How do I deal with this problem? Should I change?

I have a few neighbours, all of which are little girls of ages 8-11. They are very playful and I see them a lot as we all tend to relax (or in their case, play) in the community garden quite often. When I do spend time in the garden, they always try to interact and play with me by using violence, hitting me and taking my things and hiding them. I am a mature boy of 16 years and therefore cannot use violence back or get angry about the situation. I do not want to involve the parents as I do not wish for them to get in trouble. I believe that they might have small crushes on me and that is why they are behaving so. But I would much rather have their respect than to be their friendly nice neighbour. How can I earn this respect. They are all very well educated girls and only seem to change around me.Two days ago, the little girl of eight tried to punch me in the testicles and pull my trousers down. I responded by saying "do not do that, you should not do that", but all the girls just giggled and carried on. Then they blocked the door, not letting me enter my house, which left me no option but to walk away because other people were around. How should I approach this situation? They are nice little girls and I therefore do not want to get them in trouble. I have bruises from their kicks even though they are only laughing and playing. I KNOW, I Cannot let this carry on. But anger or violence will not change the situation.I am aware that my relationship with these little girls must be adjusted. I must assert my authority. Thank you, Anonymous

it's only going to get worse if you don't tell anyone, tell your mum/dad and let them deal with it,

Jesus, just tell their parents.

tell their parents!!!also, you don't have to hurt them if they're 8-11 years old and block your way surely you can just pick them up and put them down somewhere else?

If only... they have strength in numbers... I am quite well built but unless i make a scene, it would be impossible to pick them up while they are kicking, punching and scratching. I don´t exactly want to get punched down below again. In response to your suggestion, there would be too many parents to tell. I need advice on how to shape my character to force them to respect me. For example, should I smile at them? or should I ignore them and not even say hi? When they talk should I be rude?thanks

there may be a lot of parents but if they have a pack mentality I doubt there is much you can do, especially now they have the impression of you as a walkoverif you want to try and deal yourself you just need to speak with authority, think of teachers you respected at school, don't be rude or over friendly, just tell them to stop with authority, it can be hard to do, I don't have anyyyyyy natural authority and when I started working with kids found it really hard to be taken seriously but you can foster authority if you practice, remember that a 16 year old is still old to them! personally I would go for some non-violent physical intervention, e.g. moving them or grabbing hands and then tell them firmly to go play somewhere else and treat you with respect

I have a few neighbours, all of which are little girls of ages 8-11. They are very playful and I see them a lot as we all tend to relax (or in their case, play) in the community garden quite often. When I do spend time in the garden, they always try to interact and play with me by using violence, hitting me and taking my things and hiding them. I am a mature boy of 16 years and therefore cannot use violence back or get angry about the situation. I do not want to involve the parents as I do not wish for them to get in trouble. I believe that they might have small crushes on me and that is why they are behaving so. But I would much rather have their respect than to be their friendly nice neighbour. How can I earn this respect. They are all very well educated girls and only seem to change around me.Two days ago, the little girl of eight tried to punch me in the testicles and pull my trousers down. I responded by saying "do not do that, you should not do that", but all the girls just giggled and carried on. Then they blocked the door, not letting me enter my house, which left me no option but to walk away because other people were around. How should I approach this situation? They are nice little girls and I therefore do not want to get them in trouble. I have bruises from their kicks even though they are only laughing and playing. I KNOW, I Cannot let this carry on. But anger or violence will not change the situation.I am aware that my relationship with these little girls must be adjusted. I must assert my authority. Thank you, Anonymous

I have a few neighbours, all of which are little girls of ages 8-11. They are very playful and I see them a lot as we all tend to relax (or in their case, play) in the community garden quite often. When I do spend time in the garden, they always try to interact and play with me by using violence, hitting me and taking my things and hiding them. I am a mature boy of 16 years and therefore cannot use violence back or get angry about the situation. I do not want to involve the parents as I do not wish for them to get in trouble. I believe that they might have small crushes on me and that is why they are behaving so. But I would much rather have their respect than to be their friendly nice neighbour. How can I earn this respect. They are all very well educated girls and only seem to change around me.Two days ago, the little girl of eight tried to punch me in the testicles and pull my trousers down. I responded by saying "do not do that, you should not do that", but all the girls just giggled and carried on. Then they blocked the door, not letting me enter my house, which left me no option but to walk away because other people were around. How should I approach this situation? They are nice little girls and I therefore do not want to get them in trouble. I have bruises from their kicks even though they are only laughing and playing. I KNOW, I Cannot let this carry on. But anger or violence will not change the situation.I am aware that my relationship with these little girls must be adjusted. I must assert my authority. Thank you, Anonymous