AIBU to ask their mother to keep them out of my garden.

[Bishopsbuddy]

I live in a cul de sac. We have enclosed back gardens but open plan front garden. We have lots of kids in the street including my own who play nicely in their own gardens or in the end of the road which is quiet and has no traffic. In November a new family moved in with three children aged 15 - 9. They play football in the road and the ball goes in all the gardens and hits cars and Windows and still they carry on. I heard some noise in my back garden last night and when I let the dog out we found they had opened my side gate and one was hiding behind my shed. I watched from the upstairs and they were playing hide n seek in everyone's gardens front and back. I asked the lad I caught last night to stay out of the garden but when I got home there tonight the gate is lying open again and I can see them
Now running in and out of the gardens again. Would I be unreasonable to ask their mum to keep them out of my back yard. I'm concerned they will leave it open and either my toddler will get out of my dog will.

[louisejxxx]

Not unreasonable in the slightest!

[tibbawyrots]

Put a lock/bolt on the gate?

[madmother1]

Put a sliding bolt on the gate?

[ChemistryHunt]

YANBU at all. First time it happened I wouldn't be overly annoyed but after I had told them they are not to come j to your garden I wouldn't expect to see them again.

You need to have a word with their parents. You have the right not to have people let themselves into your garden. Also what if they got hurt behind the shed or similar, no one would know they were there.

I would also get a lock for the gate to be honest, but that might come from always loving in cities where hints will easily go walk about if you give people half a chance.

[cranberryx]

I would put a lock on the gate and also speak to their mother, that kind of trespassing isn't on. Imagine if they did it to a vulnerable or elderly person on the street and scared them, also the toddler/dog getting out would make me beyond angry, what if they got hit by a car?

If after the lock/speaking to the mum, if it happens again, phone the police. These children are old enough to know that this is not okay. It's a very weird mindset to have about boundaries that they think it's okay to go onto other peoples properties.

[ChemistryHunt]

*things not hints

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

Blimey, im amazed you haven't been round already. I would have been after the first time! And yes, to a bolt on the gate.

[WonderingAspie]

I do wonder if the children who are disrespectful enough to run around on other people's property are going to have parents who are receptive to being told to keep their children out of people's gardens.

YANBU. Definitely put a lock on the gate.

[Bishopsbuddy]

I have a slide lock on the gate but I will get a pad lock for it tomo. I have never locked it before as we never had this issue. I was unsure if it was acceptable to ask to keep them
Out as my neighbour who's son plays with them felt I was over reacting. I'm pretty pissed off that my garage door is dented from their football and the car is getting hit too. I can see them now. It's dark outside and they are running in and out of the gardens playing hide and seek in the bushes. I have left my front and side lights on so hoping that deters them
Tonight.

[Wolfiefan]

What wondering said I'm afraid!

[Wolfiefan]

If they are damaging property then call non emergency police. Do they own the property? If not complain to landlord.

[somewheresomehow]

Why have you not got a bolt on your gate you could get burgled as well as having kids in and out that you dont want

[SaucyJack]

Can't you just shout "Get out of my FUCKING GARDEN!!!!" at them, like a normal person.

[Bishopsbuddy]

I know that's a concern. The parents keep themselves to themselves. I know they moved from Australia but the dad is British. The blinds stay closed all day so the parents couldn't see what they are at. I'm afraid to go now lol.

[Bishopsbuddy]

Saucy I tend not to swear at my kids so probably wouldn't to someone else's.

[BigQueenBee]

Put a lock on the gate. Problem solved.

[kawliga]

Looks like these might be problem neighbours. I would keep out of their way. If they are the neighbours from hell just waiting for things to kick off you don't want to be first in their firing line.

[BoffinMum]

I would definitely go around and say to the parents that there's been some damage to your garage and they have been into your garden and left the gate open a couple of times, which makes it unsafe for the toddler, and that if they could have a word with their kids you would appreciate that.

You might get your head bitten off but at least they won't be able to say they didn't know.

[BoffinMum]

It would be wrong to keep removing and hiding their footballs when they weren't looking, of course.

[HermioneWeasley]

Turn the hose on them

[AnnaMarlowe]

Speak to parents, they shouldn't be kicking a ball anywhere near your car let alone playing in your garden.

Also get a lock - for your child's safety.

[kaitlinktm]

When we had a massive problem with footballs in the garden (one literally every five to ten minutes) and kids knocking and asking for it back (none too politely) we said we would only return it to parents. The idea was that the parents would realise how much of an interruption it was.

It sort of worked but also kind of backfired as they asked a different set of parents every time.

Still, inconveniencing the parents who told them not to play outside their own house but outside mine make me feel a bit better.

A couple of times I simply couldn't find the ball though - what a shame!

[JolseBaby]

I would go round and have a word with the parents. Be nice and polite but firm - point out that you don't want kids unsupervised in your garden. Plus whilst it's great that they are playing out, they have already damaged your garage door so they need to be a bit more careful.

[TwoLeftSocks]

You could always hide behind the shed waiting to jump out at them in a scary costume.

Or for a lock.

[GnomeDePlume]

SaucyJack, that's my approach as well. No eye contact, a straightforward bellow. No pussyfooting around. 'this is my garden, not a playground'.

And get a bolt for your gate.