More backyard drama...

[golfgal]

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.

l.

You have got to be kidding. Yes, SOME kids that age are troublemakers and are smoking but the VAST majority of them are NOT. Around here kids all through high school will join in the "night games' as they are called around here. They have some pretty elaborate hide and seek games, ghosts in the grave yard and other games that they play. Some of us live in nice areas where kids are kids. No one is kidding themselves, especially since it isn't hard to discover if a kid has been smoking--well if you have a nose it isn't. We also live in the real world where kids were brought up with morals and taught good behavior.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

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.

In my first post, I stated that I didn't want to make any enemies. I truly don't. Not my intent at all.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

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.

Thank you!

 

[disneyjunkie]

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.

I'm a teacher. I live and work in an inner city section of Brooklyn(I also grew up here). 12 and 13 year old kids still play tag, hide and seek, hot peas and butter....

Not all preteens/teens are out smoking and causing trouble.

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.

I have to agree with Lilygator.

 

[padams]

Manhunt and other elaborate hide and seek games are very popular here with the preteens and early teens (pre-driving).

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

This will be my last post, as I need to move on and get some work done today.

First off, I am calm. This happened on Sunday. I created this thread on Thursday. I do not have veins popping out of my forehead. I simply posted this thread to get advice about whether I should (A) Talk to the kids and parents about them not running through my backyard anymore or (B) Do nothing, and hope the situation does not get out of hand or becomes a liability. I was given some great advice from both people who agree and disagree with me, and I decided to let it go for now. If/when the situation gets out of hand, I will deal with it then.

Quite a few of you would be totally okay with having some stranger's kids playing in your backyard. That's fine. But do not assume that everyone feels that way, or should feel that way, just because you do. We all have different things that bother us. For example, the woman across the canal appears to hate birds. She chases the beautiful wildlife (Herons, Egrets, Ibises, etc) off of her property and will occasionally turn the hose on birds flying over the canal in front of her house. Do I agree with her? No. But if I marched there, knocked on her door, and said all kinds of rude things to her, do you think I'd change her views? Of course not! And it's not going to work with total strangers on a message board either, so why be anything but civil to each other?

I grew up in an area where everyone had a fenced in backyard, so people you didn't know were unable to access your yard if they were not invited. So this foreign concept of people being in our yard without our permission is nothing other than trespassing to us. We also didn't park our cars on the lawn either, which is ....but I digress. And FYI - Just because it's something you're used to seeing, does not mean it's right. I'm used to seeing people litter on the highways, but does that mean it's right? Bottom line, it's our backyard, and we don't want people there uninvited, We are COMPLETELY in our right to feel that way.

One more thing I wanted to address - I don't hate kids. I made it quite clear early on that our main concern was the liability factor. We don't want someone's child to trip and fall on our property, and then end up with a lawsuit. Sure, we are also upset simply because they came into our yard without permission, but it's not a kid thing. We'd be just as upset, if not more, if it were an adult. If I knew these children and they asked to be there, then we wouldn't have a problem. But somehow people have turned this into me being a horrible person who is "off her rocker" that hates children. That is a very unfair assumption to make of a total stranger on the internet, and I really don't appreciate it.

It's pointless to continue going back and forth on this. I want to enjoy the day and the weekend, and I hope you all do the same. Enough of the negativity.

 

[lillygator]

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.

Fine with me.

I didn't realize it was a DIS rule to add something contructive to every thread. So here's my advice....

1. it's obvious you don't want any neighbors - kids or adults anywhere near, in or around you and your property. Speak to the offenders and let them know it isn't ok with you that they hang on your dock, run through your yard or be on any part of your property. If it happens again, then go to the parents.

2. Put up a privacy fence, hedge, spikes in the ground around the perimeter - anything you can think of to keep people out.

3. Move.

I think that sums up your choices and #1 looks the best.

 

[ZachnElli]

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...

Ditto!!! I will never understand why some people move into neighborhoods when they should have moved out into the country with NO neighbors!!

 

[allison443]

Which is why I said generally.

Yes, but it would be generally in some jurisdictions, never in others.

I think you're right that it is probably the majority of jurisdictions that recognize distinctions between categories of injured persons. New York can be quirky that way

 

[jodifla]

For me, it's all in the kind of neighbor I want to be. And I want to be the friendly neighbor, who is welcoming, the kind you want to live next door to.

NOT 'that neighbor' who takes offense at everything....and just isn't very neighborly.

Our immediate neighbors have a bad rep in the neighborhood....and apparently have for a long time. They've lived on the street almost 40 years. They are the first to call and complain if kids are doing anything, or maybe MIGHT do something. I had a soccer net set up, and she came out to ask me to move it because it MIGHT mean a ball would go onto HER yard. It's a PAIN living next to them.

One a newer neighbor down the street did some remodeling, he found, under some paneling, a note about these neighbors, written about 30 years ago..... it said ":%^$@# the Smiths."

