This is said driveway. Everyone on our street has the same identical drive, as you can see it’s very open and looks like an extension of the street. Most have big families around here so lots of children, the majority of the street has a sort of unspoken etiquette that the driveways are a free for all to play on. I don’t want to be part of this as I don’t have children myself, and coming home from work is irritating when I can’t park on my own drive due to all the scooters, toys and bikes they leave on my drive. I’ve almost ran over countless kids in the summer, sunbathing and chalk drawing on my drive. Also the noise! Constant screaming crying and yelling directly outside my window, I work night shifts so often have to sleep in the day which has been impossible. I know I sound like a moaning old fart that’s why I’ve not said anything, am I being unreasonable? It’s nice to see kids actually out playing instead of being inside, not just don’t want it on my drive!
I’d like to add, I’m unable to put up fences etc due to renting.
Opinions?
by Heidijolo
48 comments
Just be polite, say you work nights/ sleep in the day and could they try and keep the noise down.
Most kids are polite enough to not want to be trouble if there are alternatives.
Don’t try and ban them or opt out, you may be within yours rights, but you want them on your side.
Fox urine or similar.
Just make your driveway unappealing
Your title and image with no further context had me wondering if you’d tarmaced over the kids!
I take it that wasn’t a very popular idea then.
Withdrawn and I will give myself a stern talking too.
[deleted]
Depends.
If they are using things that may damage the property (footballs etc) that you’ll be liable for then it’s quite reasonable to tell them to jog on.
Otherwise perhaps you need to chill out.
Sprinklers?
to be fair your driveway looks like a class spot to play ball games
even got a halfway line and everything
The noise is annoying but there’s not much you can do about it if you are working nights other than trying ear plugs or something similar, you shouldn’t have to put up with them blocking you from your own drive though, have a word with the parents about keeping it clear, it’s hardly an unreasonable request to make
There’s literally no one there …
You chose to move into a family area with children and you chose to do a job working nights. Please don’t try to make other people accountable for your choices, or expect them to have to accommodate your lifestyle.
Edited to add: I missed the bit where they were playing on OPs actual drive, that’s not acceptable and apologies for that.
The toys left on the driveway is where I would’ve drawn the line. I work long hours and if I own a space I want to be able to drive straight into it and go home after work.
I think I would speak to the parents about the toys politely and maybe mention the fact that you work night and would prefer if they didn’t play there at all.
Most people are reasonable as long as you are. If they’re not that’s when you just confiscate anything left on your property.
>I’ve almost ran over countless kids in the summer,
Unfortunately I think you’re going to have to try harder in the future.
I’m sorry but that “driveways are a free for fall to play on” rule sounds like an absolute nightmare, I’d be livid if I came home from work every day and found a bunch of kids toys strewn about my driveway.
Your drive is your property and you’re well within your right to tell the kids to play elsewhere, you don’t need any justification beyond “it’s my property”, it doesn’t make you miserable or a moaning old fart either, sadly some people are incapable of understanding that some people don’t want to be forced to deal with other people’s kids.
Paint a troll lives here all children will be eaten.
When you get home from work and all their shit is on your drive, throw it off. Throw it, don’t wheel it nicely, throw it. Make a point.
If they’re making too much noise, go out and tell them to be quiet and get off your driveway. Be calm, be firm.
I had this issue many years ago. I left dog shit on the drive and after a few days they found a new spot.
I await the angry replies with bated breath
Surely it’s bloody freezing now? If they’re still out there all day then honestly I have respect for them!
I personally would wait until the next time you have kids playing there when you’re sleeping and have a polite word with the parents of those particular children. But I’m assuming that will be months from now…
Throws some stinkbombs down and they won’t wana play there.
“Kids I don’t mind you playing just keep this bit clear of toys or they might get broken when I park my car.”
You’ll probably have to get to used to them playing on it when there’s no car, if you give them a bit of leeway they might be a bit cooperative. Also say the same to the parents so when you do run over a bike you can tell them they were warned.
You’re being a dick
Must be some tiny kids
Obviously check if you can first, but just put a fence and gate up around your drive.
Or just run over the kids toys when you get back. I’m sure after a few toys have been crushed they will get the message.
You being a cock..you were a kid once
You don’t park your car on your drive while you’re at home?
