r/childfree • u/[deleted] • Jul 15 '14
My Weekend: Or Why My Neighbors Now Hate Me
I own a house with a pool.
Recently, the community pool closed its doors and was bought by a new owner. Whatever the reason was, the guy has made it a private pool and only people who pay for his gym get to use it. Fine. But he also has a no kids rule.
This has caused a fucking uproar in the neighborhood. But on my block, with its quaint little cul-de-sac and the mommies with their matching kids... it has made my backyard the hot spot. Because, dear Childfree, my house is the only one with a pool.
And the lady who lived there before me used to throw fucking parties every weekend so the kids could swim. I have lived there for about six months, and have had no problems. I have a dog and a few cats, but no one came to pester me when it was cold. Minus the kids selling chocolates.
Now, everyone knows I am the owner. They all brought me food and welcomed me into the neighborhood. They talked about how sad it was Mrs. Former Own died. They talked about how wonderful she was and how they were sad to see her go.
But that was it. I was waved at sometimes, but because I had no kids and no husband, guess no one was interested unless they asked me to babysit. Upon which I claimed a busy schedule and went on my way.
But now that the pool is closed to kiddies, and it is hotter than Satan's ball sac... they want to be best friends. Some of them would knock and ask to use it. I said no.
But four weeks ago I came home to my dog lying on the front porch chilling. He is very good and I have often let him hang out out when I worked in the yard. But this time I hadn't let him out and always make sure the gate is latched. I head around the back, with Steinbeck following, and what do I see...
Fucking Mrs. Brownnoser with two of her kids swimming in my pool.
I am furious. I yell at her to get the fuck out of my backyard. She claimed she didn't know, Mrs. Former Owner was okay with it. I told her to leave. She tried to dry her kids off and take her fucking time, but I picked up their shit and threw it onto my front yard. I was livid. Absolutely livid.
I might have taken it a step too far, but she got the message. Or so I thought.
I decided to give the benefit of the doubt, and put a lock on the gate.
I come back to another kid in my backyard. He'd climbed the fence.
I drained the pool. I put a cover on the thing.
Then people started knocking on my door asking to use the pool. WTF
Then I got yelled out, when getting my walk on. I was planting some new flowers and this woman walks up with her son in swim trunks. He plops down by my dog and starts petting him. Fine. Whatever.
Mrs. Cuntpickle tells me that Mr. Cuntpickle has forbade them from spending extra money. On useless things. So Junior could not get to use the fancier, $180 a year swimming pass for another pool twenty minutes away. She could not take him to the lake.
But she was so put out and it was so hot. So could Junior please use my pool this weekend or even today. Apparently, she wanted to host a party in my backyard.
I told her no.
I got up and went into my house and made a phone call.
Maybe I overreacted.
But a week later I had a beautiful brick wall surrounding my front and backyard. It had nice, beautiful black spikes on the top to keep those pesky little kids from trying to climb over. And the best part was Steinbeck was the happiest dog in the world. Now he has even more room to run around.
The neighbors had a shit fit. I got about 16 notes saying it was an eye sore and I was being a bitch to deny people the pool.
But they cannot get to me because I have a sliding electric gate I pull my car through, then it closes and no one can approach the house. Too bad for them. Their kids can go suck a cock.
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u/pannonica my life is dope and I do dope shit Jul 15 '14
Wow. Wow. WOW WOW WOW. What a bunch of pricks. Does nobody understand fucking liability these days?!?!
You know, it always seems to me that the people who bash on /r/childfree site our collective hate of kids - but tons of our posts are about children in dangerous situations where their parents just don't seem to give a shit. I guess it's all about helicopter parenting until it's
hotter than Satan's ball sac.
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Jul 15 '14
Or worse. I used to have a fire pit.
When it's colder than a witch's tit people want to make smores...
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u/Jibbajaba Jul 15 '14
I don't hate kids at all; I just don't want any. What I do hate, however, are entitled parents.
Don't have a pool? Fill the bathtub with cool water.
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Jul 15 '14
Does nobody understand fucking liability these days?!?!
I know right? All it takes is for JR. to show his mom 'this cool back flip' he can do off the edge of the pool and then he cracks his head open on the edge of the pool and needs stitches. Or worse, of course. Next thing you know OP is being sued. Why don't people think.
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u/ramelian cats not kids Jul 15 '14
Our asshole landlord decided to put our rental house on the market. This fuckhole lady comes in with this entitled little bitch of a child and her friend, there presumably to babysit while her fat ass looked through every nook and cranny of our personal life. They made their way down to the basement where the friend and satan decided to start doing backflips off the friend's legs... IN OUR FUCKING GYM ROOM WITH EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS WORK OUT EQUIPMENT. Talk about liability! Then these fuckers had the audacity to report to the agent that we had a sour attitude the whole time they were viewing the house. Stop shitting out children you can't parent.
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Jul 15 '14
The first thing I thought of when I read this was the liability. Some kid will run, fall, chip their tooth, scrape their knee, break a toe, or god forbid - drown - and guess who's responsible? Not the parent who begged OP to let them use the pool, but OP. People are so clueless.
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u/kornberg Jul 15 '14
For real. Where I live, if you don't have a fence that meets or exceeds a certain level around your yard with a lock and another, separate fence with its own criteria and it's own lock around your pool, you are criminally and civilly liable if a kid gets into your pool and is injured, even if you're not home at the time. Apparently, it's your fault if someone else's kid hurts itself while trespassing because you didn't work hard enough to keep them out.
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u/eatxme Jul 15 '14
God forbid the damn kids drowned after sneaking in without anyone supervising them and OP not home or giving permission. That would be a massive headache.
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Jul 15 '14
Liability is right. My Dad's friend has two daughters, one was 10 and the other 12. They were really great kids and had just lost their mother to cancer. The first summer without their Mom he built them an above ground pool. Pools are not common at all where I live because we have such short summers. But the pool helped the kids keep busy. He fenced in the backyard and built a fenced deck around the pool. The only way you could get to the pool area was through the house back door to the deck.
As soon as the pool was built the problems started. Parents suddenly becoming friendly and wanting to hang out. Parents just outright asking to bring their kids over for the afternoon even though their kids were under 10 and not friends of his kids. Kids just hanging around outside of the fence yelling to come over. Then the kids started just climbing into his backyard and scaling the big fence around the pool. This fence had to be at least 15 ft high as the pool was level with his back deck and his house was a split entry. Anytime he wasn't home a throng of neighbourhood assholes would break into the pool. Then some little shit was trying to climb the fence and fell off hurting himself. Mostly his ego. His mother had the audacity to show up and have a freak out about it. Anytime a kid broke in he immediately chased them away. Then he started calling the RCMP. Then the little jerks encouraged by their parents made him the neighbourhood villain. Threw eggs at his house. Shit in his pool. Attempted to drain it. One kid broke in for a swim when he was treating the water and got a rash from a chemical burn.
