mail carrier, or a visiting mother in law. If you're liable to one, you're liable to the other.
I do not know the law in the OP's state. But I don't think the blanket statement is accurate.

 

[allison443]

I don't think it's okay to run through other people's yards. My kids are not supposed to do that, and I don't think they did. My yard is fenced so I don't have a problem with anyone coming in my yard uninvited.

OP in your situation I certainly wouldn't call the police. That is really over the top imo. I probably wouldn't do anything, but since it bothers you I would just ask the kids to leave, and if it persists (with the same kids) talk to their parents. I think you said you know where they live. Like someone else said, try to make it a nice conversation.

I think you said you live with your mom? Is she bothered as much as you? Maybe she knows the neighbors better than you do and could deal with them if necessary.

 

[bumbershoot]

With that said, there was another incident over the weekend. I was inside the house and all of a sudden a boy and girl (both 12 or 13?) came FLYING past our pool screen, screaming like banshees. I went over to the windows in our guest room and saw them standing right up by the bedroom windows. They took off around the side of our house again. I went out front to take my dog out and they were chasing each other through the whole neighborhood, running up peoples' driveways, grabbing on to cars and hiding behind them, etc. It was pretty appalling. My mom is pretty mad about it, and of course she is never around when it happens.

I saw that earlier thread. I'll tell the truth and say that I only read this first page.

If my son were doing what you describe, I would want to know. When I was growing up, that would absolutely positively NOT be allowed.

We actually moved from an apartment complex for two issues: 1, an uncontrolled, breed not allowed normally but fell under companion animal even though dog was never with the owner, and 2, uncontrolled, wild children playing in the parking lot, messing with cars, hide and seek, etc. With the second issue, we didn't see a lawsuit in the future, but a child's death in the future. And we didn't want it to be our child, and we didn't want to be the ones who accidentally killed someone because they were hiding under a car or popped out, etc. I do NOT like kids playing around other peoples' stuff.

We were always the only kids on our street so it didn't come up, but I'm sure that if some other kid ever moved down our street and got up to that behaviour, my mom would have been out there immediately, telling them in no uncertain terms that it wasn't OK to be doing.

 

[Rora]

The OP doesn't want people that she doesn't know in her yard. Her yard, her call.

My feelings exactly.

OP- you are not in the wrong for wanting these kids to stay off your property. I'd get a no trespassing sign, and if the kids are there again, I'd tell them, nicely, that they needed to stay off your property. If all else fails, talk to the parents. If that doesn't solve anything, well, then I would call the police. From what I remember, you said the kids were 12 or 13. I'm sorry but by that age rules need to be followed. Clearly the police wouldn't do anything except give them a good talking to but maybe it's all they would need to stop and have some respect for others?

I don't know why I'm always appalled by the snarky comments on threads. Of course, it's 100% okay to disagree but sheesh, being rude isn't necessary. It's so easy to misinterpret things on the internet-- IMO, it's always best to think before you type anything that would hurt someone else's feelings in real life.

 

[lillygator]

Really??

Quite a few pages back I stated that I would let it go for the time being, unless the situation got out of hand. So I really don't understand why the sarcastic comments and berating from some of you continues. Do you folks honestly think you've never had a viewpoint or a concern or a pet peeve in your entire life that someone else hasn't found stupid or pointless, or thought to themselves, "Gee, get over it already?"

no, we've all had those, it just seems to be that you can't take those posts in stride with the ones that agree with you. You were on the spot to report someone who said you where whining (which, you are - no wrong it that - but you are)......so, it's pretty obvious, you will end up being that neighbor.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

no, we've all had those, it just seems to be that you can't take those posts in stride with the ones that agree with you. You were on the spot to report someone who said you where whining (which, you are - no wrong it that - but you are)......so, it's pretty obvious, you will end up being that neighbor.

