Mom's Plan to Build Fence to Ban Neighborhood Kids From Backyard Applauded

A mother has been cheered online after divulging that she's keen to build a fence in her backyard to keep her neighbors' kids at bay.

The woman took to Reddit, where she shared a post under u/scarletpumpkintickle that detailed why she's racing to get started on the new barrier. She explained how her son's garden play set had become something of a daily hangout spot for the neighborhood kids, which she didn't like.

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"We built a playset for our son in our backyard and apparently all the kids in the neighborhood liked it so much they've made it their daily hangout spot," she wrote. "We come home and there are bicycles blocking our driveway and about a dozen kids playing on it."

While the woman never minded occasional visits, the constant presence of children in her backyard until sundown, with the resulting noise, prevented her from enjoying her backyard in privacy and peace. She wrote that she considered building a fence a while ago, but that her husband worried it would seem "unneighborly," especially since some parents had expressed their appreciation for the play set in the past.

What Do the Comments Say?

The post struck a chord with many users, some of whom shared their own experiences with the woman and offered her empathy and advice. Since it was shared online on May 16, the post has been upvoted more than 20,000 times.

One user suggested the woman copy a system that they themselves found particularly useful when they were confronted with the same issue.

"Growing up I had a neighbor who had a pool and whenever they hung a flag outside of the pool it told the neighborhood families they could come and swim. But without the flag it was off limits even if they were playing on it. Just a thought."

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Another user was more forthright: "If you don't want them over at all, well you got to tell the parents that."

Others were supportive of erecting a fence, despite its implications.

One user commented: "I'd never invite them either if I ever heard that comment I'd just tell 'em were no longer associated with you and we're building a fence so our kids can safely jump on their trampoline."

Another shared a personal insight: "As a kid, that's one of the main reasons my siblings and I didn't have anything like that until we were the last house on the street to put a basketball hoop up. As a parent, I get it now."

Newsweek consulted Ryan Byers, an attorney with 15 years of experience, for his take on how people can defuse neighborhood disputes.

Byers explained that homeowners are not legally obliged to let neighbors use their property.

"There is no general right to use a portion of a neighbor's property, just because it is convenient," he told Newsweek.

While neighbors often request and negotiate partial use of property, homeowners can refuse.

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"If the owner of a driveway does not want to permit her neighbors to use it, I would advise that she first just notify them of that fact verbally," Byers added.

If this is not respected, signage or a formal letter may be necessary.

Byers advised finding a balance between enforcing property rights and maintaining good neighborly relations. This nuanced approach is echoed by those engaging with the post online, which largely supports the mom's bold decision to restrict access to her backyard while also navigating the social dynamics of neighborhood living.

Do you have a dispute with your neighbor? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.