Help me solve this neighbour's toys conundrum

[notonyournell]

I have moved into a new house and either side of my has families with DC (they both have 2 boys)

Recently I was out in the garden and the garden child to the left shouted 'Can I have my ball back please?!'

The only ball there was an orange one and I threw it over. I was then confronted by the dad that evening from the other family that I had 'gifted' HIS DC's ball to the other neighbours?!

I said no... he said yes, his son asked for it back and the other boys said I'd given it to them I said there's been a mistake but I'm sorry. He went off in a huff

Now today, I was in the garden and was greeted by about 4/5 different toys! A mixture of balls, a hoop and a frisbee

I went round to the door who complained I'd given next door their ball first. He took the lot (the dad and boys) and left a frisbee.

I went over to the other neighbours next and gave them their frisbee. The mum said thanks but where's the rest? The boys said they'd kicked a few things round today and wanted them back?

I said sorry, not sure what that was but next door have just taken a lot of stuff back from my garden. She said 'without asking us?!' And then she just huffed and said just throw it over next time

What do I do?!

They keep throwing stuff over. DS got hold of one thing the other day and bit into it leaving teeth marks luckily I wasn't confronted about that, and thankfully I was out there when it was kicked over so knew for sure who's garden it had come from

I’d chuck the lot on your drive possibly in the wheelie binand let them sort it out.

They need to write their name of their toys in Sharpie, and work on their aim!!

I'd keep it on the drive to help themselves or in the garage somewhere. If they want it they need to come and ask for it

@burritofan

I’d chuck the lot on your drive possibly in the wheelie binand let them sort it out.

Actually, this!

Ha @BikeRunSki 😁

Tell them to write their house number on their toys if they want them back as you can't be expected to work out who they belong to.

I don't have a garage and my drive isn't really much of a drive. Next door drive past it directly for example

New build - bit of an odd set up

If this continues say you will put anything coming over outside your front fence once a week and they can argue it out between themselves. Bet less comes over.

Tell them both the situation and say you'll only be giving back stuff with a house number on it.

You hold onto everything until a parent comes to the door and asks for a specific item. You don't show them what's come into your garden, they have to describe it and if a child comes and asks you tell them to bring their parent. If it continues with them taking each others stuff, you tell both sets of parents, that due to their behaviour, any item that lands in your garden will be going to a charity shop.

If not drive is available then ask them to write their house numbers on them. Its not your job to know what toy belongs to which house ffs. A small plastic box outside your front door would maybe do. Also, dont be so quick to hand them back and they might be more careful about where they end up!!

I'd tell them both that unless it is clear who owns what , then you will be leaving it at the front door and that they can sort it out between them.

They should be coming to ask for it really. Do you have space in the garden to have a pile? It's a pain really isn't it. Don't want other peoples stuff hanging around .

Chuck the whole lot in you bin and they'll soon learn

No way would I throw anything back!

The children sound like guttersnipes with hapless and unpleasant parents.

Tell them that if anything lands in your garden in future you will pick it up when you choose to and not at their demand and you will put it out the front and they need to keep a look out as to when they want to collect anything!

If they turn nasty, simply bin anything that lands in your garden.

Thank you - I think I will suggest the number thing to both houses

Can I ask what time you think is acceptable to go and knock for something at the latest?

The latest recently was 8pm, but has usually been a regular routine of around 6/7

Can be as early as 8.30 knocking on a Saturday/Sunday but not as regular thankfully (and I don't answer )

This sounds so exhausting OP

Throw everything that comes over into your garden into your rubbish bin. You’ll find that they all quickly become more careful of their toys.

Puncture every ball with a big knife then throw it back, tbh.

Get a taller fence.

Maybe encourage them to throw their stuff over your garden and straight into each other’s ? 🤣

Tell them to mark their house number in sharpie on anything that is likely to come over. If it comes back without a number leave it outside in the front for collection and take no responsibility for it.

Knocking on new neighbours I'd say 10am- 6pm m-f
Weekends more like 12-6, more so if you've a very young child.
That's when I'm available to my neighbours anyway 😁 Once you're more acquainted I guess it'll be different. I like to be left alone though

I would tell them to stop the lids from whacking stuff into your garden

If they insist they put house numbers on otherwise it won’t be returned

When they come to get thing back ask for a description of the item .