WIBTA For planting prickly bushes in my front yard to keep the neighbours kids from my property?

A Redditor is struggling with their neighbors’ young children constantly trespassing on their property and disturbing their work-from-home routine. Despite polite requests to keep the kids away, the neighbors seem unfazed, leaving the Redditor feeling frustrated and considering planting prickly bushes along the edge of their yard as a deterrent. They wonder if this would make them the jerk or if it’s a fair way to reclaim their space. Read their full story below.

‘ WIBTA For planting prickly bushes in my front yard to keep the neighbours kids from my property?’

The article has the next update at the end.

A few months ago, I relocated to a standalone townhouse. It’s a rental, and my lease is for one year, with the chance to renew for another year or potentially purchase the property. My driveway, which can accommodate two standard-sized vehicles, is adjacent to my neighbor’s. Approximately halfway down my driveway, there’s a pathway that encircles my house. My house is on one side of the path, and on the other side, there’s around 3 meters of yard space that belongs to me.

Ever since I relocated here, I’ve struggled with my neighbors’ habit of using my driveway as their own. They park, turn their vehicles around, keep their belongings, play games, and more. Simply requesting them to stop and keep their things on their land was ineffective, so I placed some sizable plants, put in a camera, and put up a “no trespassing” sign. That seemed to discourage them somewhat, and at least the cars are no longer there.

The past several weeks of “sheltering in place” have led to me telecommuting, however, the noise level created by the neighborhood children makes it difficult. These two young boys, ages 5 and 7, repeatedly ring my doorbell throughout the day, asking to play with my dog, me, or anything else that comes to mind. After my request that they cease this behavior so I can work was ignored, I spoke with their parents, who informed me that boys will be boys and refused to intervene.

To maintain my peace of mind, I took out the doorbell’s battery. However, they now constantly dash around my front lawn, the path surrounding the house, hitting my windows and doors. This morning, they even attempted to unlock the gate to my backyard after hearing me inside. I reiterated my request for them to stop and informed them that their access to playing with the dog would be permanently revoked if this behavior persisted. They then left, sending their father in their place.

I told him to keep the boys away from my property and door, if not, I’ll be planting some prickly bushes to teach them to stay away from other people’s property and shut the door in his face.. ​. WIBTA if I actually did that?. ​
I’d love to place a fence or something, but as it may be a short term rental I have to be able to return everything in it’s original state for now.

Next update: https://aita.pics/zmYsi

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

awaysaway23 −  NTA – their parents are lazy and sound like they just want to make you a free babysitter. “Boys will be boys” smh.

Mirianda666 −  NTA. These parents are jerks. Be petty and install a motion-sensor that sets off a sprinkler system.

nkdeck07 −  NTA and don’t plant bushes, call the damn cops. Also there are no dig fence panels that would work perfectly for your situation.You also might want to contact the landlord and see if they are willing to install a fence. I am a landlord and I wouldn’t want random kids coming onto the property and would be very willing to help out.

Master-Manipulation −  NTA. But the better idea would be to call the non-emergency number for the police and ask an officer to come down to talk to the kids and the parents, plus issue them a warning. Sometimes you need a figure of authority to explain things in order to have your needs met.

PEST1LENCE_77 −  NTA big spikey ones. Maybe even cacti.

ketita −  NTA. The parents are lazy and not bothering to parent. You deserve to live hassle-free.

Destroya923 −  NTA – You know what those parents and those bushes have in common? They both have little pricks. Ok, that was my little joke, not a really good one but whatever. Seriously, those parents seriously need to keep their kids under control. They shouldn’t be running around on your property bothering you and banging on the windows and s**t. The parents are definitely at fault for this. You definitely wouldn’t be the a**hole for this, it’s your property.

rattus-domestica −  NTA are you f**king kidding? This would drive me f**king insane. You haven’t called the cops yet? Isn’t this trespassing?

Idejbfp −  NTA but stop giving them anything and don’t allow them to play with your dog. If they get rewards they’ll keep doing it.

[Reddit User] −  The only assholes are the parents for not teaching their kids respect. Boys will be boys but parents should be parents abd teaching them how to be a man as they grow up.
Plant them. You’ve already given warning they’d be there, if they get hurt beyond this point because they trespassed on your property you can’t really be blamed imo.. Good luck and stay safe.