Say What!?
Grandma Teaches 4-Year-Old to Fight for Her Right to Play in a Pink House (VIDEO)
Let's say your 4-year-old daughter's grandma built her an adorable pink and purple playhouse, which, of course, became her favorite place to play in the whole wide world. The perfect spot for tea parties and make-believe -- one of those things every little girl dreams about. She loves that playhouse more than anything.
Let's say Grandma's Home Owner's Association does NOT love that playhouse more than anything. On the contrary, they really are not very fond of the playhouse at all, because they have a rule about "sheds" and/or "garages" being painted the same color as an owner's actual home, and Grandma's actual home is brown, not pink and/or purple. So the HOA sues Grandma and threatens to have the playhouse torn down.
How, exactly, would you explain this situation to your heartbroken daughter?
Because according to Becky Rogers-Peck of Georgia (builder of the condemned playhouse), her granddaughter Aubree "knows exactly what's going on, and she is very upset about it. She is scared they might make us tear it down.’’
Aww, poor kid! So here we have a very sticky parenting situation. Some big meanies think Grandma broke their rule. But Grandma legit didn't think she WAS breaking the matching paint-job restriction: “I totally agree with the rules if it’s a shed or a garage, but I consider this play equipment like a trampoline or a swingset. Originally, I was just going to buy a Little Tikes Playhouse, and what would have been the difference?" Indeed.
Now, the question is, do we explain to our child that, Oh well, rules are rules and it's not Grandma's fault but if they tear down the playhouse there's nothing we can do? Or do we explain to our child that, Some rules are meant to be broken and sometimes you have to stand up to authority and you gotta fight for your right to party in a pink playhouse?
In my opinion, the latter. Which is exactly what Aubree's family is trying to do, which is a problem because lawyers are expensive, but they're still not backing down, and I really hope they figure out a way to win this one!!
What would you tell your child in this situation?
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Nikki
LokisMama
I'd just paint my house pink and tell the HOA to suck it.
keriley1
Thats why I refuse to live in any community like that. I don't really like being told what I can and can't do in my own house or yard. I much prefer country living.
BiBi Frederick Waltslady
jagamama0710
HOA's in general are so flippin' stupid for the most part. They usually cause more frustration and hassle than any good they might do.
Our HOA is actually pretty chill though and our fee each month includes our water bill plus the street lights, upkeep of the parks and trails, etc. The only annoying rule they have is no clotheslines but even that can be bypassed in our state due to green laws. Before we made an offer on our home I read through allllllll of their HOA rules to make sure I could live with them. That's something you should really do when buying a home. The HOA for the neighborhood behind ours doesn't allow swingsets or play/tree houses and it touts itself as being a big family oriented neighborhood. WTF?
countrygirl670
Jeez, I never even considered living in a neighborhood with a HOA. I don't want my freedom curtailed regarding what I can do to my own home. And that's such a little, tiny playhouse and really unobtrusive. I'm in a more rural area and my kid's playhouse has a 14 foot roof line. That's the kind of fun and freedom I want to have in my yard.
MomLily67
HOA are stupid!!! why should anyone tell you what color to paint your house or your kids playhouse?? what about those plastic playhouses? do they have to find them in the same color as the house? Bet they are all earth tones.... Rules are meant to be broken and that little girs should be allowed to have her pink and purple playhouse.
Alaina Quist
its obviously a kids play house, i wonder what kind of asshole you have to be to knowingly do that to a little girl. its not an eye sore, its not hurting anything, so why would you pick this fight? BECAUSE YOU ARE A DUCHE BAG, THATS WHY!!!
wamom223
Why would you buy a house with a HOA anyway? I don't know what the Grandma should do but this why I would never live with a HOA.
tuffymama