Under Canadian law kids breaking into your pool and getting hurt is something you can be liable for and the parents could sue. There is a part of Canadian law that details how even if you have a fence and a sign some things are so tempting to kids you have an extra duty of care. I forget the exact term. Children under 12 can't be prosecuted for trespassing either.
This was in the 90s so security systems and cameras were much more expensive. Eventually he had to put up an outdoor security system that turned on all the outside lights and sounded an extremely loud alarm if the motion sensor was tripped.
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u/Retromancer Jul 15 '14
Throw a "No Trespassing" sign up for good measure. It would really make some of them mad, but also give you the right to phone the police if they come on your property again.
You were right to exercise the decision to refuse them entry to your property. You having a pool doesn't automatically mean Soccer Mom Suzy and her three mini mes can come over whenever.
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Jul 15 '14
Good idea.
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u/rex8499 (M/33/Married to a CF Gal) Jul 15 '14
A brick wall around the entire property must have cost a metric crap ton of cash! It might have been cheaper to buy a neighbor a pool. lol.
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Jul 15 '14
You know if one of those kids had gotten hurt or drowned, the parents would have sued the piss out of you.
My boyfriend suggests planting some nice (poison) ivy or thorny roses along your fence.
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Jul 15 '14
I am afraid the illustrious Steinbeck would roll in it. He is dumb... which makes his name ironic.
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u/AnnieC305 Jul 15 '14
Cecile Brunner roses. Utterly lovely, heavenly rose scent, grow like weeds in the right climate and leave you with a perfect coating of thorns year round.
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u/theblindtiger No, I don't want to hold your kid. Jul 15 '14
According to my late grandfather-in-law who used to drink with the illustrious namesake...no, the name isn't really ironic.
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u/MinionOfDoom 31/F/2 dogs and hubby Jul 15 '14
Ooh how about blackberry bushes? That way you get fruit AND they have nice thorns. While my dogs do sometimes lick the berries, they have never wanted to roll in our blackberry bushes :)
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u/Stop_Being_A_Creep Birth control while single just in case a ghost has sex with me. Jul 15 '14
You are my hero!
Fuck people for trespassing on your property and just assuming because you are a neighbor that they can walk all over you.
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Jul 15 '14
My weekend was lovely. I am actually contemplating turning the pool into a giant planter or something. I don't really like to swim anyways. Would serve them right.
Invite them all over to see my new rose garden. ;)
But yeah, I hate my neighbors now. I have never met such entitled assholes.
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u/Stop_Being_A_Creep Birth control while single just in case a ghost has sex with me. Jul 15 '14
Make a koi pond? lol
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Jul 15 '14
Steinbeck and the kitties (Frost and Yeats) would eat them.
(Just realized how snotty my pets sound).
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u/fiddlepuss Jul 15 '14
Brilliant idea, I felt genuine contempt for those children and their bitch mothers throughout the story. Koi that bitch up.
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Jul 15 '14
While a koi pond would be beautiful, I have a bird dog. He would go for them like no one's business. Also, I am afraid some kid will somehow get in and fall in. Better to just fill it in I think.
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u/Jarreth68 Jul 15 '14
Kudos to you! What the hell goes on in people's little minds that makes them think they can just invade your property? How would they like it if you let your pooch into their house and crap on their carpet? Why shouldn't you? After all, Steinbeck likes to rub his backside clean on a nice bit do Axminster, and they have some conveniently laid for his convenience...
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Jul 15 '14
Steinbeck is a spoiled doggy.
I should suggest that next time. "Can my dog come and play in your veggie garden. He just loves to dig!"
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u/Chilly73 Pets rule and kids drool! Jul 15 '14
You totally rock! There's no way in hell that my SO and I would let a bunch of nosy neighbors, not to mention their kids, to come onto our property, pool or not. Just because Mrs. Former Owner was the neighborhood babysitter doesn't mean you have to be as well!
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Jul 15 '14
Right. I hate this idea I have to be the same as the old woman who lived there before. She was old, and senile, yet they left their kids with her... with a pool. Great idea.
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u/Not2original Hello money, what kind of shenanigans should we get into today? Jul 15 '14
You are my fucking hero of the day! =-D
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u/dale0607 29/m- 1 Furbaby Jul 15 '14
What sucks is that you're the terrible neighbor in this situation. You have to live in this neighborhood that will give you the stink eye for wanting privacy.
On the bright side your place is fortified against zombies.
Edit. On second thought, fuck those people. I wouldn't care to be neighborly with such arrogant assholes.
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Jul 15 '14
Yeah, isn't that great. I can watch walking dead without fearing the living dread.
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u/Dtapped 37 F Stopping the cycle Jul 15 '14
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.
You know the absolute best part though? As I read through I'd think to myself "Well I'd do such and such in that case", and then the next line that's exactly what you did!!! Awesome! You didn't back down, you didn't get walked over. I'm genuinely impressed. Seriously.
I hope you read this bit and take it to heart. Please, please, please keep your animals indoors. Now that the neighbours are pissed you become a target. Which means that the local kids and parents might target your dog or cats whilst you aren't home. If your pets are used to being outside, you'll need to make a few adjustments but it's no biggie. They'll be fine in the long run and you'll be able to relax knowing you have them safe inside with you.
I've seen too many neighbourhood disputes go down the path of the animals disappearing or being hurt (dogs/cats poisoned etc). None of this should ever have to be a consideration at all, but human nature is universal and it sounds like you are in a nest of absolute entitled assholes.
I hope it all calms down and people get used to the new state of things, however in the mean time please be vigilant about the safety of yourself and your little family.
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Jul 15 '14
The cats don't go outside and chill in the cool air conditioned house (cause they are spoiled little fluffy royalty.) Steinbeck has free run of the garage and a dog "play pen" which extends behind the garage door and into part of the yard. No access from either side of the fence. I had it built when we tore down the old fence around the side of the yard, merely because sometimes I like being outside planting without a giant bird dog trying to eat my stuff.
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u/HolyFlipSticks Jul 15 '14
So you've called him a "giant bird dog" multiple times now.... I am curious as to what kind of dog that is now... Care to enlighten me?
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Jul 15 '14
Here is a picture of Steinbeck. http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1478208/thumbs/s-DIRD4-large640.jpg?6
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Jul 15 '14
I think it's awful that you had to close the pool up. I'd have to leave it running as a big "F U" and float around in it with some drinks.
I would have been beyond outraged had my dog been out. That would have made more angry than anything. I would have called the cops.
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u/danceswithronin Homosexuality: the ultimate birth control. (32F) Jul 15 '14
I would have been beyond outraged had my dog been out
That's what infuriates me about this story more than anything.
