Absolutely sick of neighbour’s kids

The “you’ll get your balls thrown over once a week, so don’t ring my fucking doorbell again” idea is great. I’d do that.

Chuck the bikes into the road outside, don’t hesitate.

Prob is if its not the children it will be something else. When you live close to others often have to take deep breaths.
One side we have neighbours that bbq at the first sign of spring.. so I have to dash out and get washing in often. They also play music from the kitchen so they can hear it in the garden..so i cant hear my own music.. Other side we have a misery.. if we put the hose on or start the strimmer he peers over/throw ball for dog and he watches to check not going near his garden.
Children playing is just one of those things:( but maybe they could put a net at top of their fence to keep balls in?

can you hear my eyeballs rolling?

Move as soon as you can. It’s only going to get worse.

First post kinda nailed it and I have another suggestion. Try to cultivate a less resentful mindset. Not easy, but better for your own mental health.

My neighbours at the back all have kids playing noisily outside, the ball banging against the fence, coming over occasionally.

It started to really irritate me but then I made a concerted effort to not let it get to me. I started to think "Imagine a world where little boys didn't run around outside playing football, but instead they played on computer games 24/7 or worse - with phones and following the manosphere like Andrew Tate".

It made me feel grateful for them having a garden to get outside. They won't be young forever, and then the voices and football noises will be gone.

It made me feel less irritated.

if their mum is not going to teach them to behave considerately you’ll have to find your firm teacher style voice and tell them yourself. lay down your rules and stick to them. If they ring the bell and you can answer it, do so and tell them that they can have their ball back at the weekend and that they mustn’t ring again. Don’t allow the behaviour that you dont like to continue

I agree but its a good place to start.

So the op has to put a gate in and hep the neighbours with their children?

The kids sound feral and the mum sounds as if she’s not coping.

Have you spoken to her about the kids? Tell her her kids are annoying you, their behaviour is unacceptable, and say what you’d like to happen. Ask if she needs any help and how she’s coping.

If you have told the kids nicely not to do something and they carry on, I’d shout.

Although, many parents won't do anything. They simply cannot say no to their child. They think the children are entitled to do as they please.

Really? What a silly suggestion. Would you really want random kids in your garden? No thanks.

Indeed x

No one is being miserable , it’s about respecting your neighbours and not letting your kids act like thugs, maybe the mum needs to get off her arse and take them the park , instead of not giving a shit that all the neighbours are sick if her brats damaging their property, I have boys and no way would they think this behaviour was acceptable.

Dismantle the doorbell. They can still ring it, but you won't hear anything.

It's really the mother who is the issue if you've talked to her and she isn't willing to tell her children to behave better. She's raising them to be very inconsiderate.

We had a very similar situation with the people next door. In the end, it became quite tense between me and the other mother. The boys would bang balls against the side of our house repeatedly, while I was working, no regard to nearly breaking windows, let alone damage to the home and the noise. And if their ball went over the fence, they would let themselves in and then not close the gate, putting out dogs at risk. The kids were always all over our property, cars scratched, yep. Mother was useless and after I complained enough times, she started saying I wasn't a "family-friendly" person, made me out to be some witch with the other mothers! We ended up listing the house after 3.5 of the most unrelaxing years of my life. Even the dogs were happier when we got out!

Not really sure why the doorbell is being rung. Presumably these are terrace houses and the kids can't just go and get the ball themselves.

I have a detached house surrounded by garden, drive etc. and a few times a neighbour's little boy knocked on my door, asking permission to go and get his ball from my back garden.

I eventually told him he didn't have to knock on the door, just go and get the ball, and haven't been bothered since.

I’d rather they were indoors on screens rather than the destruction and hassle they cause.

I agree with you. We have kids who DON’T EVEN LIVE HERE brought to “visit a relative” but really it’s because no one can be bothered with them. We all have to suffer the behaviour whilst the parent sits behind a closed front door. Makes me want to fucking scream at the fucking cheek of it. Lots of other neighbours are sick of it

It’ll be the turn of your kids soon. Hopefully just as theirs start wanting long lie-ins

This is the attitude you’re up against op. The idea it’s expected to have 60 plus balls kicked over each month or to be disturbed several times a day in your own home. Somehow you’re meant to be glad they’re not on screens as if you’re invested in these kids screen time.

This is what I would do. The kids might be annoying but bursting, possibly quite pricey, footballs is just spiteful.
Im sure it’s healthier for kids to play outside rather than on games consoles or social media.
Bikes leaning on cars is definitely not acceptable.

The bikes on the car is a no no but that's about it for me, as parents or young kids there is no winning,if they are on screens or indoors we're told they should be outside in the fresh air playing,then when they are outside playing,being kids people complain about the noise,a ball,asking for their ball back, everything is wrong & judged upon.

Most of those are just kids having fun but yeah I wouldn't be happy with leaning their bikes against your car.

We had a sporty kid next door and balls would come over. There was a gap in the fence and we just told him to come over and fetch them himself.

Leaning bikes against cars and playing or you drive are clearly wrong but I’d hold off complaining about the balls until you see if your toddlers grow up to be children who also kick balls over fences despite parents begging them to be careful