 

[Heidict]

One a newer neighbor down the street did some remodeling, he found, under some paneling, a note about these neighbors, written about 30 years ago..... it said ":%^$@# the Smiths."

That is hysterical!!

 

[glitterkittyy]

It's pointless to continue going back and forth on this. I want to enjoy the day and the weekend, and I hope you all do the same. Enough of the negativity.

Have a nice weekend.

I look forward to the next thread about this.

 

[NikitaZee]

Quite a few of you would be totally okay with having some stranger's kids playing in your backyard. That's fine. But do not assume that everyone feels that way, or should feel that way, just because you do.

 

[jodifla]

That is hysterical!!

Yes, the rest of the street thinks so too!

I guess she's been harassing kids for decades now.

 

[Robinrs]

This will be my last post, as I need to move on and get some work done today.

First off, I am calm. This happened on Sunday. I created this thread on Thursday. I do not have veins popping out of my forehead. I simply posted this thread to get advice about whether I should (A) Talk to the kids and parents about them not running through my backyard anymore or (B) Do nothing, and hope the situation does not get out of hand or becomes a liability. I was given some great advice from both people who agree and disagree with me, and I decided to let it go for now. If/when the situation gets out of hand, I will deal with it then.

Quite a few of you would be totally okay with having some stranger's kids playing in your backyard. That's fine. But do not assume that everyone feels that way, or should feel that way, just because you do. We all have different things that bother us. For example, the woman across the canal appears to hate birds. She chases the beautiful wildlife (Herons, Egrets, Ibises, etc) off of her property and will occasionally turn the hose on birds flying over the canal in front of her house. Do I agree with her? No. But if I marched there, knocked on her door, and said all kinds of rude things to her, do you think I'd change her views? Of course not! And it's not going to work with total strangers on a message board either, so why be anything but civil to each other?

I grew up in an area where everyone had a fenced in backyard, so people you didn't know were unable to access your yard if they were not invited. So this foreign concept of people being in our yard without our permission is nothing other than trespassing to us. We also didn't park our cars on the lawn either, which is ....but I digress. And FYI - Just because it's something you're used to seeing, does not mean it's right. I'm used to seeing people litter on the highways, but does that mean it's right? Bottom line, it's our backyard, and we don't want people there uninvited, We are COMPLETELY in our right to feel that way.

One more thing I wanted to address - I don't hate kids. I made it quite clear early on that our main concern was the liability factor. We don't want someone's child to trip and fall on our property, and then end up with a lawsuit. Sure, we are also upset simply because they came into our yard without permission, but it's not a kid thing. We'd be just as upset, if not more, if it were an adult. If I knew these children and they asked to be there, then we wouldn't have a problem. But somehow people have turned this into me being a horrible person who is "off her rocker" that hates children. That is a very unfair assumption to make of a total stranger on the internet, and I really don't appreciate it.

It's pointless to continue going back and forth on this. I want to enjoy the day and the weekend, and I hope you all do the same. Enough of the negativity.

I would say you've learned from this nonsense but you knew from your first post that you would cause a ruckus because the other thread (which you posted A LINK TO ... what the...??? ) went south FAST.

When you know you'll break a window when you throw a ball at it the first time and you throw it again... bad on you!

Learn, this place is not a playground of like minds and buddies. This is a playground to the WORLD, full of people who understand, who care, and those who do NOT and will never care about you. And all of them have an opinion, one they probably NEVER say to your face, but can say whatever they want to because... hello... they are ANONYMOUS.

Learn. I know I had to!

 

[golfgal]

There is a difference between having a differing opinion and being negative. If you don't want people that don't share your opinion on a subject to comment, don't post on message boards.

 

[sbell111]

Fences: They aren't just to keep your dog in.

 

[Heidict]

double post

 

[Heidict]

I would say you've learned from this nonsense but you knew from your first post that you would cause a ruckus because the other thread (which you posted A LINK TO ... what the...??? ) went south FAST.

When you know you'll break a window when you throw a ball at it the first time and you throw it again... bad on you!

Learn, this place is not a playground of like minds and buddies. This is a playground to the WORLD, full of people who understand, who care, and those who do NOT and will never care about you. And all of them have an opinion, one they probably NEVER say to your face, but can say whatever they want to because... hello... they are ANONYMOUS.

Learn. I know I had to!

I know I can say that I never say the other thread when it was originally done, but since she posted a link, I went over and read it.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Fences: They aren't just to keep your dog in.

Funny thing about fences. In our neighborhood, our home is the only home with fences anywhere except around the pools. They were there when we bought the home. They were put up by the previous owner, who was one of "those" neighbors - didn't want anyone in her yard - EVER! The fences kept the neighbors away - but they also kept this family from making friends. In the 7+ years that they lived here, they didn't get to know any of their neighbors. So fences are not always a good thing.

Anyway, we have been her 3 years and they need some work, so we are just going to take them down.