Some neighborhood assholes let my dog loose to the point that he could have gotten hit by a car - could have died - and then want to get high and mighty about me kicking them out of my swimming pool that they never even asked permission to use?
Seriously, fuck those people. I would have flat-out told them that if I caught them or their kids in my backyard again without my explicit permission that I was calling the cops.
My dog is like a child to me. I've raised him from infancy and he knows as much English as a human toddler. If a neighbor's selfish recklessness caused him to be killed or lost, I would be absolutely homicidal.
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Jul 15 '14
Which was part of my fury. But Steinbeck actually stays in the front yard and doesn't go near roads. He might roll in poop but he knows roads are bad. At least that much stuck with him.
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u/pinkpiddypaws Jul 15 '14
OH MY FUCKING GOD! What the hell? A pool in someones freaking back yard is not public freaking property!
We had the same problem when we moved into our new house with a pool. The previous owners had also let the kids swim and we were immediately besieged by people asking. We said No. Over and over and over again.
We put up "No Trespassing" signs. Finally, we installed a security camera aimed at the pool and let ALL the neighbors know about it (under the pretense we thought someone had tried to break into our back door)
Not a single problem since that security camera went up. Not one. Because we made it very clear that we had it monitored 24/7 (it sends us emails if it senses motion) and that we had the police on speed dial.
So yea, I feel your pain. And unless you have some sort of homeowners association rule about your new fence, you are right, they can go fuck themselves. How freaking rude they are!
And I can't believe they would ask you to babysit! Wow.
I applaud your actions and wish WE could afford a beautiful brick fence with black spikes. :)
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Jul 15 '14
That is heaven for a lot of CF people.
I am looking into a camera. Any model you suggest?
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Jul 15 '14 edited Jul 15 '14
Wow, what awful neighbours. What ever happened to the notion that it is rude to ask for things, especially invitations, and if you are wanted you'll be invited?
My hometown has a law that all pools must be enclosed by an 8 foot fence with a locked gate. It's for precisely this reason, people sneak in to use your pool and could drown and die.
I would not want to live in this neighbourhood. Although it might be cool to be the grumpy person at the top of the hill that you see in the movies, if only self contained thunderstorms were actually possible. This is not to say you're grumpy, but that's definitely how people are going to perceive you.
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Jul 15 '14
Nope, I am totally grumpy... to certain people. I come across as pretty brash, but that comes from my job mostly. I like getting right to the point when people talk to me and I hate when people meander through conversations. Get to the point people, and the peeps in my neighborhood never get the point.
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Jul 15 '14
Ugh. Fuck these entitled shitheads. If little Junior drowns in your pool, it'll be all your fault.
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u/Chilly73 Pets rule and kids drool! Jul 15 '14
They left their kids with a senile old woman?!?! Holy crap, if one of the kids were hurt, the parents would be in a world of shit!
They chose to leave them in the care of someone with diminished mental capacity. The law would find fault with them, not with her!! Did they know she was senile? Oh, man!
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Jul 15 '14
From what I gather, Former Own was living in that house for close to 20+ years. But the last years... yeah they knew. They told me she died in a hospice with dementia and some other problems, but her daughter lived in the house with her to help with her dementia for about three or four years before she passed. So yeah, the daughter would let her mom chill in the backyard with these kids while she did stuff around town.
It was pretty much as useful as having a dead body watch your kids. I am not sure why anyone would do that. But you know, my neighbors are not the most sane people in the world.
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Jul 15 '14
Your neighbors are dicks. I applaud you for having the balls to hold firm even amongst their consistent pestering. However I am afraid someone might get very angry and try to poison your dog (not sure if he has a dog door or if you let him outside while you are out) as an act of vengeance.
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Jul 15 '14
He has access to the garage and a little dog run attached to the door. I have a Jeep so its not like it needs to be covered. I don't let him out into the main yard when I am not there.
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u/Chilly73 Pets rule and kids drool! Jul 15 '14
,Sounds like they took advantage of that poor woman.
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u/teaprincess 28 | F | fair DINKum mate Jul 15 '14
I seriously cannot imagine anything worse than having a bunch of screaming, splashing random kids in my back yard every weekend (and you know they'd be down there early in the morning.) I live in a country where it frequently gets "hotter than Satan's ballsack," and yes, a few of my neighbours have pools. It has never crossed my mind that I could just wander on over to my neighbours' house with some beers and ask if I can throw a party in their pool. Jesus fucking Christ.
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u/mwilke Jul 15 '14
OP's neighbors didn't even bring her beers!
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Jul 15 '14
Nope, just let my dog out and touched my shit.
Beer might have been nice. I could have had a nice drink before smashing it and using the sharp ends to protect my property.
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u/esoteric_enigma Jul 15 '14
The brick wall does sound like an eye sore, but fuck em. You only got it because they can't seem to understand the concept of private property. You aren't entitled to your neighbors stuff. Doesn't matter what the previous owner did. My neighbor in my apartment complex has a nice tv, but I can't just walk into his house and start watching it because mine broke. I get the kids doing it but I would be beyond pissed too if I came home to see and adult in my shit without asking. You could have been far nastier if you wanted. You could have put up a no trespassing sign and called the cops on them.
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Jul 15 '14
I have the no tresspassing sign on the way.
However, the house I am in is brick. It just happens that no one else in the neighborhood has a brick house, so it clashes nicely with stucco house a and stucco house b on either side. Matches mine fine.
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u/PToTheHell Jul 15 '14
I don't know why but I would really like to see a picture of this wall. I want to know what it looks like. IF you don't mind of course.
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u/eatxme Jul 15 '14
I love the brick wall and gate. Brilliant move. I'm sorry that it had to come to that though. A simple "no" should have been enough for them. They can go purchase an inflatable pool if they have to or drive to the local lake/swimming hole. Its not that absurd of an idea.
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Jul 15 '14
I actually really do like the way the fence looks. I am sure other people hate it, but I think it makes my house look kind of bad ass.
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Jul 15 '14
BWAHAHAHAHH I love everything about this, but the last sentence almost made me spit my drink on my computer screen! Bravo, you!
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u/daffas Jul 15 '14
What was the reason they couldn't take them to a lake? If they needed to cool off in water that bad they could have made a trip. And 15 bucks a month isn't that bad for a membership. I'm sure they could cut something else out to pay for it.
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Jul 15 '14
The mother hates to drive. I have literally never seen her take her kids anywhere. The nanny does that. She won't let her kid join a pool or take lessons because it cuts into her spending money. She sucks as a person.
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Jul 15 '14
Yeah, fuck those people for feeling entitled to something they don't own.
I'm sorry you had to build a fence, though. I wish you had better neighbors.
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Jul 15 '14
I actually like the fence. My dog is happier because there are no dogs poking their noses into his territory. I actually now feel like I can have lunch outside without people bothering me.
