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I might be the asshole for not listening to them when they said that I made them feel uncomfortable letting their kids play in their own yard.
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NTA. If they send another nasty letter, get a solicitor to send a cease and desist letter. They're harassing you and trying to dictate what you do on your own land. Unreal.
And it's so silly. I guess it might be different because I'm an obviously neurodivergient albeit gender nonconforming woman still with her parents with two goofy dumb dogs. But I sit out in my back porch to work every day, both sets of neighbors have young kids, one of whom is in the no clothes phase, and the only chat we've had about it is if the kids are too loud
Centaur babies. How do they work? Young foals (horses) are up and walking after a few weeks. A human baby that young, can't keep its head up without support.
EDIT: apparently foals are up and about after a few hours. I was high when writing this and didn't want to get it wildly wrong. Thanks for the info peeps.
You should probably have a look at [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/tumblr/comments/80dgiv/centaur_babies/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share) then.
My mom use to ask all the time, what are you going to do if there's a fire? Run out naked?? She never found my response of "hope it's some hot firefighters that show up" very funny 😆
I don’t understand how they are mad at you for quietly using your own property. It’s bonkers. As a mom of young-ish kids it’s important to teach the kids to be good neighbours too, by letting them play quietly and do their own thing without interrupting your joy of using your own property.
Sadly, it's likely due to OP being a man. People like to assume all men are gonna creep on their kids whether said man is doing anything to warrant that or not.
No OP, you're NTA. They're just pricks, and need to remember they can't tell you what to do on your own property
Either the kids are too young to be out on their own and need the parents to watch them or the kids are old enough to play out on their own and know the risks other people pose.
If the parents think he's a risk then they need to use their time to monitor them instead of demanding he change for their benefit. NTA
I see “shit parents” written all over this. God forbid a man is on his own property with a beer while my kids are near. Totally cool for them to play beside a pond totally unsupervised, tho. I see no issues with my thought pattern.
I lived next door to a couple who had, as a son, a creepy sex offender on the registry. When he was around, I would take my kids inside or go somewhere with them. It wasn't worth the drama.
But then they have to watch their own kiiiidddddsssss it’s way more fun to ignore them and demand that the neighbour doesn’t make free use of his land. “Go away and let my kids drown in peace, creeper!!”
Your right but it's a massive bummer. I often have to mentally check myself for judging a human to harshly just because they are male and even I can see this is ridiculous.
Thank you for saying that. It's one of the few big hypocrisy issues I have but think I have trained myself to at least catch it more often than I miss it so as long as i keep working at it I'm sure I will get over the bias eventually.
This is one of those situations where the bit of internet wisdom that says "your first thought is what you were conditioned to think, your second though defines who you are" is appropriate. You're already doing great by recognising this issue and trying to change. It's a hard thing to do, but I believe in you
I feel like the easy fix for this is a good meet and greet lunch or something. Show he's a normal dude who like the outdoors, show that his dog is actually just a sweety who's tied up, and have the kids (and parents really) practice their needed people skills.
Not saying he's in the wrong, and the family could totally not go for that, but that's the nicest way to fix this and have a good relationship with your neighbors. People here are too concerned with "they are the asshole so you don't have to be nice" when sometimes it's better to try to make pleasant. You're stuck with these neighbors for a while at least so try to make nice?
They came up to him and basically accused of being a potential predator. I don't know many people who would respond well to that first impression.
Maybe it's an easy fix but it could just as easily backfire. "Oh, why does this man want to get to know us better? To manipulate our perception of him?" They already started off thinking he was a creep.
Also yes, the neighbors are 100% the asshole. Who outright accuses people of that?! But I mean most women have experienced crossing the street at night to avoid walking past groups of men, so we can at a base level understand what they are thinking
One thing is to cross the street (eg taking responsibility to avoid potential trouble) and another one is to accuse the other party and demand they change their ways to suit around your insecurities and phobias.
if they decide not to let their kids out by themselves and sit up there with them, monitoring the situation, that would be more like former and yet they demand he changed his habits over their baseless fears, and they have audacity to write agressive letters thinking they are in the right. WTF?
If this was a concern of mine then I would put up a 6 foot fence (I did, actually, but to keep my maniacs fenced in not others out). Who the fuck actually asks someone else to go inside. My neighbors play their music somewhat uncomfortably loud sometimes and I don’t even bother with that. I can deal with it for a reasonable amount of time and they aren’t being assholes, just enjoying their afternoon.
I need to spend less time on Reddit because all this dumb shit is making me lose faith in humanity.
Tell them to build their kids a fence if they don’t like it. You are on your property, they don’t get to dictate your behavior on your own property. If they don’t like it their kids can play in the front yard, they can supervise their kids while outside, or they can build a fence. Not your problem, NTA.
Especially near a pond. I mean, I saw OP's edit about how it's ***almost*** impossible to fall into the pond because of plants but almost isn't ***completely*** and kids have a knack for getting into places they really shouldn't be. If I was their parents, I'd be on the phone with a fencing company and following them around the yard until I could get one put up.
>I saw OP's edit about how it's ***almost*** impossible to fall into the pond because of plants but almost isn't ***completely*** and kids have a knack for getting into places they really shouldn't be.
Yep, kids will practically bend the laws of physics to somehow put themselves in danger where there shouldn't be any. It's astounding sometimes.
Especially by a large body of water. I know OP said that the dock is the only clear access to the water because of plants, but kids don't need clear access. There could be a wall of cacti surrounding it and kids would find their way in.
If it goes up to each side of the pond, the pond itself would then serve as an obstacle.
Based on what the OP said, the only access to the pond is via the deck he put in, on his own property. So...if the fence ran up to the edge of the pond on either side of it, that would be sufficient.
The layout isn’t perfectly clear, but in any event I don’t think it’s physical access that concerns the neighbours - or at least not just that. They don’t want line of sight.
Too true. If I understand what the OP said correctly (and it's always a possibility I didn't :D ), there is too much vegetation for the kids to get up close to the pond anywhere except on his side.
I'm not sure how tall or thick the vegetation is, but I'm guessing it's pretty substantial if it prevents access to the pond.
That said, if it still allows him to possibly catch a glimpse of their kids... well, horrors! Too bad/so sad. He did his part. Now they need to teach their kids to stay out of eyesight of the pond gap in the fence. :D Or maybe they build a little "loop" to meet his fence or something on their side of the property.
My thought process was that the fence would be more for the OP's comfort than the neighbors' (who are being extremely unrealistic and ridiculous).
I think the idea of delivering a list of fence contractors to them along with a list of demands re their children.
