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AIBU?

to be fed up of balls in my garden from next door?

234 replies

nomoreballs · 31/07/2013 19:41

Nearly everyday at least one ball gets thrown over the fence. The record was 5 in one day! I used to pick them up each time and throw them back but I am getting annoyed by it. If the kids are in the garden when I throw them back they never say thanks.

I had plans to get a greenhouse before they moved in but it's not worth even considering.

A few days ago I gave up throwing them back. I counted 4 balls in my garden this morning (plus one more that my dog was chewing on.)

Neither the kids or the parents have said anything yet. AIBU?

OP posts:

Report

Avondale · 31/07/2013 19:44

Think you are being a bit miserable tbh. Tho my Granny used to pop each and every ball that came into her garden. She never got Xmas cards off the neighbours.

xylem8 · 31/07/2013 19:50

Is it really a hardship to throw back a few balls whaen you are out there? Think of it as an arm/shoulder workout

primallass · 31/07/2013 19:51

Yes YABU, but I would say that because DS love practising overhead kicks and puts them over the garden wall every day. But he is outside running around.

OryxCrake · 31/07/2013 19:56

We used to have this a lot and while I was nice to the kids involved and always returned the balls, it actually did ruin several summers for us as they booted a ball against the fence for hours and kicked several over every day.

Part of the problem (apart from the incessant thudding) was that the place where the balls came over was right by where we sit out (tiny garden, surrounded by other gardens as it's on a corner plot) and we had a lot of near misses with drinks, food etc!

We did have a (gentle) word about perhaps kicking the ball the other way but they said their mum told them not to kick it towards their house. Their dad sometimes used to join in, too, and he was worse than the kids for kicking the ball over. (We have a lovely park over the road...)

I didn't want to spoil their fun but I was bloody glad when they moved, tbh.

usualsuspect · 31/07/2013 19:59

Just chuck them back over.

Jeez the things people moan about on here.

WeleaseWodger · 31/07/2013 20:00

Having flying objects hit you every time you may want to use your garden? Dangerous and I would have word with the parents. They can pay to install a safety net over top of the fence if they're so keen.

And don't return balls. Chuck them in the bin and let them know they can rummage for them.

KirjavaTheCat · 31/07/2013 20:01

I'm constantly reminding DS not to kick the ball against neighbour's fence, and to keep it low so they don't have to throw it back. It's simple manners really.

However it is part and parcel of living next door to a family in the summer. YWU not to throw them back when you had the chance to, is it really that much bother? Have you asked them to be more careful?

Get the greenhouse. Then go round and tell them that you have a greenhouse, and ask if they could please keep the balls from coming over, in case they damage it. If they're reasonable (and sensible) people they'll respect that, and their wallets should they accidentally break a pane and be responsible for replacing it.

usualsuspect · 31/07/2013 20:04

Seriously,Chuck them in the bin?

You miserable sod.

MrsKeithRichards · 31/07/2013 20:04

Just stop until they ask.

ClaraOswald · 31/07/2013 20:06

I had that one day.

The kid sent his friend over for the 5th time, and I said that I would return the ball when I was ready as 5 times in one afternoon was too much.

I threw it back two days later and strangely enough, no balls have come in for the past 8 weeks.

GoodMorningMoon · 31/07/2013 20:06

I'd be annoyed that they didn't say thank you.

Munchmallow · 31/07/2013 20:06

I'm quite tolerant when it comes to children lobbing footballs over my fence and usually just throw them back.

But I had to complain when a gym ball landed in my garden. It could have knocked me out!

Tweasels · 31/07/2013 20:08

Life is tough OP. What more can I say.

soontobeslendergirl · 31/07/2013 20:10

Live and let live - I tell them off if they batter the ball on the fence as I don't fancy the cost of replacing it and I'm sure their parents don't either, but I am happy to return the stray balls or allow them access to collect.

Most times the parents get them to play with soft balls so they don't do damage and I know that those are harder to control in terms of them shooting over the fence as they are a lot lighter.

HolidayArmadillo · 31/07/2013 20:10

What pisses me off. And I mean really fucks me off, is when I'm on night shift and the balls come over the fence and as we have high fences they can't just jump over and get them back they come and ring the doorbell. Repeatedly. Until I get up. I asked them politely not to do it again the first time, the second time I was less polite. The third time, honestly? I told him he couldn't have his effing ball back. Felt a bit guilty but I was absolutely livid.

BlissfullyIgnorant · 31/07/2013 20:10

We took a dislike when one blocked a drainpipe and caused damage from rainwater ingress. Now we have a dog, we can't get enough - he loves it! It's doggy manna from pet heaven

usualsuspect · 31/07/2013 20:12

I used to tell my neighbours kids to come and get them back themselves.

They climbed over or came in the gate if it wasn't locked.

nomoreballs · 31/07/2013 20:12

Just let the dog out and found a child's baseball cap and shoe!

I don't think I would mind so much if they said thanks. I once spent ages trying to find a small toy that the girl chucked over. She was crying but once I handed it to her she grabbed it and walked away.

OP posts:

MrsHoarder · 31/07/2013 20:14

You have it easy: next doors pre school bits throw everything over the fence. So balls and Frisbee but also garden canes and stones. I have a baby who likes exploring the garden but we have to come in when they go out.

Lovely parents, but a but ineffective at discipline.

MrsHoarder · 31/07/2013 20:15

Pre school boys

Ham69 · 31/07/2013 20:16

Phew, I though that the OP was my neighbour! I do apologise and thank her on the rare occasions I see her (garden that backs onto us), but the fact is my 6 year old is passionate about football and it's the summer holidays. Apart from nagging him incessantly and taking him to the park as often as possible, it's a healthy hobby and he's just enjoying himself and not meaning to offend anyone. He'll soon grow out of it. Luckily, both my neighbours either side are brilliant and say he can hop over the fence and retrieve the balls whenever they're not around. Unlike a few miserable sods on here. He'd be devestated if they all got destroyed. YABU.

mimitwo · 31/07/2013 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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IWillGetThere · 31/07/2013 20:20

Once maybe twice a day you have to throw a ball over? YABU. I wouldn't think twice about that.

larry5 · 31/07/2013 20:21

Ham69 he might not grow out of it. The boy next door is 18 and we still get footballs over from him most days. If we don't return the ball fast enough he jumps over the wall.

MrsHoarder · 31/07/2013 20:27

Mimi what about stones the size of an adult fist that leave a dent in the grass?

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