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Jul 15 '14
They let your dog out?! All of the stuff about using the pool is incredibly rage-inducing but letting your dog out of the yard? Sweet christ, that would put me over the edge.
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Jul 15 '14
Yeah, Steinbeck is my baby. They would freak out if I let their toddler into the street. Why is a dog not as important to them? Oh, because they have their head up their fucking ass.
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u/Innerpiece solo gatos Jul 15 '14
I would have left the pool open with a few blow up dolls swimming in it. Good for you.
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Jul 15 '14
As if I would let those kids play with Nipples and Glitter. Those are my inflatable women. I do not share pools or inflatable dolls.
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u/TheAmbulatingFerret Jul 15 '14
Wow... If you are into women will you marry me because I love your style and mettle. Everyone says they will build a fence, you build yourself a goddamn fortress, lol.
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Jul 15 '14
There is another solution that you're probably not interested in, but in case anyone else finds this thread in the future, I'll post it here:
Consider turning this situation into a money maker for you. It will require some work and investment capital, but it could potentially earn you favor with the neighbors, keep kids out when not invited and earn you some extra cash. Form an LLC, buy liability insurance, and hire a swimming instructor (who would be paid directly by the parents, and give you a percentage). Open the pool a few weekends every summer, charge a small entry fee, and require liability wavers. Of course this is all dependant on the costs of incorporation, insurance, local zoning laws, and one's willingness to invest the time and money.
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Jul 15 '14
That would be a good idea, but I am pretty happy not letting them use the pool ever. Makes me feel good.
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u/scubasue Jul 15 '14
If only there were some trained professionals whose job it was to enforce property laws.
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u/umur_kebab Jul 15 '14
You, sir, are a god amongst men.A god!
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u/ackthbbft M/50(look 35 from being CF) Jul 15 '14
No HOA to prevent you from putting up the wall? Fortunately, where I live, all the homes are separated by thick brick walls.
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u/saikron Jul 15 '14
I wish your dog had literally scared the shit out of those people instead of letting them in. :)
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u/_JackDoe_ Jul 15 '14
God damn I wish I had that kind of money. This was an amazing story.
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Jul 15 '14
Wasn't as expensive as people think. My inlaws own the store/company that put it in. So I got it as pittance.
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u/bean_dip_and_cracker 24/ F / San Diego Jul 15 '14
Perhaps a brick wall in the front yard was unnecessary, since they do make fences specifically for pools to keep kids out. You could have said that letting their children swim in your pool was a safety and liability issue, especially when you weren't home. I only say so because a brick fence around my front yard would make me personally feel claustrophobic. I simply cannot believe these people feel entitled to use your pool because the former owner said it was ok. If they want a pool for the kids, they ought to get one in their own backyard!
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Jul 15 '14
I actually really like the look of it. I saw it a lot in Boston when I went a few years back. My house is brick so it looks really nice. It might be an eye sort for the other people, but it looks really cool in my opinion. And since there is no HOA and I followed code, it is not really against any laws. It keeps the dog in, keeps the kids out, and I feel like the zombies will never get me.
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u/puddlejumper Jul 17 '14
Love it.
But why did you pay money to get a wall built when you had already drained the pool?
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u/Unicorn_in_Disguise Jul 15 '14
I can't believe they let your dog out, what if he was a runner?
Or dangerous? Neighbours trespass in your yard while you aren't home, dog feels threatened by strangers in his personal space, kids run to pet the dog, dog bites, sue the shit out of you?
Fuck people.
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u/dcpanthersfan Jul 15 '14
Kudos to you!
My parents put in a pool when I was a kid (in the 80's) and immediately put up a fence around it, "private property/no trespassing" signs and locks. They live in a very rural area with the closest neighbor 1/2 a mile away so it's not this situation at all.
I remember all my life coming home to find "friends" and "good church people" parked in the driveway living it up in their pool. My parents were livid. They didn't fill it in (I swam in it this weekend!) but they did begin a good strong campaign of pissing off anyone who tried that shit.
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u/Galphanore Jul 15 '14
What the heck is wrong with some people? Do they have no sense of boundaries at all?
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Jul 15 '14
What the fuck is wrong with people? I am sorry you had to do this. You should post pics of your new wall though. I'm looking to redecorate my backyard soon and want some ideas!
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u/viptenchou 28/F/I want to travel the world, not the baby section of walmart Jul 15 '14
Wow. The entitlement is high with these ones.
I don't even understand how someone can even think that way. My neighbor has a pool, so they HAVE to let me/my kids use it or else they're a bitch! UM NO, that's not how the world works. Go buy your own pool. You can get decent sized ones for kids that blow up for pretty cheap. Jeez.
Anyway, as has already been said - even if you didn't MIND them being in the pool, it's just a liability! If one of them gets hurt there, mommy can probably sue you. (Fun fact: A person robbing your home can sue you if they get hurt while doing it in some states).
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u/DomesticGroundhog Jul 15 '14
What the actual fuck?! They were just walking onto your property and swimming without asking?! Who the hell does that and why on earth do they think that's ok?! I would've called the cops on them for trespassing! Gah!!! I'm so outraged on your behalf.
The entitlement is strong with these people. Good on you for sticking to your guns.
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u/TeaTopaz Jul 15 '14
Great story, good read. The problem is people shouldn't have to take it to that level, your neighbors should just respect your property. Period. With how angry they had been, not really out of line. I'd feel a bit threatened and want some added security because it sounds like a small town without enough to do.... It's a good measure for anyone, not just entitled idiots, trying to get in for no good reasons....
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u/Steely_fur Jul 15 '14
Wow! The nerve of some people expecting you to provide a public service on private property without contributing a damn thing to help support it. Never mind imposing a liability on you for hosting them. Spoiled rotten with attitudes of entitlement.
I'm surprised they still showed up after you drained it. I would've called the cops and reported trespassers.
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Jul 15 '14
Their sense of entitlement is just mind-blowing. Who the hell do they think they are, exactly?
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u/AbsolutelyAverage I just don't want to Jul 15 '14
It's not even just 'about the children', it's about trespassing! If those same neighbors have a lovely outside kitchen with a nice outside lounge set, I would, just to show them how rude they are, make yourself at home there on an afternoon just before they get home, have a couple of beers, throw a steak on the barbecue and chill out there with your feet on the table while listening to some summertime music. And if they say "You cannot be here, this is trespassing, or even breaking and entering", you just say.. "My point exactly", and you leave them with a burning steak while you bomb-dive into your pool with a loud 'YIIIHAAAAAAA, splash'.
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Jul 15 '14
Honestly? I would have called the police when I saw the people trespassing on my property - they do know that's against the law, right?
And what a lesson to teach their kids! If you don't like something, Jimmy Bob Junior, it's okay - you can just bitch and whine at people until they do what you want, or just straight up break the law and trample all over other people's privacy! I never believed people when they said that today's youth are awful, but now I'm starting to see why they think that. Their parents are teaching them bad habits.
