I Let The Neighbor Kids Swim Once And Now They See It As An Open Invitation: Block Talk

Your swimming pool is your sanctuary. You pay for the chlorine, shock treatments and other chemicals. It’s you paying the higher homeowner insurance premiums for the “attractive nuisance” you’ve created in your back yard.

What would you do if this happened?

As a nice gesture on an insufferably hot summer day, you gave in to the neighbor kid who wanted to take a dip in your pool. You thought it was a one-off. You also didn’t expect the kid to show up with a couple of friends.

But why not? It was hot. So you hauled out the pool towels, floaties and goggles and did what you thought was a nice thing for some neighborhood kids. Everyone had fun. You told yourself it was all good.

And it was, until it wasn’t.

The kids came back the next day. Some of them brought their parents. Not only did they not bring towels, but they also didn’t return the ones you’d sent them home with the day before. You gave in one more time and had a party of about 10 splashing in your pool because you didn’t want to appear unneighborly.

And even though you’ve said “no” every way possible, the kid who started it all keeps asking to swim.

What’s the best way to tell neighborhood kids, or anyone, they can’t use your pool?

We’re asking for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column. Just fill out the survey below. As always, we don’t collect email addresses.

About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com with Block Talk as the subject line.

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