Cruel note slams parents as 'selfish' over size of home

"Sometimes harassment comes in simple forms" the Brunings wrote on Facebook. Photo / Facebook Kelly Bruning.

A US couple have been left stunned after receiving an anonymous letter slamming them as "selfish" for raising their boys in a beachside apartment.

Where other children might run around a backyard, Kelly and Mike Bruning's boys, aged two and four, spend their playtime at the beach, dubbed by their mum as the "infinite backyard."

But it turns out there's at least one person who disagrees with the Bruning's living situation, so much so that they felt compelled to pen a letter to them expressing their distaste for the couple's lack of lawn.

"It's important that you know you guys are about the most selfish parents around," the note reads.

"Because you like the beach, your boys are trapped in a tiny, one bedroom upstairs apartment. Kids need a yard to play in."

Now.. this place just got interesting. We received this in the mail today ... not everyone in 92109 is solid. Sometimes harassment comes in simple forms.

Posted by Kelly N Mike Brüning on Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Overlooking the fact the family have use of the entire beach, the note goes on to insult the couple over their lack of swing set or access to a tricycle to ride.

It continues: "I don't know this but I doubt that either of you had to grow up under these conditions. SHAME ON YOU."

The Brunings shared the letter on Facebook saying: "Now... this place just got interesting. Not everyone in 92109 is solid. Sometimes harassment comes in simple forms."

The post has quickly gathered attention across social media with users united in their support of the beachside family.

One user wrote: "Unbelievable! Some people have a lot of nerve. And apparently have no life to have nothing more to do then judge other people's parenting. I think it's great that you are raising your kids at the beach."

Another said: "It just seems that any old person can have an opinion about how you live your life or raise your kids now."

The pair replied saying they were thankful for the support and the community having "our backs."

"Thank you all for your wonderful responses, thoughts, input and advice which turns out to be the ultimate 'Open Letter' to the ignorant coward who bothered to write and send this junk mail," they wrote.

"See you all at the beach - the "infinite backyard"... (only after we unlock our boys from the hall closet which doubles as their bedroom and bathroom... I sleep on the kitchen counter)..."