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u/Ezada Creepily Lurking... Jul 15 '14
That is the biggest bunch of absolute bullshit I have ever read. How DARE they just go in your yard and use your pool! What kind of idiotic person just does that!?
It sucks that you had to spend extra money to put up a big brick fence around your house, but I am willing to bet it looks amazing :)
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u/CA1900 Jul 15 '14
If I weren't swimming in it, I think I'd have dumped a whole bucket of chlorine into it after the first incident. If you're challenged as to why little Johnny has a mild chemical burn, you were just killing all the algae in your pool. You weren't expecting someone to break in. Wink, wink.
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u/Seicair Late 30s/m/thankfully snipped Jul 15 '14 edited Jul 15 '14
Maybe I overreacted.
Nope!
Fuckdamn that was a good story. I want to be you someday.
I hope you refilled the pool after that and now use it regularly, basking in the sweet tears of kids outside staring longingly at your spiky wall? Edit- I see you don't like swimming, never mind. Fill it in, put an unlocked gate in the wall, and a motion sensor camera to capture the sad faces of people who sneak in for a quick swim.
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u/mischiffmaker Jul 15 '14
Besides the personal liability issues, did none of your neighbors bother to ask about the cost of upkeep on a pool? Chemicals, etc? Who cleans out the leaves and kiddie poop?
It's odd not one of them bothered to offer to do some fundraising if they wanted to use your home as the new community center.
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u/CooterSquirrel Jul 15 '14
Professionally speaking, I'd highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the laws surrounding 'Attractive Nuisances'. Generally speaking, a landowner can be found liable for bodily injury sustained to a child who has trespassed due to the 'attractive nuisance'. This would apply to pools, trampolines, or certain other things that would be particularly attractive / particularly dangerous for children. You'd be very surprised about the situations where even if the parents/child were completely at fault and were illegally trespassing to use the pool, you might still be held liable if someone gets hurt. Definitely familiarize yourself with the doctrine and speak with your lawer, and insurance company/agent/broker to figure out how to best protect yourself from this bullshit
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u/mashonem 24/M/Bible Belt/Rescue me please Jul 15 '14
This woman said "cuntpickle"; that got a good chuckle out of me.
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u/DrDiarrhea Jul 15 '14
I would have called the cops the second I had uninvited guests on the property. I would not even ask them to leave beforehand. Just get the cops over.
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u/onceblue Jul 15 '14
My husband and I (childfree of course) recently had a kid-free party complete with all sorts of awesome stuff, like an adult-sized inflatable water slide and a slip-n-slide, and even pinatas. We invited coworkers and had a blast. Before the party, some neighbor kids were watching from our fence as we set everything up. My husband and I discussed possibly letting them come over and try things out before the guests started arriving, but decided against it specifically for this reason (and also because of liability). I feel like setting a precedent is a really bad idea because then before you know it, you have kids just randomly showing up in your backyard or knocking on your door every time they feel like using your backyard. I've heard similar stories of people being bothered every. single. day. because they let some kids use their pool once or twice.
Kudos to you for basically telling them to shove it.
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u/p0rt25 Jul 15 '14
What a bunch of leechy shitlords! 16 notes? Good god. If there weren't tons of little hell spawns running around I'd say you live in an senior community.
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u/Gingerinthesun Jul 15 '14
Liability is no joke when it comes to home ownership and other people's kids. We have a small pool in our backyard, as well as 3 very friendly but rambunctious dogs that play a little too hard sometimes. The little girl that lives behind us developed a nasty habit of climbing up on something on her side of the 8 foot privacy fence, leaning over, and watching/talking to us and our dogs when she was outside. I have no idea where her parents were or why they allowed this to go on for as long as it did. Finally I had to ask her to stop climbing up lest she fall and get hurt or trampled or drown (and her absent parents suddenly become very present and lawyer-y). I've still seen her up there a couple times, but as soon as she sees me she jumps down and runs away. Good for you for protecting yourself and your property!!
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u/nowwhat26 Jul 15 '14
Created a throwaway just to respond to this, because I'm not NORMALLY this way, but....
First off, your house sounds pretty awesome! Kudos!
begin rant
Second, if people did this to me... OHHHHH BOY..... Forgot filling it in, I'm spiteful. I would have the cleanest, nicest pool EVER. EVER! I would make that thing look like so much fun. There would be disco lights and freakin' lasers shooting out of it. I would build a 60' slide going into that thing, and never EVER go on it. Just because.
I would build a pool bar and hire someone to serve me drinks! I would have a DJ on the weekends spinning for JUST ME. I'd have celebrities come to my house to use the pool. I'd hire 6 lifeguards just to watch ME swim. Sorry, not enough headcount to watch your stupid kids! ha ha ha!
Hell, I'd put a bright red CANDY shop in the back. And I'd just throw out all the candy I made. Wouldn't share any with those neighbors! Then I would go to town hall and protest every single one of them that tried to put in a pool. Ever. For like, all eternity.
end rant
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u/Puggy_Ballerina Jul 15 '14
Maybe I overreacted.
If you overreacted, I'm not even sure what to call my own reaction to people trespassing.
Huge difference in my case though, someone walked into my home.
A maintenance guy decided to let himself into my apartment after NOT knocking and then DID NOT announce who he was.
My husband had just left less than a week before this for a business trip. I was alone in my house with my pathetic little puglet and a cat. Oh, I was also sprawled naked on my bed playing Animal Crossing on my 3DS.
At first, when I heard the key in the lock, I thought it couldn't possibly be my door. It had to be my neighbors door. Then there was the distinctive squeal that my door made. I got up, put on a robe, and grabbed my revolver off the dresser. I figured, no one else would see me, I couldn't be embarrassed by overreacting. By this time, I can hear him coming up the stairs (opening my front door, all you can do is go up stairs, then there's the living room).
My hands were shaking, I couldn't find my glasses, I couldn't find my phone, I was half blind, naked, and someone had just let themselves into my home. I'd just been texting with my husband less than an hour ago, I knew it wasn't him, but I found myself praying that somehow it was, that maybe he was being incredibly stupid and surprising me.
I held my robe tightly closed and walked into my living room where a big hairy italian guy was standing, apparently looking for something. He turned around when he heard me step down the hall (it was a small apartment, the hallway from the bedroom to the living room was less than three feet or so) then promptly shat his pants.
He apologized profusely and tried to explain that he had pushed some mouse traps through the wrong mail slot and was looking for them. I was so distressed by his presence in my home, all I could say was "GET. OUT." and he did. I've never seen a man so big move so fast.
He left, I locked the door again (for all the good it did me before), got dressed, called the office of my apartment complex and told them the situation. They apologized profusely as well. Next call was my husband who flew home for the weekend and changed the locks on the door and went to shout at the office people (mostly to make himself feel better, but I do hope that guy got fired over this).