Park a white van on it with a mattress in the back… normally works
I’d be extremely nice to the kids and say hey kids, I’m sorry but you can’t play here any more, I’m worried about hitting you with the car, I can’t sleep with you making noise and I keep tripping on your toys. If the kids don’t listen I’d very nicely tell the parents the same thing. If this has no effect it’s no more Mr nice guy. I’m chucking any shit left on my property and telling the parents anything further and it’ll be reported to the council and or police. Do you really want to have to tell the buyer you have a problem with the neighbours when you sell. Still problem? Okay, CCTV and trespassing it is.
It’s not safe to have kids playing on your driveway, if they get hurt you’ll get the blame for allowing it. It’s not your problem where kids have to play, if the whole street is doing it then your driveway being off limits isn’t an issue. Just start as nice as possible and keep escalating if it doesn’t work. If your neighbours are nice, they’ll understand when told nicely, if they don’t listen when told nicely then they’re not nice and your obligation to be is at an end.
As a former kid, I’d say try to be polite and give them some options. I’m sure they’ll understand unless they’re little shits….
Then a scooter might have to go missing 🤣
Why don’t you make friends with these children? Halloween is coming up- get some treats. Once you all know each other- explain yourself ask them directly for some help. Agree on a signal that “Sshhhhhh – I’m sleeping” a a do not disturb sign on the door or something. Invite them to play on your driveway when you’re away- with the condition they put their things away and clear out when you need them too. Worth a try and if you’re nice to their kids, parents are more likely to support your requests.
Depends if you want to be liked by your neighbours or known as a miserable git
It’s possible to have a point and yet still be a dick.
Bear in mind that even if you can stop them using that specific bit of tarmac, which I presume has a car on it anyway when you’re home, it’s unlikely to make much difference to the sound of children playing. I think it is reasonable to make the point that they need to make sure they don’t leave toys there because you don’t want to drive over them.
Good luck!
I’d hate it, but not saying anything if they were using it to skip or something. But drawing on it and especially leaving stuff on it is far too far not to mention it. If I said something a couple of times, they didn’t stop leaving stuff there, and I thought my car could survive it (depends what it is) honestly I’d just park over their stuff.
Or I’d just chalk draw a bunch of stick men dogging and kneeling for meat on the drive.
If you work nights, would your car not be parked on your drive during the day? This would I assume prevent play on your drive? Are the kids in your neighbourhood all night owls?
That would piss me off too, especially since the parents that are at home are parked on their own driveway.
Personally I wouldn’t mind if I was out. I’d draw the line at leaving bikes and such there but kids using it to draw on with chalk and run around in would be fine by me.
Kids in an area can be handy to have onside. They notice all kinds of things.
Set up an electric fence with a sign saying “Touch me I dare you”…..kids love a dare 😂⚡☠️
Just in case this post triggers some of you….. It was intended as a joke, but you might need a sense of humour to see that!
Not completely a dick, my ‘drive’ is similar though it’s slightly more defined than that. I don’t mind kids playing there.
But unfortunately there’s a weird phenomena where anything that gets left at their arse disappears never to be seen again. I personally blame gnomes.
They’ve stopped building ramps to jump bikes and scooters off after the gnomes had their way enough times.
Oh and if you do say something, don’t expect the most mature reaction. My neighbour asked to use our lawn for her daughter’s paddling pool because the previous tenant let them and the landlord was a relative of theirs. I said no because I was going to do pot lavender, the landlord told her it’s my choice, so she sunbathed on it the next day instead… in… protest… I guess…
You’re being reasonable to ask them to stay off it. Particularly leaving toys and such on it
As someone else commented, maybe allow play on the drive, but ask them (and the parents, what with being responsible for them) not to leave their mess on your drive
Apart from asking the kids and parents to be more mindful of others, maybe you could try placing some potted plants around the driveway? If the kids break them when playing, bill the parents for replacements and maybe that might be an incentive for them to talk their kids out of playing around your property lol.
If toys are left on your driveway I’d definitely speak to the parents of the kids. That’s not ok
Turn it into a stones driveway, playing on stones is trash
Machine gun turrets. That is all.
You are not a moaning old fart, recently in the UK we are told to be far too tolerant of everything, to the point where night shift workers can’t get any sleep. I have kids and if they were playing on someone’s property that’s too far. The road you don’t have control over, but in terms of noise a parent should still have an idea. Next time they are out go up to them friendly and just say sorry guys I’m trying to sleep during the days can you move down the road a little bit. Even if they then tell their parents they can help an eye out.
I mean it’s mean but… those cat deterrent noise makers are silent to adults but drive kids round the bend
I think you’re being a bit of a dick. Sorry.
Personally id let others enjoy their freedom rather than say something. You are renting and do not own and therefore have no real power
Wait, you’re renting?
Why don’t you move?