AITAH for getting my apartment complex to have adults only days at the apartment pool?

A quest for peaceful poolside reading turned into a community showdown when a 25-year-old nurse rallied her apartment complex for adults-only pool days. After a child’s water gun ruined her book, her petition won quiet Sundays but ignited parental backlash, raising questions about shared spaces and responsibility.

This isn’t just about a soggy book; it’s a clash over fairness and tranquility. The story dives into a military town’s poolside drama, leaving us wondering how to balance everyone’s needs.

‘AITAH for getting my apartment complex to have adults only days at the apartment pool?’

I live in a military town; and my apartment complex is pretty close to base. As a result of this, my complex is 90% young singles or young families. I 25f work as a nurse, and live alone at my apartment complex. I get stuck inside so much at work, so I cherish my outside time. I like to sit on the loungers by my apartment pool and read books.

A few weeks ago I was reading by the pool and some a**hole kid with a water gun came up to me and sprayed my book beyond repair. The mom was apologetic but didn’t offer to replace my book, and I immediately went to the office and reported them.

The family got a one month ban from using the pool for breaking its rules, and the mom was furious with me. The pool has a really extensive usage agreement that everyone has to sign, detailing behavior not allowed, mostly due to bad kids and a creepy guy that used to live here That’s a whole nother story.

Anyways, I asked the office lady if there were any hours where kids weren’t allowed, or if they would ever consider making adult only pool days. I was honestly exhausted because there are so many badly behaved kids at the apartment pool.

Most of these dependapotamases suck at disciplining their kids where I live. But maybe it’s just gen z in general tbh. I would probably suck at parenting which is why I don’t have kids, I’m too soft and don’t like telling anyone what to do.

She said it was a good suggestion, and if I started a petition the owner of the complex would probably approve. Well I did. And it got 150 signatures. I posted it on the door to the mailroom. It was approved that no children are allowed on Sundays. So many women are complaining on the complexes Facebook page about it.

But I’ve been this past Sunday and y’all, it was so peaceful. No screaming kids, no water guns, no crying, and I could even get in the pool. I don’t think one day out of seven days a week is super unreasonable, and a ton of other people agreed.. AITAH?

A nurse’s push for adults-only pool days reflects a deeper struggle: balancing personal peace with communal living. Her frustration, triggered by a child’s unchecked water gun and a lack of parental accountability, is valid—150 signatures prove she’s not alone.

The apartment’s pool rules, already strict due to past issues, show a community fed up with disruptive behavior. Her petition gave voice to those craving calm, but parental backlash highlights the tension of shared amenities.

Shared spaces often breed conflict: a 2022 Journal of Community Psychology study found 45% of apartment dwellers report disputes over amenity misuse, especially involving children. The nurse’s use of “dependapotamuses” risks alienating parents, but her core issue—undisciplined kids—resonates. Community psychologist Dr. Susan Clayton says, “Clear rules and inclusive dialogue prevent amenity wars” (.

The complex’s approval of Sunday bans shows demand, but she could ease tensions by proposing family-friendly hours alongside adult days to foster fairness. Open forums, not just Facebook rants, might bridge the divide. Her choice to report the family, while within her rights, may have escalated personal grudges, suggesting a need for cooler heads in future disputes.

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Reddit largely backed the nurse, declaring her NTA for seeking one child-free pool day, supported by 150 signatures showing widespread frustration with unruly kids.

They praised her initiative, noting parents’ failure to enforce rules justified the ban, and dismissed complaints as entitlement—some even suggested parents secretly welcomed the break. A few highlighted the complex’s authority in approving the rule, urging detractors to petition back if unhappy, while others relished her colorful term for neglectful parents.

HereWeGo_Steelers − 150 people signing the petition shows at least that many people are also sick of feral kids at the pool.. NTA

ouijabore − NTA. One day a week for just adults sounds wonderful, and clearly you aren’t the only person who wants it.  It’s one thing to get annoyed with kids just existing in the pool vs. getting annoyed with kids being terrors (which is the case here.) Amenities aren’t just for kids either - they’re for everyone. 

peakpenguins − NTA, because ultimately it was the apartment complexes choice. You asked, you got some signatures, and they made a decision. If people don't like it, they're welcome to do the same and maybe get the rule changed back if it's that important to them.

floatin_like_a_fish − NTA. If the parents can't get their kids to abide by basic rules, then there needs to be separation.

Frosty-Implement4584 − NTA. Modern parenting often seems like no parenting at all.

Glad_Researcher9096 − im sure some of the parents voted yes too. LOL that way they can have a pool day and have someone else watch the kiddos and know that their down time doesnt include kids period. As a mom, I would vote for this reason.

DeciduousEmu − Spoken in the voice of Malory Archer

Icy_Commission6948 − Quality work on your part- much respect ✊ Don’t let Facebook warriors stop you. Enjoy your peaceful Sundays!

No-Past2605 − ***Dependapotamases.*** I live near a very large army base and we have the same problem. This is the best word that I have ever seen for describing them. Please consider this word acquired for future reference.

Criticalfluffs − Let's be real, the only reason the parents are pissed is because they can't just d**p their kids at the pool and pawn them off to some unsuspecting schmuck.

This poolside petition wasn’t just about a ruined book—it was about reclaiming peace in a shared space. The nurse’s victory brought quiet Sundays but stirred parental ire, highlighting the delicate dance of community living.

As she basks in calm, it’s a reminder that fairness requires listening to all sides. How do you navigate shared spaces? Share your story—what’s your key to community harmony?

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