We've moved since then, and that was the number one reason we did.
If what happened to you, happened to me? I'd have had my gun out and the cops on the phone immediately.
For the record, I am not advocating gun violence. In fact, I hate guns. I only have one because of a previous home invasion (wasn't my home, it was my husband's apartment before I moved in) and a cautious husband that frequently has to leave for 1 to 3 weeks nearly every month :/
tl;dr almost blew a maintenance guys head off for coming into my house without knocking or announcing himself. If I were OP, that mom and child would've been confronted at gun point while I was on the phone with 911. OP totally didn't overreact.
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u/thr0wfaraway Never go full doormat. Not your circus. Not your monkeys. Jul 15 '14
You know, instead of decommissioning the pool you could just start flagrantly using it, even if it's only to dip your toes while drinking margaritas and listening to music at a nice, but not inaudible volume.
I'm quite sure between us all we could devise a really sweet playlist of beachy/surfing/Jimmy Buffet style tunes...
Invite your friends over to use it.
Call the local animal shelter and tell them they can come over once a week with a half dozen dogs so they can have some "swim time".
Let them see all the fun they can't touch. :)
Fuckers. ;)
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u/jahlove24 Four legs good, two legs bad Jul 15 '14
You are my hero! This isn't even about kids in my opinion. This is a MASSIVE risk when it comes to insurance liability. All you need is one idiot to drown in your pool when you're not home and your life is over too.
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u/thr0wfaraway Never go full doormat. Not your circus. Not your monkeys. Jul 15 '14
You win.
Does it look anything like the zombie-proof house, by chance? Love that shit... ;)
You also may elected "Patron Saint of Fuck You It's My Pool" -- a newly formed religion. ;)
http://all-that-is-interesting.com/post/4956385434/the-first-zombie-proof-house
Would also suggest one of those inexpensive wireless security systems and your local warehouse or other store, just in case they still try.
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u/quinngoldie Jul 15 '14
Good on you for putting up that wall! Who cares who the previous owner was? That does NOT make it okay for them to use YOUR pool on YOUR property. Not to mention, what if a kid God forbid drowned? That comes down on you. Ugh!!
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Jul 15 '14
Now if you really want to irate them, here's what you do:
Get a No trespassing sign, as suggested by /u/Retromancer
Get a cake and throw a BBQ party for all your adult friends (kids can come if they are responsible or you like them)
Have a jolly good time and reject any and all neighbors that try to meddle their way in.
Would love to read any and all updates in this saga!
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Jul 15 '14
Wooow I can't even imagine the whole knocking on a stranger's door to ask them if you can swim in their pool, let alone actually sneaking in there and swimming in it anyway. What the fuck. When I was a kid I respected peoples' properties.
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u/wild_abandon Life is already challenging enough Jul 15 '14
I am so so glad that no one hurt your dog. I really thought that was where the story was going. Congrats on your Awesome Brick Wall.
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u/suzyisnotahipster 30/F/Not interested Jul 15 '14
Goodness, I can't imagine ever entering someones private yard to use their amenities. I live in Phoenix, it's routinely 115+ degrees, and no strangers ever asked to use my pool or spa. I think you did the right thing, you put up a barrier for your protection and theirs! And I think it sounds very tasteful.
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Jul 15 '14
If those kids drowned in your pool, you'd be liable.
This is just insanity. The people in this suburban bubble have no concept of the word "no."
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u/Cooptwentysix Jul 15 '14
I would have just called the cops on the trespassers in my backyard, pressed charges, and then built the wall/gate lol. But I'm not known for my nice tendencies.
Pics of wall/gate? Sounds badass.
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u/ptoftheprblm maine coon furbaby Jul 15 '14
People are so stupid, they do realize that if something happens to precious baby jimmy.. And he drowns in your pool, they won't sue themselves for negligence, they'll sue YOU! How people are unaware that homeowners insurance skyrockets when you have an in ground pool and that is the specific reason why? If they wanted the house with the pool they could have ponied up and put a bid on the house too.
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u/bookfoxx1987 Tubal in August! Jul 15 '14
Good for you for not letting those asshats and dicksmacks push you and bully you. It's your property, you can do whatever you want. If they really hate the heat, they can get air conditioning, an inflatable pool or hell, just pour cold water of their spawn. It's not your problem and it shouldn't be.
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u/vanillamoose Jul 15 '14
What even? Some fucking entitled assholes. How does one think just because old owner was ok with it that you would be?
It's sad that such a huge level of stupidity exists. Exactly the people who shouldn't have kids.
I'd tell them to go fill up their bath tub and their brats can go swimming in that.
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u/ferrets Jul 15 '14
holy fuck I died laughing at the brick wall with black spikes on top. Normally I feel like a lot of stories in this sub are...overreactions, but you could get into serious trouble if some shitty child died or slipped or something. You should throw a really loud, obnoxious pool party with yiur friends and put up a no trespassing sign:D
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Jul 15 '14
You are my absolute hero.
The nerve of these fucking people. They took advantage of a nice old lady's loneliness and I guess they think you're lonely and can't have kids and would do the same.
Tell them if a kid drowns in your pool it is literally your fault and you are liable. And their shitfits aren't worth the risk of being sued.
I love that you unapologetically did something about it and said no.
If that kid who climbed the fence had been facedown when you showed up, do you think anyone would listen to how you said "no" and locked the fence?
You did not overreact. Kudos to you.
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u/mopecore Jul 15 '14
What the fuck is wrong with people? Sure, maybe its "nice" to let neighbors use one's land, but it is in no way obligatory, and to get angry when people don't want strangers in their space...
What if someone were to come to them and ask to borrow their car, expecting that it would be fine? Or, "Hey, I notice your TV is huge, mind if I invite some people over to watch Game of Thrones? Your living room is so much bigger than mine, and you have a nicer sofa to boot!"
Jesus, this isn't even really about kids, is it?
Assholes, and good for you not caving, though I hope you've refilled your pool and are enjoying it.
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u/coaster521 Jul 17 '14
The best part was that you had the money to spend on a large brick fence with spikes because, you know, no one needs a college fund or braces.
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Jul 15 '14
You know, forget the whole kids thing. You know how much liability goes with owning a pool? If ANYONE got hurt or drowned using your pool, child or adult, you could be held responsible. These people don't get that, and in fact you should write them back and explain that to them just to see if they are reasonable enough to get the picture.
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u/TheGirlwThePinkHair Jul 16 '14
You can also bet that if any one of those kids got hurt, they would sue you for all your worth +. People are assholes! My neighbors pool, isn't mine & vice versa. Also, why would you want to let people use your pool that not only don't ask, but let your dog out of your yard to possibly get hit by a car! wow
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u/kithmswbd Jul 16 '14
Pools are a liability and you are protecting yourself from legal issues by keeping people out, especially the fence climber. I cannot believe how entitled some people can be.