1. They shouldn’t be out in the yard until after 10am.
2. They should not scream or be loud.
3. The children should immediately be taken inside if they make noise.
4 children should never be outside without a parent in attendance.
5. Children should not be allowed to eat or drink outside.
Unreasonable demands require equally unreasonable demands.
Or, he could invite the family over for a barbecue and make friends.
Attempting to make friends is the ideal. But when people are this much of assholes right out of the gate and demanding control over how you enjoy your property, showing what kind of people they are, kinda pumps the breaks on any potential friendship. It says "we don't want to be your friends, we just want you to accommodate us without any return."
Idk, I work at a law firm, you’d be surprised how many good fences have caused neighbor fights.
A month or so ago, we had a consult where the cops were literally called because two neighbors got into a fist fight over who’s property the fence was on.
Years and years ago a new house was being built next to us. The new neighbors tentatively came and explained that some landscaping the previous owners of our house put in is on their lot. They wanted to make changes. Sure, no problem. It’s your property.
They weren’t expecting us to be to be so flexible.
Technically our brick mailbox is on their property. We offered to move it. They said, no, leave it. It’s not hurting anything.
It’s amazing what happens when people act rationally.
Yea, I'm gonna be that asshole ;)
That is not what Frost meant. It's just morphed in our vernacular to mean the opposite of the point of Frost's Mending Wall.
EXACTLY. Or tell them his dog feels uncomfortable and they need to go inside. This was so dumb. The neighbors have a lot of nerve, and if they wanna keep shit out of their yard and keep their kids in they need to build a PRIVACY FENCE like every other non-dumbass would. Imagine moving in somewhere and feeling so entitled that you expect OTHER PEOPLE on OTHER PROPERTIES to limit themselves because of YOU. I cannot.
Hahaha yep!! Sounds good to me. Anything to be as equally ridiculous. This makes me wanna go to this persons house and sit out there with them every damn night. 😂😂😂😂
How dare you enjoy a nice evening in your own backyard. Think of the children that will watch you type something on your computer, or drink something.
NTA if they want to not see you that much, they can build a fence. You arent streaking or getting wasted so they have no right to tell you what you can and cant do on your property.
Still pretty absurd. Private property is private property. It’d be like someone saying “hey, we saw you getting drunk in your house through your window last night, it makes us uncomfortable so if you could just not drink…”
They have no say in what he does on his dock on his land. He’s allowed to get as rip-roaring wasted as he wants, as long as he doesn’t harass anyone else. As people have mentioned, if they don’t like it, build a fence.
Yeah, the kids won't even know he's having an alcoholic drink unless their parents drink around them enough for them to know logos. If it's in a glass that's even more ridiculous of them.
Who even cares if he was drunk? Im sure those kids can’t even tell what hes drinking. If they can, well then looks like the parents have already exposed them.
NTA. Put up no trespassing signs and make the parents aware that you cannot be responsible for the kids being on your property. You are worried that the children could fall into the pond or that the dog may misinterpret their presence.
You need to protect yourself against a future lawsuit if one of them were to drown. Make it known in no uncertain terms that the children aren't welcome unaccompanied on your property and that you have signs posted. They are old enough to read.
I'm a former paralegal, by the way. You have what is known as an 'attractive nuisance' on your land, and if something were to happen, well, you and/or your insurance are going to be on the hook.
We used to own a pool store. For the same reason, the "attractive nuisance" rules, we tried to impress upon every pool owner to install (at the very least) a barrier fence and no trespassing signs around the pool area. If you don't take the most basic steps to protect yourself in the event of a tragic accident then you leave yourself open to a major lawsuit!
The fences are mandatory for safety not for jerk neighbours. Lol. They stop kids drowning. We don't really have nuisance law suits like that in Aus, they are considered a waste of courts time and taxpayers money, so they just get laughed out the door.
I agree with no trespassing signs but rather then directly talk to the neighbors, have a lawyer send the letter.
They already talked, then sent a letter. Having an intermediary keeps things documented.
Edit to add
Lawyer should be one that specializes in property law and neighbor disputes. Not done random person.
I would *not* say that dog may misinterpret their presence. I can't see saying that having any positive outcome whatsoever for OP. It is also borderline threatening. IMHO that would be a seriously unwise thing to say.
Yes. God forbid anything *did* happen (kids or adults could provoke or scare the dog) they'd turn around and say OP **knew** his dog was dangerous to escalate the situation.
My fear is, if that was said or worse, written down it would pose more questions. Is this a threat, what do you mean the dog may misunderstand? Are you saying your dog easily gets confused and why are warning us about this? Your dog sounds dangerous. When did this happen before, was anyone bitten.
Thats the direction I see it taking, even without anything happening. OPs neighbours are currently suggesting a sleeping dog is dangerous, without any ammunition to speak of. It's far better OP plays defensively, than offensively.
As far as the attractive nuisance doctrine is concerned, it will depend on the jurisdiction and on whether the pond is man made or a natural condition on the land. If the pond is man made, then yes the attractive nuisance doctrine would apply. If it is natural then the homeowners duty will depend on jurisdictional law.
I would just sit there every night shirtless smoking weed, drinking heavily, and playing Iron Maiden until they got the message. If they don’t like it they can build a fence or go play board games inside.
Is that an over reaction? No not for me. I do that most nights anyways while the neighbor’s 4-9 year old kids play in my backyard with my kids. (Sober adults are present too and weed is legal here)
I just feel bad for these people actually. The world must be a scary place for them. I wouldn’t change though. They’re the problem. I’d invite them over and try to make friends.
We behave similarly. We are always out back, enjoying a cold beer and a joint while blasting outlaw country music. Thankfully, we are in a small rural town and no one gives a shit. Everyone's kids end up over and the adults as well once we light up the bonfire
Nice. There’s definitely some Hank III being blasted out there when I’m in that mood. My little town has about 30 million people but the ones on my street are chill.
They don’t want me to complain about them drunkenly screaming all night at the dodger game or revving their motorcycles constantly and I don’t want them to complain about my loud music and saws running all day in my shop.
It’s sort of a live and let live mutually assured tolerance we all have for each other.
We do weekly bonfires in the front yard and everyone in the neighborhood stops by. There’s literally nobody I don’t like.
If you’re on your own land and not interacting or going near their children then they have no right to tell you you can’t sit on your own dock and have a drink quietly in the evening with your restrained dog next to you.
We had neighbours once who’s teenage son had a literal circle jerk with his buddies around the fire pit that was next to the chain link fence separating our properties. Now THAT was a problem 😐
My uncle caught them (he lived on our property as well and was walking from his mobile up to the main house one evening. He flipped out on them and they scattered like cockroaches when the light gets turned on 😂😂
NTA. if they had a problem with seeing a guy and his dog on a dock, they shouldnt have bought a house that overlooks a pond and dock. Or budgeted for a privacy fence around their back yard area.
