Fury at What Neighbor Posts Through Mailbox: 'Is This Harassment?'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A parent is outraged after a neighbor allegedly delivered an unsolicited parenting book in a mailbox.
The Reddit user, known as u/Gh0st_Pirate_LeChuck, shared their frustration on the subreddit r/mildlyinfuriating, where the post quickly gained traction with over 13,000 upvotes.
The poster wrote: "My neighbor in her early 80s who likes to throw water on kids' chalk art put this book in my mailbox. We keep to ourselves and my kids are very respectful. They hate everyone around us and do things like this to everyone.
"She's married (somehow) and her husband doesn't do anything. She's petty af [as f***]. Is this harassment? Isn't it a federal offense to put things like this in others' mailboxes?" she wrote.
The book left in the mailbox was 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12, a popular parenting guide that outlines a method for managing behavior through consistent routines and nonemotional discipline.
Expert Insight
Paris Smith, a licensed therapist at Mending Minds Mental Health Collective LLC, weighed in with Newsweek about the saga.
"When dealing with a passive-aggressive criticism in this specific example, it's best to ignore it," she said.
Smith acknowledged the natural response of feeling "angry, frustrated, shocked, and judged," but added that responding only feeds the conflict.
Although the act might not qualify as criminal or harassment on its own, she recommended documenting such incidents in case they become a pattern. Smith added that, when criticism is given more directly, it's important to be firm and set clear boundaries.
Smith suggested saying something like: "Hey, I'm not really looking for parenting advice at the moment; there are a ton of different parenting styles and I'm going to do what I believe is best for my household. In the future, if I need advice, I'll ask directly."
Stock image: A residential mailbox has been left open by a road.
Stock image: A residential mailbox has been left open by a road.
xphotoz/iStock / Getty Images Plus
Etiquette expert Genevieve "Jenny" Dreizen, COO and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, agreed that the neighbor's action crosses a line.
Dreizen told Newsweek: "When someone anonymously puts a parenting book in your mailbox—especially one titled How To Discipline Your Kids—it's not just bad manners. It's passive-aggressive judgment wrapped in paper.
"In modern etiquette, we always come back to this: unsolicited advice is not kindness. And when it's delivered without a name, it's not advice at all—it's a quiet attempt to shame you."
Dreizen called it "an act of control dressed up as concern" and said that recipients of such behavior have every right to ignore it—or, if the neighbor has a pattern of overstepping, to set a direct boundary.
Reddit Reacts
Commenters on Reddit were quick to chime in, with reactions ranging from sarcastic humor to more-serious advice.
"I think the correct response would be to leave her fliers about dementia and some retirement home listings," wrote one user.
"OP [original poster], I will purchase this book for you if you promise to knock on their door and hand deliver it," another offered, referencing a title called Why It's OK To Mind Your Own Business.
"Once when I was a baby, a lady in the grocery store handed my mom a book of prayers for parents with troubled children. My mom couldn't help but being confused because I was being well-behaved that day! It's definitely annoying, but this will make a good story to laugh about later," a third commenter wrote.
Not everyone was on the original poster's side, though.
"As passive aggressive this is, I have s***** a** neighbors with loud a** kids and would view this as a potential issue from your household. Being a good neighbor goes 2 ways. Maybe figure out where she's coming from," one user wrote.
Newsweek reached out to u/Gh0st_Pirate_LeChuck for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on "WSID" at Newsweek.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Florida Woman Uses Bear Mace on 3-Year-Old Over Blowing Bubbles: Police
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An 81-year-old Florida woman has been arrested and accused of using bear mace against her 3- and 6-year-old neighbor's children after they were blowing bubbles in their own driveway. Ada Anderson was taken into custody following the incident on May 30, 2025, in Ocala in northern Florida, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office's (MCSO) probable cause arrest affidavit. Anderson is also accused of spraying bear mace at the girls' mother, April Morant, who told authorities that Anderson, who is white, also yelled racial slurs at the children, who are Black, during the incident. The MCSO has been contacted via email for comment. Ada Anderson at Marion County Jail. Ada Anderson at Marion County Jail. Marion County Sheriff's Office Why It Matters According to physicians, the use of pepper spray on children—which is weaker than bear mace can lead to lasting physical, neurological, and psychological damage. The chemical irritants can impact a child's developing lungs causing asthma, and can lead to nerve damage if it enters the brain. Being pepper sprayed can also lead to lasting psychological trauma. What To Know According to Anderson's arrest report, the children were blowing bubbles in their driveway when the suspect walked over to the fence separating their two properties. She then pulled out the bear mace and sprayed the children and their mother, per police. Anderson used the n-word while spraying the family, Morant told police. Morant also told police this is not the first time they have been subjected to racial slurs from Anderson. She provided video evidence of this to the MCSO. Morant told the MCSO that she and her children were hit with the spray and that her lungs were in pain. The 6-year-old child told police her nose hurt from the spray, and the 3-year-old was not interviewed by police. Officer Wesley Kenny, who filed the affidavit, said he observed an orange/brown substance on the fence, and that deputies on the scene experienced irritation when smelling the substance. He identified the substance to be pepper spray based