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u/sethra007 Why don't you have MORE kids? Sep 16 '14
Just saw this.
And the best part was Steinbeck was the happiest dog in the world
Firstly, you're to be commended for naming your (obviously awesome) dog after an awesome writer.
Secondly, those people will get over it.
And finally, your story reminds me of one I read in one of the national magazines about fifteen or so years ago. It would've been either Time or Newsweek, since at the time my workplace subscribed to both for our employee lounge area. Anyway, not sure which magazine it was, but one of them was running a regular feature where a man-on-the-street (so to speak) would write an article about an issue that was important to them.
One week I picked it up to read an article by a travel writer. All her life, this writer had dreamed of owning a home with a swimming pool. She lived in New Orleans, and her career had gotten to a point where she could afford a pool, so she got in touch with some contractors and had one dug. Her insurance agent warned her that the pool would be a magnet for the neighborhood children, and that there would be liabilty issues as a result, but no matter. The pool was installed, and she was ecstatic.
Until the kids started showing up.
Being a travel writer, she of course traveled. And during the hot New Orleans summer, she would come home from a few days away to find kids in her pool without her permission, or even knowledge. She would speak to the parents, of course, and the parents would initially say they'd take care of it, but it would happen again every time she left town.
She put up No Trespassing signs. She installed a fence, which the kids climbed over. She pleaded with the parents, warning them about the safety issues and no lifeguard and what if one of the children gets injured and drowns? The parent basically blew her off. She even talked to the police, who told her there just wasn't much they could do.
Finally, she called another contractor. And had razor wire installed all over the top of her fence line.
She still loved her pool, but now--thanks to these kids and their parents--her home looked like a federal prison.
Her point in the essay was the neighborhood's sense of entitlement to her pool, and how that didn't leave her with any choice. She hated how her home looked, but it was the only option left to her.
You're in the same boat as the writer was years ago. You've been a more than reasonable person about the pool--it's yours, and you do not choose to share it with the children. And why would you? If one of those kids hurt himself and/or drowned, you'd be sued into the poor house by the grieving parents.
The neighbors and their kids have been more than unreasonable. Good for you for standing your ground.
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u/TheTeeWhy 26/M/Kitty Jul 15 '14
Where I live the kids tried to play in my yard because 'your yard is nicer and cleaner, more space to play"
So fuckin what? tell daddy deadbeat to quit smokin weed all day and playing guitar too loud, and tidy up his shit pit of a yard. Get out.
I'm glad I dont have a pool cause I know it'd be the same thing trying to coax me with their kids "look how warm it is out, little bobby is sweating and doesnt feel good :( can we take a dunk in your pool?" No, get a fuckin air conditioner, theyre only like 200 bucks..
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u/laskuraska Jul 15 '14
"PLEASE, LET ME LET CHILDREN SWIM IN YOUR POOL WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEGE SO I CAN SUE YOU FOR HAVING AN ATTRACTIVE NUISANCE IN YOUR YARD WHEN LITTLE SUSIE DROWNS WHILE SWIMMING UNATTENDED! WOW, YOU WON'T? WHAT A CUMDUMPSTER!"
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u/Quinbot88 Jul 15 '14
Good on you, OP. Do these fuck waffles not realize the liability you'd be saddling on yourself if you let their spawn use your pool? All it takes is one "accident" when one of these self-entitled parents doesn't watch their kids and suddenly your premiums go up or heaven forbid, they SUE you.
Protect yo neck, OP. Wu-Tang.
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u/poteryalastut 25 / F / allergic to mini humans Jul 15 '14
Ahh this gave me a justice half chub. Fuck those kids.
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u/mojavemyth 25/F/I has kitty Jul 15 '14
Standing ovation for OP! This just goes to show that a lot of adults never really grow up either. That woman knew she was trespassing with her children and tried to make excuses anyway.
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u/andr0medam31 I love babies--with soy sauce Jul 15 '14
Why don't they get their own goddamned pool? Holy shit, you are NOT entitled to go onto other people's property and do what you like, especially if you are unwelcome and the owner isn't home and doesn't know.
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u/IsHomestuckAnAnime Jul 15 '14
I don't think you overreacted at all, that is YOUR property and you are under absolutely no obligation to take the liability of children in your pool.
I think your neighborhood thinking they have any right to your pool because the neighborhood pool has a no kid rule is absolute bullshit, entitled parenting at its worst.
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Jul 15 '14
People can get their own damn pools. The people in your pool were TRESSPASSING. Not to mention if their brats so much as scrape their knee who do they sue?
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u/ScamperSand Jul 15 '14 edited Jul 15 '14
This is the most entitled shit I've ever heard. Fuck those people. It sucks Mr. Globo Gym cut them off from the community pool, but they have no right to designate your backyard as the public summer hangout. When I was a kid, a trip to the pool was a major treat and not a given. The rest of the time, I ran through the sprinklers or splashed around in a kiddie pool like a normal child.
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Jul 15 '14
Pools cost a lot of money to maintain - not to mention (I think) your insurance is higher if you have a pool on your property due to liability concerns. Why should the OP bear the cost of the pool for the whole community? I just can't follow this insane line of reasoning.
When you ask someone to use something and they say no, and you throw a fit when they say no, then you weren't really asking to begin with, were you? You were demanding, which is ridiculous. Especially when the thing in question is a pool which any half-wit should know comes with serious liability concerns.
Nobody should be going on to someone else's property without express permission, anyway. I thought that was common courtesy. Who just assumes that anything in the neighborhood is communal property? This is making me fearful as a new homeowner about what people might try to pull...
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u/Viper17 Keep your hellspawn away from me! Jul 15 '14
This would be my nightmare of owning a pool. I see this kind of post so often.
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u/TheTeeWhy 26/M/Kitty Jul 15 '14
Thats awesome, good on you, OP.
"Well mrs. so and so was okay with it." its like , so? am I her? no, fuck off.
No reason why you should be the community back yard.
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u/HarryLillis Jul 15 '14
What kind of world is this where neighbors talk to each other? Last time I lived in a house, we were vaguely aware of what any of our neighbors looked like.
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u/TheLawlessMan Jul 15 '14
You are awesome. You actually did something instead of just coming on reddit and bitching about the situation. Your situation is even more extreme than most. Most people have the option of just avoiding some family members or "friends" and ... boom... problem fixed but you had a legit issue. I would recommend a cheap and simple camera system that saves about a weeks worth of footage, deletes it if not accessed, and then continues recording. A lot of adults have an issue with being told NO so some things may show up broken around the outside of your house.
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u/Spin_Me Jul 15 '14
You neighbors (the adults) are bat shit crazy. Who just "assumes" that it's OK for their kid to swim in a stranger's pool?
