Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

I'm all for neighborly friendliness but there are 4 kids that moved into the house next door and they keep coming onto our property!!!

DH was out there last week burning some twigs and sticks from a tree we cut down and they jumped over the wall (we are higher, their house is below us with a retaining wall) and started to help him by picking them up and carrying over to him which actually was more of a bother b/c they kept interuppting him

The oldest looked like 11 or 12, the youngest was 3 or 4!!!!!


Then I hear noise out back 2 nights ago and they are on our property again, trying to climb our dead weeping willow b/c their pet bird got out.

They don't wear shoes when they are outside ( I feel like we live in the Appalachians! ) I guess they like the grass we have versus the dirt they have

I told DH I want a fence put up asap but knowing how he does things and with permits, it could be awhile!


Can they sue us if a kid gets hurt on our side WITHOUT our permission to be there

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

Yes, you can be sued if they get hurt on your property even if they are there without permission. Did you or your DH go over and speak to their parents? I would do that asap. Be friendly, but let them know that you are uncomfortable having the kids on your property.

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

Personally, I think its sweet that they wanted to help and I cant see how you can blame them if they were trying to get their bird that got out. I dont get the problem with the no shoes thing either....I NEVER wear shoes in the summer outside.

Message edited 7/21/2009 10:08:30 PM.

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

Was it only these two instances?

I don't really see the issue with bare feet?

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

Eww i get grossed out when i see kids with no shoes on too....what if there is dog poop in your yard? Or mud? It's just germy and then you go back in your house and track all that inside? YUCK There is a big family on our block and the kids are always outside with no shoes and it makes me cringe - they are playing out front which I think is worse - my dog pees in the street that their kids are playing in barefoot!

But that is totally besides the point

If you see them again then I would talk to the parents nicely and just say you don't want them coming over into your yard b/c you don't want them to get hurt or be back there unsupervised - but maybe I woud leave that part out b/c you still don't want them back there even if the parents are watching them right? I know I wouldn't want anyone in my yard...

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

did you meet the parents yet? I would go over and introduce yourself (be all nicey nicey) and say oh i noticed the kids going in our yard, say you noticed the kids climbing in you yard and that you are worried about if they might get hurt. If they seem pissy then I guess all you can do is wait for the fence.

When I was a kid I understood boundaries, the only place we played that was not on our properties was in a parking lot at the funeral home and parks. Unless you live on over a acre of land - then i can see why they would be in your yard because we did that upstate on apple orchids.

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

I would knock on the door and talk to the parents. I would share my concerns about them being on the property and not wanting them to get hurt, tell them you are doing projects or simply put please tell your children not to come onto our property.

my mom just bought a house out east, the properties are quite large so the neighbor has a soccer field and the goal net is by my mothers fence well everytime they miss the goal it goes into her yard, she throws the balls back but my mom was doing yard work and found them in her yard. she simply told them this is my property you shouldnt be here and Im going to talk to your parents. they are the same age you are describing well they havent jumped the fence since. she didnt want them to get hurt especially since she is cleaning it up and there are a ton of twigs, rocks everywhere.

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

i wouldn't want a kid in my yard with NO SHOES! if they step on something and slice their foot open, i am not going to be responsible.

that would totally annoy me and i would speak up right away before it gets worse.

YOU bought this property, it is not theirs.

this is the problem with parents / kids today... no control. they should NOT be in/on anyone elses property without permission. i would have gotten beaten if i ever did that!

sorry that's my vent session.

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

i would simply talk to the parents. maybe the previous owners allowed them to come over anytime so the kids don't know you don't like it.

i don't understand the big deal about bare feet--i walk around barefoot all day at home--that's what summer is for! and since DS is just walking, he doesn't wear shoes either since he can't walk in them yet.

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

I would go over and introduce myself, politely ask if they found their bird and mention they climbed your tree. That you thought about it and decided to come over because you were concerned for their safety when they are not under his/her watchful eye. And ask if they could discuss with their children that if they need something in your backyard, to knock on your door and you will work something out.

That way you're not Clint Eastwood with a shotgun saying "Get off my lawn!" but you're giving them the idea that unannounced treks into your yard are not welcome either.

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

They moved in about 2 months ago - we've been here a year.

DH introduced himself when they first moved in- they are a mixed family so to speak, don't really know who the kids belong to- always cousins and friends coming and going.

As for the bare feet- I don't care if they do it on their side- but we have gopher holes and twigs and our lawnmower/equipment outside

I mentioned it the last time it happened to one of the women- not sure who she was that " I'm worried with the kids on our side, especially when we're burning stuff. It's the teacher in me"
She just looked at me and went back to pusing a boy on the swing.
There were 4 adults outside when these kids started to come over and never once said " No" or "Ask permission first" They just flat out ignorned them!

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property

Re: Neighbors kids keep coming onto our property