Having a swimming pool in a neighborhood can be a coveted thing.
But not everyone can afford to have one nor do they always have the space.
The sizez can vary from large to small, but no matter what they can be expensive to maintain.
A story shared on Reddit by a woman has sparked an online debate about neighborly boundaries and the use of a swimming pool.
The woman, who remains unnamed, and her husband, both 26, live in a modest starter home with a relatively large backyard.
This space became a point of contention with a neighbor, who often let her four young children, all under the age of 10, play in their yard without seeking permission.
The issue came to a head when the couple returned from a hiking trip to find the neighbor’s children in their yard, with bikes and toys strewn about.
The woman returned the toys and politely requested that the neighbor’s children refrain from playing in her yard.
The neighbor apologized, explaining she was grateful for the chance to clean her house while the kids were outside.
However, the situation escalated when the neighbor approached the woman while she was gardening.
The neighbor inquired if her children could use the woman’s pool,.
The woman, uncomfortable with the idea, declined the request, even though the neighbor offered to supervise.
The neighbor appeared to understand and did not press further.
Many pool owners can relate to the magnetic attraction their pools have for neighborhood kids.
They often feel that the pool, which they purchased for their own family’s enjoyment, shouldn’t be freely accessible to others, especially unsupervised children.
The investment in the pool was for their family’s pleasure, not as a community resource.
The woman thought the matter was settled until she came across a post on her neighborhood’s Facebook group.
The neighbor had written a post expressing disappointment in the community’s lack of support for children during these challenging times.
She lamented the absence of a friendly, communal spirit, particularly towards children needing space to play and grow.
Convinced the post was about her, the woman responded with a sharp comment: “Maybe you should have gotten a house with a bigger yard if your kids want to play.”
This led to a text from the neighbor expressing hurt over the comment, to which the woman responded by asking for privacy.
The Reddit post detailing this saga garnered over a thousand comments, with opinions divided.
Some sided with the woman, asserting her right to privacy and control over her property.
Others criticized her for lacking neighborly compassion, suggesting that not everyone can afford a house with a large yard and that her comment was classist.
A few commenters believed the neighbor was within her rights to ask about using the pool, especially since she offered to supervise.
They pointed out that such requests might be normal in some communities.
However, they also agreed that the woman’s refusal was a reasonable response.
The debate continues, with opinions split on who was in the right in this neighborhood dispute over a swimming pool and yard.
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