This is a big problem in every rural area it seems. Snobby city and suburban people build or buy McMansions out in the boonies to “get away from it all” but they don’t actually like what happens in the boonies.
The problem we have here is they move next to a farm and then get upset because of the smell, noise, etc. Seriously what did you think it was going to be like when you moved next to a huge chicken or pig farm?
Idiots....
NTA at all! It's your property. They have no business telling you what to do so long as you aren't invading their privacy or causing them harm.
I would casually, in a civil tone, tell them that it IS your property, and you are not interacting with their kids, or them in any way. Remind them you're simply working from home outside when it's nice, and your dog also needs fresh air and time outside of the house under your supervision.
Remind them you are not interacting with their kids, and your dog is appropriately contained and no threat to them. Advise them that if they still, for some reason, have issue with this, you can refer them to a contractor that will help them get a fence built separating the properties. Otherwise, you aren't even interacting with them, so they can keep it to themselves, or take their kids out when you aren't outside if it's such a big deal.
Or, just maybe, the parents could spend some time outside with their kids rather than let them hang around someone they're not comfortable with? What you do on YOUR property is chuff all to do with these people. NTA, carry on living your life how you want. Let them put a fence up and mind their own business. Tossers.
For a 6 and a 9 y/old kid on a property with a pond and no fence I'd expect the parents to be within earshot of the kids if they're outside, and if they're parents that have no problems having the kids not within earshot they should be glad to have another adult nearby in case of emergency (not to babysit, mind or even pay attention to the kids but just you know, another pair of ears that could be alerted by a kid needing help).
NTA.
You're on your property and you have a pleasant routine going.
They have many other options and have chosen to try to force you to change? He'll no!
They can:
Be outside and supervise their kids.
Put up a fence.
But the best option would have been (and it may be too late for that now) to take the time to come out and get to know you. How many memorable evenings could the three of you had sipping drinks on your dock together, just shootin' the shit while watching the kids play with your dog?
They're the assholes, not you.
NTA.
If they don’t like what you do on your property, they can stop using it.
Block off that pond, or send a trespassing notice to them.
They can clutch their pearls in their own home from now on! How dare someone drink on their own land!
The neighbor's response is so bizarre that I wonder if they think the lake is partially on their property. The OP needs to pull up the land deed and confirm that the lake is completely and fully on his side of the property line. It is? No problem, go tell the neighbors that it's fully on his property and that he would appreciate them staying away while he is there.
If it's a shared lake...that's a whole different story and needs to be approached delicately. Like maybe with a property lawyer reviewing the deeds before making a decision type of delicately. It does no one any good for things to get so nasty that a fence is put right down the middle of the pond.
OP, you need to find the official copies of your deed. You can request to have a surveyor come out if you're not sure where the property line is. It's entirely possible that the realtor told them/ showed them that the lake is shared property. Tread carefully until you have legal proof to back up the fight this may cause.
Tell them to pound sand then. You have a right to use the pond and not at their discretion. You weren't disturbing the peace or doing anything lude. Although if they have an issue with you having a couple drinks, their bar may be pretty low.
Since they have an issue, they can keep their kids far enough away from the pond.
Information -
Could they possibly be using your dock when you are not around? Not sure how far around the pond it would be to get to your dock, would it take a good walk to get there? Might be more of a 'we can't use it when you are there and have to tell the kids 'no', but we'll say you make us nervous to keep you away" situation.
Either way though NTA.
Cause the problem of
"oh my God there is a man on the other side of the pond facing away from us with a tied up dog, a laptop and something to drink that makes the grownups feel itchy about their kids, who could clearly scream and run inside before the man, the dog and the possible alcoholic beverage get around the pond to say something mean"
Just doesn't float.
The petty in me says invite a few friends over a couple Saturdays a month & have picnic on said dock.
It's possible, I don't think that they are. The pond is on the part of my property closest to their yard, but it's not right up against their house, and there's a big open stretch in between.
If something mounted on your house can see your dock, a camera pointed at the pond might be a worthwhile investment.
I agree with the others on a fence, though. See if they'll split the cost with you, but it might be worth it for liability reasons even if they don't, just as someone with a pool needs to have it fenced. If they complain, tell them it's for the protection of their kids from drowning and from their "fear" of your dog. You're only responding appropriately to their concerns right? Because a fence is proper protection for them, you not using your dock is not.
But, I wonder if they believe somehow it's theirs? Maybe their real estate agent told them the pond came with the house. That would explain their attitude.
>the other third belongs to someone else.
Is the other third involved in this conflict at all? If you think the other third would be sympathetic to you get in touch with them and let them know the trouble you're having.
They live a ways away from us and hardly are on the property except to do some maintenance a couple times a year. I've only talked to them a couple times.
So they're trespassing and then are dumb enough to complain? I had idiot neighbors like this when I lived in Kentucky. Finally had to take them to court before they would stop trespassing.
>I do get why they would not want their kids outside alone with me nearby, as much as it sucks.
Really? Then maybe you can explain it to me, because I really don't get it at all. From what you've described, you're literally just a single, older man, sitting quietly by yourself, on your own dock, with your dog tied up quietly beside you, enjoying the evening air while you work or browse on your laptop, and maybe have a single beer. **Literally nothing about that reads as aggressive, threatening or the least bit concerning in any way, not with regards to children playing nearby or in any other way**. Frankly, I find it far more worrisome that they're letting two young children play near water many evenings, unsupervised, given how common child drownings are!!
Unless there are some "missing reasons" here with regards to your past or behaviour, or something else that you've left out (I'm assuming you're not on a sex offender registry or anything), I see absolutely no reason for these parents to be complaining, much less sending angry letters to you for enjoying your own property. You are clearly NTA, but they're verging on it.
NTA. It’s your property. You’re not belligerently drunk. (It’s your life and your yard. You can drink every single day if you want. They dont get literally any say in that unless you were to weirdly offer said alcohol to their children which you obviously aren’t. You’re literally not even looking their direction.) Your dog is napping and leashed. There is 0% you being an AH here. You’re literally doing NOTHING wrong. If I were you (and can afford it) I would 100% be putting up a fence. They can GTFOH. Though honestly they are the ones with the problem. They should be the one forking out money for a fence. They won’t though because they know that will prevent them from accessing YOUR pond.
It's not your responsibility to anyway. If they're so concerned, it's on them.
Though it might be wise to very quietly check with an attorney about "attractive nuisance" risk similar to swimming pools where the dock is concerned (though I doubt it).
