Neighbours looking over fences

I think that's anti-social. We've done the same as you and have grown bamboo against the section of fence that's a tad too low between our house and next door ... and when we go out, we pull our blind down on the window next to the walk-through by the side of our house (we're an end terrace too). I mean, it's simple privacy isn't it?

Are you in the garden when they do this or are you in the house? If you're in the garden I would suggest starting a conversation - take the appearance of their son as a sign from them that they want to enter into chit-chat. This will either put them off as they'll feel awkward or encourage them to be more friendly and maybe you won't mind so much?

The neighbours are holding their son up to look over your garden fence? I'd be like err what you doing!

We have 6ft fences either side of us (semi detatched) but probably 3 or 4ft on the left by our house rather than grass end, as we have raised decking. The lady next door is elderly and we help her out with shopping etc since her husband died, so we don't mind her peering in, but it's in a non intrusive way.

Ok, so it's not jsut me being overly sensitive. It's v odd.

We're normally in the garden but nearer the house so we'd have to shout a bit to start up a conversation with them, and errr, I don't really want to. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to chat to them on the drive etc but I want my garden to be private.

That's just strange. There isn't anything like a rabbit or something down the bottom of the garden they could be showing him?

I keep seeing into nextdoors garden but only because the wall is low and it's hard not to see when I'm hanging my washing out!

Not that I know of. I can't get down there, it's blocked with loads if old wood & rubble. They have to hold him right up against the fence to see over. I suppose the cat might be around but I don't think he goes there either.

They don't do it to their neighbours on the other side though. Just us.

I would wait til I bumped into them out front or whatever, then say 'oh, I have been meaning to ask if there is anything living at the bottom of my garden? I have seen you lift xxxx up to look at something a few times, but I can't get down there to look due to the wood and rubble..'

or something. then if they say 'no' I would give them a puzzled look and say 'riiiiiight, so why do you keep lifting him up to look into my garden then??'

Might make them re think it!

Razor wire? ONLY JOKING!!

Thats odd! I'd have to ask them what was down there that was so interesting!

We have 6ft fence but where the decking is it's raised and as it's at the top of the garden we can easilly see into out neighbours house. We pout screens up on the worst bit and are growing bamboo and climbing roses to try and give them more privacy but we spoke to them about it and they don't really care.

Can you hide down there and when they do it again, jump up and yell 'boo'. that'll learn 'em.?

Hmm I have to say I don't really find it that odd.. Unless it happens every day for ages at a time! That would be odd but if its just the odd few minutes here and there I don’t really see that as strange but then I do have a very nosey and inquisitive toddler who wants to know, if she cannot see over a wall/fence etc that I can what I can see.

It could just be that. It really wouldn’t bother me either tbh (unless as earlier stated it was for ages at a time and every day!)

WSS

I like this idea!!

Next time you spot them doing it i'd go and ask what it is they're looking at (in a friendly sort of a way). I

Get a water pistol

The solution to so many of life's problems ?

W Bubbly S

It wouldn't bother me to be honest. I would just say hello.

Can he see anyone else's garden from there? Maybe he is looking across to something else...

sounds like the toddler wants to be friends with your little girl. i dont see the problem, why dont you start up a conversation with him? my toddler spends hours at a time talking with the next door neighbours toddler- its a lifesaver when i need to get things done in the house!

its not its the adults peering over the fence (which i would find weird) but holding up a toddler in order to see another child sounds ok with me. they can probably hear you playing in the garden.