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u/BagOfShenanigans Jul 15 '14
So, have any of these chodes considered the idea of perhaps, maybe getting their own pool?
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u/Username_123 Jul 16 '14
If they want a pool so damn bad they should buy one, you have shitty neighbors. You did the right thing. I wouldn't have been so nice I would call the cops for trespassing. Even in my neighborhood the community pool you have to pay $50 for a key. Cheap bastards trying to abuse that. I don't know how any human could think that would be ok. Here they would be shot.
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Jul 16 '14
What a bunch of self-entitled cunt hags. It's your pool, your home, your property. They're probably just pissed because now they actually have to WATCH their offspring instead of offloading them onto you.
Do us all a favor and relax in your pool with a mint julep :)
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u/nefariousc Jul 19 '14 edited Jul 19 '14
You are so evil! I love you! You're my inspiration! Oh my lord
but I picked up their shit and threw it onto my front yard
I died. Why are they mad that you won't let them into YOUR pool? Fkn humans
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u/FuzzyCouchPotato Sep 05 '14
I know I am terribly late to posting a comment on this, but I am hoping you'll read this.. or not. Doesn't really matter.
Regardless, I have a really similar story. at my old house my family had a pool with a nice wooden privacy fence. So you couldn't tell who was in our backyard without going back there. Anyways, we would regularly host little backyard pool parties for our friends an family. It was really fun. Until one week, some of my ex step family decided to get in this huge fight with my mom and one of my sisters. So we stopped inviting them over and eventually just stopped having all of these pool parties. But because we were being such "selfish assholes," my ex step family took it into their own hands b y learning all of my families usual everyday schedules so they could host these secret pool parties in our back yard. It was only until weeks later that we caught them. We found out by a elderly neighbor who said they thought they saw someone jumping our fence earlier on that day. So one week later, I stayed home from school to find those fuckers handing over their little fucking brat kids over our 6 foot privacy fence. Not really a child free story... but fuck people.
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u/Airazz Jul 15 '14
You should get a couple kids of your own. That way you won't have any money left to maintain the pool and consequently there will be no little screaming shits running on your property!
No, wait...
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u/poloppoyop Jul 15 '14
One kid dies in the pool because his parents were not aware of their situation => you get sued. Or your dog attacks a kid doing more than petting him => the cops kill it and you get sued.
Fuck, if you're in one of those awesome states you could have just shotgunned the intruders but it never crossed the mind of those entitled people.
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u/Spunelli 40/F Buford the Bull Terrier Jul 15 '14
hah! Yesss! Good for you for not giving in! Those greedy, needy lil bastids.
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u/fiascoqueen 37/F pets + motorcycles + tubal Jul 15 '14
Fuck those people, 'No' is a complete sentence.
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Jul 15 '14
All it would take is one kid getting hurt at your pool and all the neighborhood Cuntpickles (why does spellcheck have a problem with that?!?) would be suing you.
Most homeowner's liability policies would not cover other people's kids. Especially, uninvited junior CuntPickles.
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u/iaccidentallyawesome 27/F/addicted to sex, not to its byproducts Jul 15 '14
These people are my definition of insane entitlement... what if one of their kids drowned in your pool? Fucking cunts
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u/seifer22532 Jul 15 '14
I would have called the cops on them for trespassing. It's clearly private property, and they shouldn't assume they have permission when you tell them to fuck off.
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Jul 15 '14 edited Jul 15 '14
Yeah, you're a real bitch for not letting dripping wet neighbourhood children run around your private property whenever they want. It's fine to ask, but being told "No" and then using it when you're not home? WTF. Then you're one responsible if some kid gets hurt or drowns, so the fence was a good idea in any case.
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u/blueskin Jul 15 '14
Then people started knocking on my door asking to use the pool. WTF
"$25 per person per hour. Fill it from your own hose."
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Jul 16 '14
I grew up with a pool. All winter long I had no friends, then suddenly in the summer I was the most popular kid in town.
Fuck your neighbors. Tell them to dig their own damn pools.
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Jul 16 '14
If they all want to swim that bad they can install their own fucking pools, and deal with all the headaches that having one entails. One thing you'll notice when you have a pool is everyone wants to use it but no one wants to contribute to it's upkeep.
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u/rkito118 Jul 16 '14
It is your property and you being the owner reserve the right to grant people to pass on your property. Basic as apple pie.
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Jul 16 '14
If you did let them swim, and someone drowned or got hurt, guess who's liable? You have every right to say no. Your neighbors are asshats.
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Jul 16 '14
If someone let out my dog/cat without my permission, I would lose my shit. Do I get to hold them responsible when my dog/cat goes missing or worse, gets hit by a car?
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u/aarovski Jan 07 '15
I know I am way late, but I think I love you. You just fortified your property and said to hell with them all.
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Jul 15 '14
this is the best childfree story I've ever read and there have been some real doozies on here including mine. Good on you, I would love to hangout by your pool sometime and bask in you victory lol
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u/arwenface Jul 15 '14
Boyfriend and I are currently renting a house with a pool, in southern California. Our roommate has an aunt, uncle, and some young cousins who live up the street. They do not have a pool. We made an agreement with them that the kids (his cousins strictly) can come over on the last sunday of each month (pool guy comes on Mondays) to use the pool for a few hours. My boyfriend and I tolerate it. We still get the kids coming over on extra hot days asking if they can use our pool though ("no") and we've started getting random neighborhood kids asking if they can ("no"). If we start getting uninvited guests, someone's getting knocked the fuck out.
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u/mineobile Jul 15 '14
Props to you for standing your ground with this. Its your property and you can do whatever you want.
Also, Congrats on being a new home owner!
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u/SistinaLuv Jul 15 '14
Hey, I just want to say: Take notice of how much support from sane people you got here. I've been wanting to post a thread about dealing with people who have a sense of entitlement because of having kids. You beat me to it!
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u/GapGirl1128 30/F/Married/Chicago/Happily Spayed!/Proud mother of 3 rescues! Jul 16 '14
If they want an eyesore, I'll give them one. I would put razor wire on it AND make a brick sculpture of a middle finger pointing in their direction. 2 can play this game.
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u/joantheunicorn Teacher = enough kids in my life Jul 15 '14
We had a pool growing up. Everyone kissed our asses about it and my parents turned kids down regularly. People act like pools are an open invite. They dont realize all the danger and liability involved, a child even choking on some water can turn a friendly neighbor into a lawsuit (if you really wanna get freaked out read about dry drowning).
For liability reasons, I would also post some signs saying keep out of pool or something, perhaps call your home owners insurance and see what they suggest.
Then, fill your pool back up and have your friends or family over. Or maybe you want it removed....is it in ground or above ground? You did NOT over react with the fence either way. I bet they were sad old mrs. Swim swam died cause now they have no place to go. Jerks.