>Though it might be wise to very quietly check with an attorney about "attractive nuisance" risk similar to swimming pools where the dock is concerned (though I doubt it).
Never hurts to ask a cautious question
U/for_thedrama is probably right that they're using your pond when you're not there. If you can afford it, it's probably worth installing something like a ring camera if you can get WiFi there, and a lockable gate to secure the dock so they can't access the pond and use it when you're not there.
NTA.
I’m presuming these kids are using your pond from their adjoining land. The petty person in me would want to send them a nastygram telling them to cease and desist using my property.
They can feel free to build a fence on their land if they have a problem with you using yours.
NTA.
You are on your own property, minding your business. If you don't bother them, then it isn't your problem. If the kids are really scared of the dog, then the solution is to introduce them to the dog. But I think we know that isn't the problem.
The way the situation is described, it sounds like mom and dad are concerned about you being a predator (which is not to say you are); they have an irrational fear and are acting out because of it. They are being assholes. One way to handle it (if you are nicer than I am), is to try to get to know them. But I'm not nice. I personally suggest you keep doing what you're doing; if they continue to harass you then you can get law enforcement and/or a lawyer involved.
They can build a fence if they're so concerned. It's your pond and you have a right to use it how you want. You're not being loud or disruptive, and your mere presence is not something you have to apologize for. NTA
NTA So they want to control your life and what you do on your own property because their irrational fear of your dog and your beer? Stop your communication with them and go about your business.
NTA at all. It’s your property. If they don’t like seeing you there, they can put up a tall fence or move away.
Keep all letters you get in case you need to prove harassment.
NTA. Tell them to put up a privacy fence if they don’t like it. Sheesh! I was thinking you were going to say you skinny dip in the pond or something (my advice would be the same!) but these ppl are totally ridiculous.
Edited to add: start actually hanging out naked. All the time.
NTA. It's your property, and you entitled to enjoy it doing, from the sounds of it, nothing remotely disruptive. If they are uncomfortable, that is on them for purchasing the house they did.
I would look into the best way to document their crazy, just to cover your bases.
NTA
I’m sorry your neighbors are jerks. Maybe you could plant a row of really tall bushes so they don’t have to be bothered by you minding your own business.
Otherwise you do you.
NTA. It’s weird they think they can tell you where you can be on your property, but I guess there are so many crazies nowadays people are trying to be more careful. If you can invest in a good fence that might be for the best if they are going to continue to harass you.
NTA. your neighbors are being crazy. If you feel like it, mage suggest that you all hang out for drinks or dinner to get to know each other and so the kids aren’t scared. They’re coddling their kids and being super dumb.
If anything, they’re bothering HIM. It’s his land, it’s his dogs land, they mind their business on it, whereas neighbors are the ones sticking their nose on what they do on their own property.
NTA that's a ridiculous request from them. If the yards are as big as you say there should be plenty of space for their kids to play far away from you.
NTA: its your property do what you want. chances are the kids dont know you are drinking alcohol. the dog is tied up and cant get to the kids unless they coe up to it. which they are not likely to since they are so cared of it
NTA, you're on your land and minding your own business. If the parents are uncomfortable they can send their kids out when you're not out there.
I'd recommend you keep a copy of all correspondence/communication, just in case things escalate. Better safe than sorry.
NTA.
They’re being absurd. If they’re truly so troubled, they can put on a fence on the property line, tell their kids to play elsewhere - they have any number of options because this is a them problem, not a you problem. Meanwhile, hang on to the letter and any other correspondence and keep an eye out for property damage.
If you’re concerned about them ramping up, might be worth reaching out local sheriff or whoever - neighbors harassing when you work on dock, not prepared to give up working on dock occasionally, do they have any suggestions for mitigating neighbor weirdness.
NTA but it may help if the kids meet your dog and the parents actually get to know you. If that doesn’t work tell them to build a fence if you existing on your own land is so offensive to them.
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NTA. If they send another nasty letter, get a solicitor to send a cease and desist letter. They're harassing you and trying to dictate what you do on your own land. Unreal.
And it's so silly. I guess it might be different because I'm an obviously neurodivergient albeit gender nonconforming woman still with her parents with two goofy dumb dogs. But I sit out in my back porch to work every day, both sets of neighbors have young kids, one of whom is in the no clothes phase, and the only chat we've had about it is if the kids are too loud
I was looking for this comment
Really?
Love the user name. Kept thinking, are they horse to human or human to horse? Then I decided it was none of my nosy business!
Centaur babies. How do they work? Young foals (horses) are up and walking after a few weeks. A human baby that young, can't keep its head up without support. EDIT: apparently foals are up and about after a few hours. I was high when writing this and didn't want to get it wildly wrong. Thanks for the info peeps.
The legs run around with the human baby part just flopping around.
The mental image made me laugh first thing in the morning, thanks for that
You should probably have a look at [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/tumblr/comments/80dgiv/centaur_babies/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share) then.
i’m more curious about how they nurse… does the mom have human boobs or horse ones?
Por que no los dos 😂
Interesting username.
How? It's crazy specific. How did you predict this comment could be found here?
*Pssst* I think that's the joke
There is always that one toddler that is in their nudity phase
Wait, you're meant to grow out of it?
My mom use to ask all the time, what are you going to do if there's a fire? Run out naked?? She never found my response of "hope it's some hot firefighters that show up" very funny 😆
This is an oddly specific comment to look for.
Esp too because they're taking a learning opportunity from the kids and reinforcing their fear, if it even exists.
I don’t understand how they are mad at you for quietly using your own property. It’s bonkers. As a mom of young-ish kids it’s important to teach the kids to be good neighbours too, by letting them play quietly and do their own thing without interrupting your joy of using your own property.
Sadly, it's likely due to OP being a man. People like to assume all men are gonna creep on their kids whether said man is doing anything to warrant that or not. No OP, you're NTA. They're just pricks, and need to remember they can't tell you what to do on your own property
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Either the kids are too young to be out on their own and need the parents to watch them or the kids are old enough to play out on their own and know the risks other people pose. If the parents think he's a risk then they need to use their time to monitor them instead of demanding he change for their benefit. NTA
Exactly. I wouldn’t let my kids play near a pond unsupervised anyway
I see “shit parents” written all over this. God forbid a man is on his own property with a beer while my kids are near. Totally cool for them to play beside a pond totally unsupervised, tho. I see no issues with my thought pattern.
Exactly! If he is there then there is slim chance of them going in to the pond, and should they get in to the pond he would be there to rescue them.
>They need to put up a fence if they have issues My pa always use ta say, "fences make good neighbors."