Maybe you should read the whole thread? I think I presented myself in a calm way, and multiple times I agreed with people who said to let it go. But when certain posters who come on threads like this purely to stir the pot and be critical of others decide to make snarky, rude remarks to me, I'm going to say something. Sorry if it bothers certain posters, but it wouldn't be an issue if certain people went by the motto "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all." Every thread like this there are three kinds of posters: ones who agree, ones who disagree politely, and ones who just want to belittle. Once the OP takes offense to a belittling post, then they get jumped on for it. No, we don't all have to agree, but I also don't need to hear that I'm whining (no I'm not, this started out as a calm vent), that I'm off my rocker, that I'm "one of those," etc.

Lilygator, you have been on both of my threads and both times you have had nothing constructive to say, other than to be condescending to me. Time to put you on ignore.

 

[mickeyboat]

This varies by state! In New York, for example, there is no distinction whether the injured person is a trespasser or invited guest. The property owner's liability would be the same whether the injured person is a burglar, the mail carrier, or a visiting mother in law. If you're liable to one, you're liable to the other.
I do not know the law in the OP's state. But I don't think the blanket statement is accurate.

Which is why I said generally.

 

[luvsJack]

I live in the real world. At 13, I wasn't playing hide or seek either. You might find a group of boys playing football or something but that is about it. At that age, not hide and seek. Yes, kids that age, all over the country, are trying smokes and other things. If you don't think so, you're kidding yourself, just ask any teacher or guidance counselor.



A fence may not be an option. There are many neighborhoods around here with restrictive building codes - some do not allow fences.

The OP doesn't want people that she doesn't know in her yard. Her yard, her call.

Yes, yes; I am well aware that there are kids that age smoking and trying other things. But that does not mean they all are. I refuse to decide a whole generation of kids is "bad" and can't have innocent fun because of a few that grow up to fast. Kids can still have innocent fun at that age and many do (all you have to do is check out our jr high youth group at church to see it at our church and at all the neighbor hood houses)

Please direct me to where I said on this thread that I was going to call the police?

I didn't say that you did. Another poster said "she has every right to call the police" and I agree that you do.

You have been given several options to fix this problem. Put up a fence, plant some thorny bushes, put up trespassing signs or call the police. My advice is to figure out whether you want to be friendly with your neighbors are thought of as the mean woman down the street that hates people. The first two option would probably not cause that opinion; the second two would.

 

[golfgal]

I'm so thankful where I live - kids still play hide and seek and manhunt all over neighborhoods, just like I did when I was a kid...

I agree. We have always lived in neighborhoods that were just that, a neighborhood. The kids all played together in everyone's yards. Each yard seemed to be the place to play a certain game--our yard was the kickball yard. It wasn't uncommon to see 20 or 30 kids out there playing kickball on any give summer day. If the kids happened to be in your yard at lunch, you made up a bunch of sandwiches and fed them.

OP, I would be happy if I were you that you have neighbor kids that actually play outside if for no other reason as neighborhoods like these tend to be safer, less crime.

 

[KAMLEM]

I live in the real world. At 13, I wasn't playing hide or seek either. You might find a group of boys playing football or something but that is about it. At that age, not hide and seek. Yes, kids that age, all over the country, are trying smokes and other things.

So because you didn't do it, nobody else does? Maybe it's the kids you are exposed to, but there are plenty of middle school kids in my neighborhood that play outside like this. Not every kid is out there smoking and doing drugs.

If I were you, I'd open the door and yell.

Then she just becomes known as the crazy old lady in the neighborhood.

 

[mjkacmom]

I live in the real world. At 13, I wasn't playing hide or seek either. You might find a group of boys playing football or something but that is about it. At that age, not hide and seek. Yes, kids that age, all over the country, are trying smokes and other things. If you don't think so, you're kidding yourself, just ask any teacher or guidance counselor.



A fence may not be an option. There are many neighborhoods around here with restrictive building codes - some do not allow fences.

The OP doesn't want people that she doesn't know in her yard. Her yard, her call.

Around here, teens play manhunt, a teen-version of tag/hide and seek. I think it's great! I'd much rather have teens play games than other things they can get into. I live in a very restrictive area of NJ (one of the most "over government" states), and even here you can get a fence. Sure, you usually need a varience, and fences bordering the street have to be a certain size, but you can get a fence here (our back yard butts up against a lane, so we needed a varience, and it could only be 4 feet tall).