A mum was stunned after she kindly let her neighbour's children use her garden paddling pool during the heatwave – only to be floored by the neighbour's next 'cheeky' request15:26, 26 Jun 2026A mum was gobsmacked when her neighbour made a "rude" and "cheeky" request after she had allowed their children to play in her garden during the heatwave. For most people, the summer months are a much-anticipated highlight, with warm, sunny days and long, balmy evenings drawing everyone outdoors.‌Garden get-togethers and barbecues tend to be firm favourites for many households. This summer, however, the relentless heatwave has made it increasingly difficult to make the most of our outdoor spaces.‌The Met Office has activated its Extreme Heat warning for many places in southern and central England and Wales, with Amber warnings now also extending into Friday and Saturday for some.‌Given the sweltering conditions, it's no wonder many families are seeking refuge in the shade. One mum set up a paddling pool and splash toy in her garden to keep her children cool, and extended an invitation to families from the neighbouring block of flats to join in.She knows several of the families from the flats, whose children attend the same school as her kids. The flats have a "small shared grass area behind the flats but it's not totally enclosed", and it's "a bit overgrown" and "messy".Posting on Mumsnet, the mum revealed after setting up the paddling pool and splash toy once again for her children, she was approached on the school run by one of the neighbouring mums, who wanted her children to come over and use it again.‌But the mum wanted her garden to be "quiet" that day. She explained: "I said 'not today sorry but maybe on Friday?' One of the mums said 'but it's boiling!'"I said, 'I know but I wanted to just have a quiet afternoon/evening and I have work tomorrow and [Thursday] to which she said 'so you won't be there at all? Can we use the garden/pool on those days?'"I said no!!!! I feel she's being rude! I said happy Friday for everyone to come over again after school but she tutted and walked off.‌"I know it's hot but I don't want them here everyday and especially when I'm not home tomorrow and Thursday!!!"She titled her post: "[Am I Being Unreasonable] to say no to neighbours using my garden daily during heatwave?"The comments section was flooded with hundreds of responses from people eager to weigh in. One person wrote: "You're not being unreasonable at all, she is rude to even ask. If she lives in a flat and doesn't have a garden that's not your problem.‌"That's like asking someone if they can use your bed whilst away because theirs is broke - silly."Another suggested: "She sounds like the type of person that will be sat at your Christmas table at dinner time and you've no idea how she ended up being invited. Don't make eye contact again."A third commented: "Give her an inch and she'll take a mile. Perhaps the flat dwellers could tidy up their own shared garden instead."Article continues belowWhile a fourth concurred: "She could put one in her shared garden. She just wants use of yours. Your home is set up for you, not her convenience. Pushy. You did her a favour, now she wants more. No is the answer. Tell her she and her kids are not permitted on your property."Many users labelled the neighbour "cheeky" and "entitled", urging the mother to fit a lock on her garden gate to prevent them from accessing it when she's not at home.At the time of writing, 98% of Mumsnet users voted the mum was not being unreasonable to refuse her neighbour's demands.