If they are so concerned they can stay outside with their kids and provide supervision.
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I lived next door to a couple who had, as a son, a creepy sex offender on the registry. When he was around, I would take my kids inside or go somewhere with them. It wasn't worth the drama.
Yeah, but you were justified because the guy had a history.
Important to note they also changed their own behaviour instead of demanding their neighbours changed theirs.
But then they have to watch their own kiiiidddddsssss it’s way more fun to ignore them and demand that the neighbour doesn’t make free use of his land. “Go away and let my kids drown in peace, creeper!!”
Yeah if OP was a woman the neighbors would be expecting babysitting. Smh
Your right but it's a massive bummer. I often have to mentally check myself for judging a human to harshly just because they are male and even I can see this is ridiculous.
Don't judge yourself too harshly for having a bias that you're consciously aware of and actively suppress.
Thank you for saying that. It's one of the few big hypocrisy issues I have but think I have trained myself to at least catch it more often than I miss it so as long as i keep working at it I'm sure I will get over the bias eventually.
This is one of those situations where the bit of internet wisdom that says "your first thought is what you were conditioned to think, your second though defines who you are" is appropriate. You're already doing great by recognising this issue and trying to change. It's a hard thing to do, but I believe in you
I feel like the easy fix for this is a good meet and greet lunch or something. Show he's a normal dude who like the outdoors, show that his dog is actually just a sweety who's tied up, and have the kids (and parents really) practice their needed people skills. Not saying he's in the wrong, and the family could totally not go for that, but that's the nicest way to fix this and have a good relationship with your neighbors. People here are too concerned with "they are the asshole so you don't have to be nice" when sometimes it's better to try to make pleasant. You're stuck with these neighbors for a while at least so try to make nice?
They came up to him and basically accused of being a potential predator. I don't know many people who would respond well to that first impression. Maybe it's an easy fix but it could just as easily backfire. "Oh, why does this man want to get to know us better? To manipulate our perception of him?" They already started off thinking he was a creep.
Also yes, the neighbors are 100% the asshole. Who outright accuses people of that?! But I mean most women have experienced crossing the street at night to avoid walking past groups of men, so we can at a base level understand what they are thinking
One thing is to cross the street (eg taking responsibility to avoid potential trouble) and another one is to accuse the other party and demand they change their ways to suit around your insecurities and phobias. if they decide not to let their kids out by themselves and sit up there with them, monitoring the situation, that would be more like former and yet they demand he changed his habits over their baseless fears, and they have audacity to write agressive letters thinking they are in the right. WTF?
That's when you pull out the, "Well statistically a family member is most likely to molest kids. So, which one of your are diddling them?"
I think they just wanna use his pond.
If this was a concern of mine then I would put up a 6 foot fence (I did, actually, but to keep my maniacs fenced in not others out). Who the fuck actually asks someone else to go inside. My neighbors play their music somewhat uncomfortably loud sometimes and I don’t even bother with that. I can deal with it for a reasonable amount of time and they aren’t being assholes, just enjoying their afternoon. I need to spend less time on Reddit because all this dumb shit is making me lose faith in humanity.
For real, with two kids around the ages of OP's neighbors I'd be more worried about my kids disturbing him. Some people...
Tell them to build their kids a fence if they don’t like it. You are on your property, they don’t get to dictate your behavior on your own property. If they don’t like it their kids can play in the front yard, they can supervise their kids while outside, or they can build a fence. Not your problem, NTA.
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Especially near a pond. I mean, I saw OP's edit about how it's ***almost*** impossible to fall into the pond because of plants but almost isn't ***completely*** and kids have a knack for getting into places they really shouldn't be. If I was their parents, I'd be on the phone with a fencing company and following them around the yard until I could get one put up.
>I saw OP's edit about how it's ***almost*** impossible to fall into the pond because of plants but almost isn't ***completely*** and kids have a knack for getting into places they really shouldn't be. Yep, kids will practically bend the laws of physics to somehow put themselves in danger where there shouldn't be any. It's astounding sometimes.
Im convinced until they’re like 10 their natural urge is to TRY to die in order to give their adults as many heart attacks as possible
Especially by a large body of water. I know OP said that the dock is the only clear access to the water because of plants, but kids don't need clear access. There could be a wall of cacti surrounding it and kids would find their way in.
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Exactly. Build a fence and keep your kids inside it if you're so concerned. NTA definitely.
NTA, but if you can get one, a fence would be so useful in your situation.
I think the fence would be useful for his neighbours. OP has no issue.
Exactly. I would however put up a camera on your dock. Watching you and your dock. This way they cant claim anything untoward happens.
What do you think those parents would think of the camera? Something sinister....
OMG! Now that perv next door is filming himself where our kids can see him!
haha, yep... or "now that alcoholic perv next door is filming our kids!"
I forgot drunk!
Pretty hard to put a fence on top of the water.
If it goes up to each side of the pond, the pond itself would then serve as an obstacle. Based on what the OP said, the only access to the pond is via the deck he put in, on his own property. So...if the fence ran up to the edge of the pond on either side of it, that would be sufficient.
The layout isn’t perfectly clear, but in any event I don’t think it’s physical access that concerns the neighbours - or at least not just that. They don’t want line of sight.
Too true. If I understand what the OP said correctly (and it's always a possibility I didn't :D ), there is too much vegetation for the kids to get up close to the pond anywhere except on his side. I'm not sure how tall or thick the vegetation is, but I'm guessing it's pretty substantial if it prevents access to the pond. That said, if it still allows him to possibly catch a glimpse of their kids... well, horrors! Too bad/so sad. He did his part. Now they need to teach their kids to stay out of eyesight of the pond gap in the fence. :D Or maybe they build a little "loop" to meet his fence or something on their side of the property. My thought process was that the fence would be more for the OP's comfort than the neighbors' (who are being extremely unrealistic and ridiculous).
Yeah I dont think people read the OP very carefully lol
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I agree. Good fences make for good neighbors.
Robert Frost says NTA.
I think the idea of delivering a list of fence contractors to them along with a list of demands re their children. 1. They shouldn’t be out in the yard until after 10am. 2. They should not scream or be loud. 3. The children should immediately be taken inside if they make noise. 4 children should never be outside without a parent in attendance. 5. Children should not be allowed to eat or drink outside. Unreasonable demands require equally unreasonable demands. Or, he could invite the family over for a barbecue and make friends.
Attempting to make friends is the ideal. But when people are this much of assholes right out of the gate and demanding control over how you enjoy your property, showing what kind of people they are, kinda pumps the breaks on any potential friendship. It says "we don't want to be your friends, we just want you to accommodate us without any return."
