Man Builds Pool But Doesn't Want Neighborhood Kids There Without Their Parents, Wife Says He Is Worrying Too Much

A 28-year-old woman refused to let the neighborhood kids treat her backyard pool like it was a public splash zone, and it kicked off a whole Reddit saga. This wasn’t about a tantrum or a mean streak, it was about one neighbor kid asking to swim, then showing up without the one person OP said had to be there.

OP built the pool, there was still some work to finish, and he told the kid he could swim only if he came with his mom. The kid agreed, then came back alone anyway. OP was understandably uneasy, but his wife brushed it off, which is where the tension really started to simmer.

Now OP is stuck wondering if he’s worrying too much, or if his “no mom, no swim” rule is the only thing keeping this from turning into a liability nightmare.

OP asks:

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OP built a pool and there is still some work around it to be done. A neighbor kid saw it and asked OP if he could take a swim. OP agreed, but only if he came with his mom.

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The kid came back, but alone. OP was worried, but his wife said it would be okay.

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OP’s “come with your mom” rule felt simple, until the kid returned alone after asking permission to take a swim.

Establishing boundaries is critical in shared spaces, especially when it involves children.

OP posted some edits:

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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a-hole:

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It is a private, not a community pool.

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OP’s wife said it would be okay, even as OP was thinking about what happens if anything goes wrong around a pool that still has work left to do.

This is a lot like the WIBTA fight over refusing to feed the betta fish, where a neighbor is pushing the rules in Neighbor Drama: Refusing to Feed Betta Fish.

To navigate concerns about children in shared spaces, effective communication is key.org'>Lives in the Balance website, proactive engagement from parents about their children's activities fosters a more cooperative neighborhood dynamic.

OP has to think of liability if anything happened to this child.

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This Redditor is also concerned about legal implications in case someone gets injured.

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OP should definitely fence it.

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In his edits, OP doubled down on the fact it’s a private pool, not a community pool, and that fencing should be part of the plan.

The Psychological Impact of Parental Anxiety

Parental anxiety can significantly influence how families interact with their neighbors.

One Redditor had a similar problem.

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OP would like to have people over, but there would be some rules.

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The bottom line is:

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The neighborhood kid’s solo swim attempt is what pushed commenters to zero in on liability and why a homeowner should not become an accidental babysitter.

There's no doubt that OP's stance on his new pool usage is completely justified. Having a pool is not just about summer fun; it's a significant responsibility, with safety being the utmost concern.

Children, even older ones, should never be left unattended around a pool, not only for their own safety but also to protect the homeowner from potential liability issues. Furthermore, respecting a neighbor's private property and space is a basic social etiquette everyone should adhere to.

In this case, OP is not a babysitter, and his backyard isn't a public swimming pool. He is well within his rights to demand parental supervision for the neighborhood kid who wishes to use his pool.

The homeowner's apprehension about neighborhood kids swimming without parental supervision highlights the delicate balance between personal property rights and communal enjoyment. Open communication is key to navigating these issues, as it allows families to express their needs while fostering a sense of respect and understanding within the community. Ultimately, creating a harmonious environment relies on addressing individual concerns while nurturing a spirit of togetherness.

He might not be the problem, but his pool definitely is the kind of place that punishes “it’ll probably be fine” thinking.

Still unsure about setting rules with neighbors, check out what happened after the snake incident in this exotic pet-sitting dilemma.