People Love Talking About These 'Am I The Jerk?' Stories

"I live on a private drive containing three homes and have been dealing with parents and their children's issues for over the past 3 years. Many of the issues deal with the children using the private drive as a playground and trespassing into my property, neighbors' properties, and the parents' allowing this behavior. Parents and children also block access to the private drive daily on school days in the mornings and afternoons when I am typically leaving and returning for work. It can sometimes take a few minutes for the parents and waiting children to move for me to enter and exit my property. Parents and children (over 12 parents and around 25 children) also typically spend 30 minutes or over an hour (more of a problem in the afternoon) using the private drive as a playground. Which I find concerning since my and neighbors am legally responsible for private driving and worry about possible accidents or injuries. Also, in years past we’ve had multiple problems with the children using our garage door as a football and soccer goal but seemed to have worked those issues out with the parents in past years. Another issue is the end-of-the-year massive water balloon party that the parents throw for the children… I’ve tried talking with parents a few times over the years about not using the private drive as a standing point and playground but have been mostly ignored. Again I tried talking to parents yesterday and was told that "I was ruining their children's childhoods" by asking that they not use the private drive as a playground and that they will continue to do as they please. Earlier in the week I reached out to the bus coordinator and they have moved the pickup and drop off further back but this has not fixed any of the issues. I reached out by email to the school’s principal this morning. I don’t want to involve local law enforcement but after yesterday's interaction with the parents if it continues this afternoon I will strongly be considering it. Curious to see if I’m the jerk here and what people think I should do. Gates and signs are prohibited by our HOA." Another User Comments: "NTJ The safety of the children first and foremost, but also for the property owners and their potential liability and damage to their property is at hand. In a singular email reach back to the bus coordinator, the school superintendent, the school principal, chief of police and voice your concerns and your request for the movement of this bus stop to a location that does not hinder the use of your property, that does not put you and your neighbors in jeopardy for any injuries sustained by children using properties unauthorized and puts the children in danger. Do not ask, DEMAND that this be changed as the parents have not heeded your requests. Then follow up every 2 days until you get satisfaction." Chilling_Storm Another User Comments: "NTJ. Ruining their childhoods? Please lol. You have made multiple attempts to nicely communicate with the parents and they are purposely ignoring and disrespecting you. Maybe I’m petty, but at this point, I would buy sprinklers and set them to go off at pick-up and drop-off times. The fact that they *ever* let their children use your garage door as a soccer goal is insane to me." NarwhalAdditional340 Another User Comments: "NTJ. You were right to involve the school administration to start. That should help them take this seriously…if not, you should have law enforcement present one morning to speak to the parents and warn them of the repercussions of their trespassing. Not only are they immensely entitled and setting a bad example for their kids, they are creating legal liability for you." No_Glove_1575