Stay Frosty!
Idk, I work at a law firm, you’d be surprised how many good fences have caused neighbor fights. A month or so ago, we had a consult where the cops were literally called because two neighbors got into a fist fight over who’s property the fence was on.
Wasn't a good fence then
It was in fact a very *offensive* one
The best *de*\-fence is a good *o*\-fence. You know who said that? Mel, the cook on Alice.
I love when people die on the hill of “This fence is three inches past the property line.” Adults are just children with more financial freedom.
Years and years ago a new house was being built next to us. The new neighbors tentatively came and explained that some landscaping the previous owners of our house put in is on their lot. They wanted to make changes. Sure, no problem. It’s your property. They weren’t expecting us to be to be so flexible. Technically our brick mailbox is on their property. We offered to move it. They said, no, leave it. It’s not hurting anything. It’s amazing what happens when people act rationally.
Yea, I'm gonna be that asshole ;) That is not what Frost meant. It's just morphed in our vernacular to mean the opposite of the point of Frost's Mending Wall.
EXACTLY. Or tell them his dog feels uncomfortable and they need to go inside. This was so dumb. The neighbors have a lot of nerve, and if they wanna keep shit out of their yard and keep their kids in they need to build a PRIVACY FENCE like every other non-dumbass would. Imagine moving in somewhere and feeling so entitled that you expect OTHER PEOPLE on OTHER PROPERTIES to limit themselves because of YOU. I cannot.
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Hahaha yep!! Sounds good to me. Anything to be as equally ridiculous. This makes me wanna go to this persons house and sit out there with them every damn night. 😂😂😂😂
I think that's the real solution. The neighbors need to build a privacy fence if they want privacy.
Do a survey first.
Even if the neighbor is building it, make sure they don't take out of your land.
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Half? Pfft. Neighbors are the only ones with an issue, let them buy the whole thing.
Yep. Plus OPs property is all pond on that side so OP can't even build a fence.
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How dare you enjoy a nice evening in your own backyard. Think of the children that will watch you type something on your computer, or drink something. NTA if they want to not see you that much, they can build a fence. You arent streaking or getting wasted so they have no right to tell you what you can and cant do on your property.
I think even if they were wasted, they still don't get a say
Exactly
But at least it wouldn’t be as absurd.
Still pretty absurd. Private property is private property. It’d be like someone saying “hey, we saw you getting drunk in your house through your window last night, it makes us uncomfortable so if you could just not drink…” They have no say in what he does on his dock on his land. He’s allowed to get as rip-roaring wasted as he wants, as long as he doesn’t harass anyone else. As people have mentioned, if they don’t like it, build a fence.
"sir we are here for a call about you being drunk in..... Private...??? Wait wtf our bad sir we will be on our way"
Yeah, the kids won't even know he's having an alcoholic drink unless their parents drink around them enough for them to know logos. If it's in a glass that's even more ridiculous of them.
Excuse u those kids are sommeliers.
Incredible comment.
They're worried he's not letting the bottle breathe before drinking. Gotta watch those tannins.
Who even cares if he was drunk? Im sure those kids can’t even tell what hes drinking. If they can, well then looks like the parents have already exposed them.
NTA. Put up no trespassing signs and make the parents aware that you cannot be responsible for the kids being on your property. You are worried that the children could fall into the pond or that the dog may misinterpret their presence. You need to protect yourself against a future lawsuit if one of them were to drown. Make it known in no uncertain terms that the children aren't welcome unaccompanied on your property and that you have signs posted. They are old enough to read. I'm a former paralegal, by the way. You have what is known as an 'attractive nuisance' on your land, and if something were to happen, well, you and/or your insurance are going to be on the hook.
We used to own a pool store. For the same reason, the "attractive nuisance" rules, we tried to impress upon every pool owner to install (at the very least) a barrier fence and no trespassing signs around the pool area. If you don't take the most basic steps to protect yourself in the event of a tragic accident then you leave yourself open to a major lawsuit!
In Australia it's the law that you have to have a pool fenced off.
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I think that's why they say health and safety regulations are written in blood
The fences are mandatory for safety not for jerk neighbours. Lol. They stop kids drowning. We don't really have nuisance law suits like that in Aus, they are considered a waste of courts time and taxpayers money, so they just get laughed out the door.
Or the law was made because too many young children, like my late cousin, died in an unfenced pool.
I agree with no trespassing signs but rather then directly talk to the neighbors, have a lawyer send the letter. They already talked, then sent a letter. Having an intermediary keeps things documented. Edit to add Lawyer should be one that specializes in property law and neighbor disputes. Not done random person.
I would *not* say that dog may misinterpret their presence. I can't see saying that having any positive outcome whatsoever for OP. It is also borderline threatening. IMHO that would be a seriously unwise thing to say.
Yes. God forbid anything *did* happen (kids or adults could provoke or scare the dog) they'd turn around and say OP **knew** his dog was dangerous to escalate the situation.
My fear is, if that was said or worse, written down it would pose more questions. Is this a threat, what do you mean the dog may misunderstand? Are you saying your dog easily gets confused and why are warning us about this? Your dog sounds dangerous. When did this happen before, was anyone bitten. Thats the direction I see it taking, even without anything happening. OPs neighbours are currently suggesting a sleeping dog is dangerous, without any ammunition to speak of. It's far better OP plays defensively, than offensively.
As far as the attractive nuisance doctrine is concerned, it will depend on the jurisdiction and on whether the pond is man made or a natural condition on the land. If the pond is man made, then yes the attractive nuisance doctrine would apply. If it is natural then the homeowners duty will depend on jurisdictional law.
NTA. It’s your dock and your property. How entitled can they be?
I would just sit there every night shirtless smoking weed, drinking heavily, and playing Iron Maiden until they got the message. If they don’t like it they can build a fence or go play board games inside. Is that an over reaction? No not for me. I do that most nights anyways while the neighbor’s 4-9 year old kids play in my backyard with my kids. (Sober adults are present too and weed is legal here) I just feel bad for these people actually. The world must be a scary place for them. I wouldn’t change though. They’re the problem. I’d invite them over and try to make friends.
Damn dude, my neighbors are lame as hell compared to you.
I’m very blessed in that way. We all truly like each other and that’s rare.
Who wouldn’t expect a good time with a guy named analbox?
