Mom sets boundaries with neighborhood parents, refuses to let their kids play in her yard unsupervised: ‘I want my backyard go be peaceful’

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Oct 22, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Moving to a new neighborhood can feel a bit like transfering to a new school mid-year; everyone already knows each other, they all have inside jokes and unspoken rules, and you're just trying to figure out where you fit in. Except, in middle school you may have a teacher or guidance counselor to help guide you; in real life, you don't. Instead, your new neighborhood might be filled with families who all seem to share everything, from carpooling schedules to backyards, and you're just sort of expected to fall into line.

One new homeowner found herself in this situation. After moving in a neighborhood filled with kids, she quickly realized that her position in the community was already "the mom with the cool backyard," inherited from the previous homeowner. The issue is that she doesn't want to host half of the neighborhood every single day or be responsible for their safety. Now, a few of the parents are giving her the cold shoulder instead of welcoming her into the community, and she's left wondering if having boundaries makes her the bad guy (spoiler alert: it doesn't!)

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  • 01

    AITA not letting neighborhood kids play my backyard.

    GRE EAT
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  • 02
    We recently moved to a new house and the neighborhood is filled with kids. I have a newborn and my son is only 4, and the kids on the street are all around
    via u/Strange_Potato4326
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    the ages 5-9. Our backyard has a nice playset and trampoline, and the kids have mentioned how the little girl who used to live in this
    via u/Strange_Potato4326
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    house would have them over to play all the time. They all seem like nice kids and they all go to my sons school and always say hi, but it seems that all the
    via u/Strange_Potato4326
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    parents in the the kids just run around and play in their front and backyards unsupervised (which is fine, not judging). But every other day neighborhood let
    via u/Strange_Potato4326
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    these kids ask to play in our backyard and I always say no, because I don't want to host a bunch of kids in my yard, I want my backyard to be peaceful. But, it seems like that's struck a nerve
    via u/Strange_Potato4326
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    with some of the other parents on our street. I work from home and notice these moms either wfh or are stay at home moms.
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    I've gone out of my way to say hello, but they're very reserved towards me, but I see them all walk the neighborhood and hangout together. So I'm worried
    via u/Strange_Potato4326
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    they're mad that I'm not letting the kids in my backyard. Am I an asshole? I love that the kids enjoy playing outside, but my kids are
    via u/Strange_Potato4326
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    young and we have a very loud dog, and I don't want all of these kids in my backyard if I'm not back there.
    via u/Strange_Potato4326

  • This story is eerily similar to a childhood experience of mine; every time I'd go to my friend Rachel's house, we would play in her neighbor's yard because she had a swing set and seesaw. One day, without much explanation, she got rid of it, and we thought she was a total Mrs. Trunchbull for it. But now I'm starting to see her side, too.

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    Edit: thank you everyone for your responses; really appreciate it! I plan to give away the trampoline, and have started interacting
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    more with the kids by taking my child to the front yard and chalking, and they've joined in! It's been an easy way to introduce the kids. (:
    via u/Strange_Potato4326
  • 13
    toadog NTA. One injury and the "easy going" parents will slap an expensive lawsuit on you. Invest in a fence with a locked gate, and hang "no trespassing" signs. If
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    the parents are offended, tell them if they want their kids to play in your yard they have to be present themselves to supervise. Even then the liability would still be yours.
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    tomatojalapeno NTA. it's your yard you can do what you want. Also, it's a liability if one of them get injured on your trampoline. You could literally get sued
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    ReadMeDrMemory NAH. If nothing else, i would worry about your legal liability if anybody got seriously injured falling from the playset or
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    trampoline. (There's a chance that's a rationale your neighbors would accept, even if they're not lilkely to care about your desire for peace and quiet.) Your
    via u/ReadMeDrMemory
  • 18
    neighbors' standoffishness doesn't necessarily have anything to do with this issue. (though it might). They're old pals, you're still new.
    via u/ReadMeDrMemory
  • 19
    jillian512 NTA. Honestly I would give the trampoline to whatever neighbor wants it in their yard. It would be interesting to see if anyone takes it.
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  • 20
    dagwitch Brilliant idea. Trampolines are dangerous and need supervision. See which of the Moms wants to take that on...
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  • 21
    lemon_charlie NTA. Your backyard is part of your home and not a community playground. All it takes is for one kid to get hurt on your property and it all goes badly for everyone.
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    Strange_Potato4326 OP Agreed, that would be a nightmare
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    ASEA
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    Cheezburger Image 10566666496
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    t 72 HE
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Tags

relationship advice neighbors entitled parents married with children neighborhood neighborhood-drama relationships parenting raising kids mom parents
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