on his experience in the field. The terms pepper spray and bear mace are used interchangeably in the affidavit, despite them being two different substances. It is unclear at this time which was used. The affidavit also states that Anderson told police the girls were yelling at her from their fence, so she sprayed the substance at the girls. She said they were not hit by it. What People Are Saying April Morant told WSAZ: "Bubbles. Literally, the bubbles put [Anderson] in a whole other arena, whatever was going on with her mind. What went through my head is I thought she had a gun, so I literally kind of jumped, like it startled me…I didn't know what was in her hand…and then she sprayed it." What Happens Next Anderson is being charged with three counts of battery in the second degree. The second-degree aspect of the charge is because the alleged attack was racially motivated. She has posted bond for her charges after initially being held at the Marion County Jail. Morant is attempting to get a restraining order against her, according to WSAZ.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Flight passengers complain about maskless coughing on board as summer travel heats up
Print Close By Ashley DiMella Published June 05, 2025 As summer travel kicks off, many Americans are taking to the skies to reach their destination. One traveler is sounding off about the passing around of summer sicknesses, calling out "sick people" with "no masks" — and igniting plenty of debate and input from others. Posted in the "r/delta" forum on Reddit, the message reads, "Currently on a plane, and one of the guys in the row behind me is absolutely hacking up a lung with no mask." MAJOR AIRLINE HOLDING FLIGHTS TO ACCOMMODATE FLYERS WITH CONNECTIONS "I've had this happen quite often recently. These people are totally inconsiderate scummy individuals. We are all in super-close quarters on flights — just wear a freaking mask," the user writes. Redditors took to the comments section to discuss the issue of flight passengers wearing masks on board. "I have lung disease and occasionally I get a coughing fit. I'm not sick or contagious. Could be the case here," suggested one user. Another user wrote, "You're never going to get the U.S. to adopt a mindset that widely encompasses masks. You just aren't. And the thing is, prior to 2020 you would likely not have thought of masking for someone coughing either." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "This is why I always wear a mask on planes because I can't control if other people wear them," commented a Redditor. "I don't trust others to have common sense." One user said, "I carry a mask and wash my hands before (and after) I use the bathroom. I don't trust others to have common sense or minimal decency." Another person said, "If you go out in public, there will be germs. Accept it. Move on. Protect yourself however you wish. Or stay home." For more Lifestyle articles, visit Another comment read, "Keep your mask on. Take an airborne or other Vitamin C pill. More than likely you won't get sick. Relax and move on. You cannot do anything." Recirculated air passes through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that capture 99.97% of particles such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi ≥0.3 µm in diameter, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The agency says that wearing a "high-quality" and "well-fitting mask" can be "effective in reducing the transmission of respiratory pathogens." "Close proximity of passengers increases the risk of person-to-person airborne spread before contaminated air can be removed from the breathing zone and exhausted or filtered," the CDC notes. Wearing a mask can be especially helpful during the boarding and deplaning process. Print Close URL
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Flight passengers complain about maskless coughing on planes as summer travel heats up
As summer travel kicks off, many Americans are taking to the skies to reach their destination. One traveler is sounding off about the passing around of summer sicknesses, calling out "sick people" with "no masks" — and igniting plenty of debate and input from others. Posted in the "r/delta" forum on Reddit, the message reads, "Currently on a plane, and one of the guys in the row behind me is absolutely hacking up a lung with no mask." "I've had this happen quite often recently. These people are totally inconsiderate scummy individuals. We are all in super-close quarters on flights — just wear a freaking mask," the user writes. Redditors took to the comments section to discuss the issue of flight passengers wearing masks on board. "I have lung disease and occasionally I get a coughing fit. I'm not sick or contagious. Could be the case here," suggested one user. Another user wrote, "You're never going to get the U.S. to adopt a mindset that widely encompasses masks. You just aren't. And the thing is, prior to 2020 you would likely not have thought of masking for someone coughing either." "This is why I always wear a mask on planes because I can't control if other people wear them," commented a Redditor. "I don't trust others to have common sense." One user said, "I carry a mask and wash my hands before (and after) I use the bathroom. I don't trust others to have common sense or minimal decency." Another person said, "If you go out in public, there will be germs. Accept it. Move on. Protect yourself however you wish. Or stay home." Another comment read, "Keep your mask on. Take an airborne or other Vitamin C pill. More than likely you won't get sick. Relax and move on. You cannot do anything." Recirculated air passes through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that capture 99.97% of particles such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi ≥0.3 µm in diameter, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency says that wearing a "high-quality" and "well-fitting mask" can be "effective in reducing the transmission of respiratory pathogens." "Close proximity of passengers increases the risk of person-to-person airborne spread before contaminated air can be removed from the breathing zone and exhausted or filtered," the CDC notes. Wearing a mask can be especially helpful during the boarding and deplaning process.