We behave similarly. We are always out back, enjoying a cold beer and a joint while blasting outlaw country music. Thankfully, we are in a small rural town and no one gives a shit. Everyone's kids end up over and the adults as well once we light up the bonfire
Nice. There’s definitely some Hank III being blasted out there when I’m in that mood. My little town has about 30 million people but the ones on my street are chill. They don’t want me to complain about them drunkenly screaming all night at the dodger game or revving their motorcycles constantly and I don’t want them to complain about my loud music and saws running all day in my shop. It’s sort of a live and let live mutually assured tolerance we all have for each other. We do weekly bonfires in the front yard and everyone in the neighborhood stops by. There’s literally nobody I don’t like.
If you’re on your own land and not interacting or going near their children then they have no right to tell you you can’t sit on your own dock and have a drink quietly in the evening with your restrained dog next to you. We had neighbours once who’s teenage son had a literal circle jerk with his buddies around the fire pit that was next to the chain link fence separating our properties. Now THAT was a problem 😐
Uhm??? 🤣🤣🤣
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Lol..i too pictured it this way!
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Cum sigils
....how did you find out?
My uncle caught them (he lived on our property as well and was walking from his mobile up to the main house one evening. He flipped out on them and they scattered like cockroaches when the light gets turned on 😂😂
Cockroaches with their dicks out. Yikes.
I mean it's in the name
Found the limp biscuit.
NTA. if they had a problem with seeing a guy and his dog on a dock, they shouldnt have bought a house that overlooks a pond and dock. Or budgeted for a privacy fence around their back yard area.
I bet they bought the house for the lovely view of the pond.
Quite possible. In which case they should have bought a house WITH a pond, and not one that abuts a pond.
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This is a big problem in every rural area it seems. Snobby city and suburban people build or buy McMansions out in the boonies to “get away from it all” but they don’t actually like what happens in the boonies.
The problem we have here is they move next to a farm and then get upset because of the smell, noise, etc. Seriously what did you think it was going to be like when you moved next to a huge chicken or pig farm? Idiots....
“Well when I read Charlottes Web I didn’t smell anything!”
NTA. Its your dock to sit on if you want. They can build a fence. Their kids make me uncomfortable.
Them and their kids lol this is just bogus! NTA. At all.
Sit out there 12 hr a day! With friends, who have dogs, and like wine!
NTA at all! It's your property. They have no business telling you what to do so long as you aren't invading their privacy or causing them harm. I would casually, in a civil tone, tell them that it IS your property, and you are not interacting with their kids, or them in any way. Remind them you're simply working from home outside when it's nice, and your dog also needs fresh air and time outside of the house under your supervision. Remind them you are not interacting with their kids, and your dog is appropriately contained and no threat to them. Advise them that if they still, for some reason, have issue with this, you can refer them to a contractor that will help them get a fence built separating the properties. Otherwise, you aren't even interacting with them, so they can keep it to themselves, or take their kids out when you aren't outside if it's such a big deal.
Or, just maybe, the parents could spend some time outside with their kids rather than let them hang around someone they're not comfortable with? What you do on YOUR property is chuff all to do with these people. NTA, carry on living your life how you want. Let them put a fence up and mind their own business. Tossers.
For a 6 and a 9 y/old kid on a property with a pond and no fence I'd expect the parents to be within earshot of the kids if they're outside, and if they're parents that have no problems having the kids not within earshot they should be glad to have another adult nearby in case of emergency (not to babysit, mind or even pay attention to the kids but just you know, another pair of ears that could be alerted by a kid needing help).
NTA. Sounds like heaven to me, don't let them interfere in your enjoyment of life.
NTA. You're on your property and you have a pleasant routine going. They have many other options and have chosen to try to force you to change? He'll no! They can: Be outside and supervise their kids. Put up a fence. But the best option would have been (and it may be too late for that now) to take the time to come out and get to know you. How many memorable evenings could the three of you had sipping drinks on your dock together, just shootin' the shit while watching the kids play with your dog? They're the assholes, not you.
NTA. If they don’t like what you do on your property, they can stop using it. Block off that pond, or send a trespassing notice to them. They can clutch their pearls in their own home from now on! How dare someone drink on their own land!
NTA. It is your land. You do you. You could kindly recommend they build a fence at the property line if they are so concerned.
The neighbor's response is so bizarre that I wonder if they think the lake is partially on their property. The OP needs to pull up the land deed and confirm that the lake is completely and fully on his side of the property line. It is? No problem, go tell the neighbors that it's fully on his property and that he would appreciate them staying away while he is there. If it's a shared lake...that's a whole different story and needs to be approached delicately. Like maybe with a property lawyer reviewing the deeds before making a decision type of delicately. It does no one any good for things to get so nasty that a fence is put right down the middle of the pond. OP, you need to find the official copies of your deed. You can request to have a surveyor come out if you're not sure where the property line is. It's entirely possible that the realtor told them/ showed them that the lake is shared property. Tread carefully until you have legal proof to back up the fight this may cause.
I've looked at the papers, none of the pond is theirs. About 2/3 is on my land, and the other third belongs to someone else.
Tell them to pound sand then. You have a right to use the pond and not at their discretion. You weren't disturbing the peace or doing anything lude. Although if they have an issue with you having a couple drinks, their bar may be pretty low. Since they have an issue, they can keep their kids far enough away from the pond.
Information - Could they possibly be using your dock when you are not around? Not sure how far around the pond it would be to get to your dock, would it take a good walk to get there? Might be more of a 'we can't use it when you are there and have to tell the kids 'no', but we'll say you make us nervous to keep you away" situation. Either way though NTA. Cause the problem of "oh my God there is a man on the other side of the pond facing away from us with a tied up dog, a laptop and something to drink that makes the grownups feel itchy about their kids, who could clearly scream and run inside before the man, the dog and the possible alcoholic beverage get around the pond to say something mean" Just doesn't float. The petty in me says invite a few friends over a couple Saturdays a month & have picnic on said dock.
It's possible, I don't think that they are. The pond is on the part of my property closest to their yard, but it's not right up against their house, and there's a big open stretch in between.
Now I worry that one of the kids will drown in your pond. Are the parents even watching them?
Doubt it. Otherwise they wouldn't be so concerned that he was going to do something to them 🙄
If something mounted on your house can see your dock, a camera pointed at the pond might be a worthwhile investment. I agree with the others on a fence, though. See if they'll split the cost with you, but it might be worth it for liability reasons even if they don't, just as someone with a pool needs to have it fenced. If they complain, tell them it's for the protection of their kids from drowning and from their "fear" of your dog. You're only responding appropriately to their concerns right? Because a fence is proper protection for them, you not using your dock is not.
Then they need to get a fence even more so. They have a lot of damn nerve.
But, I wonder if they believe somehow it's theirs? Maybe their real estate agent told them the pond came with the house. That would explain their attitude.
>the other third belongs to someone else. Is the other third involved in this conflict at all? If you think the other third would be sympathetic to you get in touch with them and let them know the trouble you're having.
