BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids I need your help with a letter to the editor!

Okay, here's the situation: some idiot breeder in my city decided to build a massive tree fort in his yard without getting the proper permits, and it is so big it partially blocks out his neighbour's view. The neighbour has complained and I think the city is deciding what to do, but this has created a mini-controversy.

And someone wrote to the paper today and just [censored] me off and now I want to respond. Here is what the idiot wrote:

To (Name), I'd like to say that we are all hoping you can save the ... tree fort you built for your sons. What sort of a killjoy would complain about a children's tree fort blocking her view? A neighbour is expected to exhibit a bit more understanding and tolerance. Are they parents? If not, the "difficult" attitude becomes understandable. All play is educational. A balanced childhood filled with fun and play leades to a balanced adult. And we certainly need more of those.

Signed, some idiot (a woman's name)
____
Not only does this [censored] me off because I hate people who disrespect the law and just expect everyone to go along with them, but also the obvious reasons re: the "difficult" attitude. ARGH. This letter made me furious. Any ideas???

I think the parent who built the tree fort is providing a bad example for his children...that rules don't apply and you can do whatever you want, no matter what effect it has on your neighbors. Maybe you could take it from that angle? A responsible parent would follow the rules and get the appropriate permits, and make sure that whatever they were building would not be in the way of their neighbors or become an eyesore in the neighborhood, therefore producing a good example for their children, which would in turn hopefully inspire them to become responsible, considerate adults.

Also, it just doesn't make sense that since someone is a parent, they can do whatever they want for their kids, and everyone else just has to deal with it. Since "all play is educational" would the woman who wrote that letter be okay with that guy's kids riding the bicycles through her yard, or playing on her property? I doubt that! She might even become "difficult" about it!

Cindy

Great points, Cindy.

I would add that the laws are there to protect everyone equally, and preserve everyone's property, views, and community. That's part of the price of living in a first world, democratic country. We can't just do what we want with no consideration for others, because we've "all" decided on the rules and laws.

It's not about having a "difficult attitude". It's about your right, enshrined in one of the oldest common laws in history, to the "quiet use and enjoyment" of your space and property. Whether you have children or not makes no difference - the law has no favourites, and people with children have no more rights than those without. The same rules would apply if they'd built a dog run, or a pig pen. Interestingly, though, parents seem to think otherwise...

Grrrrr. That letter pisses me off. I absolutely agree with Cindy's point...I was thinking the same thing that this person is not setting a good example for their child. Where's the "love thy neighbor" here? People are so selfish. Do write the letter. I think there are way more people who would be on our side on this one, since it is the law after all.

I agree. The letter writer seems to think that having kids makes this man above the rules. If he wanted to build a tree fort for his kids he should have gone through the proper channels like everyone else.

Jenn

I'm not sure where you live and what kind of view the neighbor's property has, but I'm sure if the tree fort is blocking her view, it's probably affecting her property value. I don't think this man has the right to bring the value of her property down simply because he wants his children to have a place to play. That's what parks are for.

Thanks, all!!!!

I've taken suggestions from pretty much each one of you, and fired off the following letter:

Re: letter, April 17, 2008: I�m not sure what world you are living in, but where I come from a parent needs to set a good example for his children, and this includes fostering a healthy respect for the law. No one is saying these children don�t have the right to play. This person�s fort is blocking the neighbour�s view, which could very easily affect the neighbour�s property value. If a neighbour�s child sprays graffiti on your wall, do you just smile and think, �I�m so glad this child is playing!�? Your letter suggests that this is a �parents versus the childfree� issue, and that it ridiculous. Do you think that because someone has children, that makes that person above the law? These laws are in place for a reason, and they are there to protect everyone equally, not just those with children, or those without. A good parent teaches his children the value of respecting other people�s property. Not only that, but your letter came across as very offensive to those who for whatever reason do not have children. I think you are the one who needs to work on tolerance.

Bravo!!! Well said Pinecone. You rock.

You might have been a bit strong on the childfree aspect. I think I might have made the point that whether you have children or not is irrelevant to your property rights, and left it at that.

This is a really common dispute. It will be interesting to see what the outcome is. I'd guess all that will happen is they'll make him pay the $$$ for the permit, the bureaucrats will be happy, the fort will stay, the neighbour will remain annoyed, and life will go on in Peyton Place...

Pikasam, I was thinking the same about the childfree thing, but I couldn't help it... she was just so pro-breeder...