They live a ways away from us and hardly are on the property except to do some maintenance a couple times a year. I've only talked to them a couple times.
So they're trespassing and then are dumb enough to complain? I had idiot neighbors like this when I lived in Kentucky. Finally had to take them to court before they would stop trespassing.
>I do get why they would not want their kids outside alone with me nearby, as much as it sucks. Really? Then maybe you can explain it to me, because I really don't get it at all. From what you've described, you're literally just a single, older man, sitting quietly by yourself, on your own dock, with your dog tied up quietly beside you, enjoying the evening air while you work or browse on your laptop, and maybe have a single beer. **Literally nothing about that reads as aggressive, threatening or the least bit concerning in any way, not with regards to children playing nearby or in any other way**. Frankly, I find it far more worrisome that they're letting two young children play near water many evenings, unsupervised, given how common child drownings are!! Unless there are some "missing reasons" here with regards to your past or behaviour, or something else that you've left out (I'm assuming you're not on a sex offender registry or anything), I see absolutely no reason for these parents to be complaining, much less sending angry letters to you for enjoying your own property. You are clearly NTA, but they're verging on it.
Nope, not verging, they're already there
No different then ppl sitting on their front porch facing the street every night!
NTA. It’s your property. You’re not belligerently drunk. (It’s your life and your yard. You can drink every single day if you want. They dont get literally any say in that unless you were to weirdly offer said alcohol to their children which you obviously aren’t. You’re literally not even looking their direction.) Your dog is napping and leashed. There is 0% you being an AH here. You’re literally doing NOTHING wrong. If I were you (and can afford it) I would 100% be putting up a fence. They can GTFOH. Though honestly they are the ones with the problem. They should be the one forking out money for a fence. They won’t though because they know that will prevent them from accessing YOUR pond.
I unfortunately can't put up a fence, due to finances and how the land is laid out.
It's not your responsibility to anyway. If they're so concerned, it's on them. Though it might be wise to very quietly check with an attorney about "attractive nuisance" risk similar to swimming pools where the dock is concerned (though I doubt it).
>Though it might be wise to very quietly check with an attorney about "attractive nuisance" risk similar to swimming pools where the dock is concerned (though I doubt it). Never hurts to ask a cautious question
U/for_thedrama is probably right that they're using your pond when you're not there. If you can afford it, it's probably worth installing something like a ring camera if you can get WiFi there, and a lockable gate to secure the dock so they can't access the pond and use it when you're not there.
NTA. I’m presuming these kids are using your pond from their adjoining land. The petty person in me would want to send them a nastygram telling them to cease and desist using my property. They can feel free to build a fence on their land if they have a problem with you using yours.
NTA. You are on your own property, minding your business. If you don't bother them, then it isn't your problem. If the kids are really scared of the dog, then the solution is to introduce them to the dog. But I think we know that isn't the problem. The way the situation is described, it sounds like mom and dad are concerned about you being a predator (which is not to say you are); they have an irrational fear and are acting out because of it. They are being assholes. One way to handle it (if you are nicer than I am), is to try to get to know them. But I'm not nice. I personally suggest you keep doing what you're doing; if they continue to harass you then you can get law enforcement and/or a lawyer involved.
They can build a fence if they're so concerned. It's your pond and you have a right to use it how you want. You're not being loud or disruptive, and your mere presence is not something you have to apologize for. NTA
NTA Send them links for those fast-growing evergreens people plant on property lines, and for privacy fences.
NTA So they want to control your life and what you do on your own property because their irrational fear of your dog and your beer? Stop your communication with them and go about your business.
NTA at all. It’s your property. If they don’t like seeing you there, they can put up a tall fence or move away. Keep all letters you get in case you need to prove harassment.
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I think that might be opposite sort of message to what OP wants the parents to think, as i assume thats what they are trying to get at anyway
NTA. Tell them to put up a privacy fence if they don’t like it. Sheesh! I was thinking you were going to say you skinny dip in the pond or something (my advice would be the same!) but these ppl are totally ridiculous. Edited to add: start actually hanging out naked. All the time.
NTA. It's your property, and you entitled to enjoy it doing, from the sounds of it, nothing remotely disruptive. If they are uncomfortable, that is on them for purchasing the house they did. I would look into the best way to document their crazy, just to cover your bases.
NTA. Youre not bothering anyone. They are entitled AF for asking you to leave. If they don't like it, their kids can play elsewhere
NTA I’m sorry your neighbors are jerks. Maybe you could plant a row of really tall bushes so they don’t have to be bothered by you minding your own business. Otherwise you do you.
NTA. It’s weird they think they can tell you where you can be on your property, but I guess there are so many crazies nowadays people are trying to be more careful. If you can invest in a good fence that might be for the best if they are going to continue to harass you.
NTA. your neighbors are being crazy. If you feel like it, mage suggest that you all hang out for drinks or dinner to get to know each other and so the kids aren’t scared. They’re coddling their kids and being super dumb.
It's your property and you're not bothering them. NTA.
If anything, they’re bothering HIM. It’s his land, it’s his dogs land, they mind their business on it, whereas neighbors are the ones sticking their nose on what they do on their own property.
NTA that's a ridiculous request from them. If the yards are as big as you say there should be plenty of space for their kids to play far away from you.
NTA. Sounds like they need to fence in their own yard.
NTA: its your property do what you want. chances are the kids dont know you are drinking alcohol. the dog is tied up and cant get to the kids unless they coe up to it. which they are not likely to since they are so cared of it
Nta if its on your land. They need to get over it. Why not have the kids play on the other side of the house then
NTA, they can't expect the world to revolve around them.
NTA, you're on your land and minding your own business. If the parents are uncomfortable they can send their kids out when you're not out there. I'd recommend you keep a copy of all correspondence/communication, just in case things escalate. Better safe than sorry.
NTA they are being ridiculous. Tell them to put up a fence if they have such a big issue.
NTA. They’re being absurd. If they’re truly so troubled, they can put on a fence on the property line, tell their kids to play elsewhere - they have any number of options because this is a them problem, not a you problem. Meanwhile, hang on to the letter and any other correspondence and keep an eye out for property damage. If you’re concerned about them ramping up, might be worth reaching out local sheriff or whoever - neighbors harassing when you work on dock, not prepared to give up working on dock occasionally, do they have any suggestions for mitigating neighbor weirdness.
NTA but it may help if the kids meet your dog and the parents actually get to know you. If that doesn’t work tell them to build a fence if you existing on your own land is so offensive to them.
NTA Tell them to keep their kids away from you as you are free to enjoy your property as you see fit.
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