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Original poster

Kids balls in my garden

30 replies

Springsummer23 · 15/04/2023 15:37

Next doors kids keep kicking their footballs over the fence . When I hear it go over I throw it back within seconds but if it's happend without me knowing. Then my dogs get the balls and burst them within seconds.

I feels bad for the kids . I'm thinking of getting a wireless bell . So they can have the button part and I will have the bell bit. So as soon as the ball gos over they could buzz it. So I know its there and can throw bit straight back. Does that sound like it could work?

OP posts:
SunnySaturdayMorning · 15/04/2023 15:38

I would just pop and bin. They’ll soon learn to stay within their own boundary.

kitsuneghost · 15/04/2023 15:40

Yeah it possibly would. But rather you than me. Don't think i could be bothered going out retreiving balls on demand.

Barleymilk · 15/04/2023 15:40

That sounds very kind and thoughtful of you,but honestly what a hassle. They need to learn to be more careful and it's not your responsibility if the dog gets to the ball

BunnyFun · 15/04/2023 15:42

Can their parents put up a net to stop the ball getting in your garden?

getthewashinginbeforethespidersrubtheirwillies · 15/04/2023 15:43

You much nicer than me I’d be letting the dog destroy everyone before I threw it back

They need to more careful or play somewhere else

Ylvamoon · 15/04/2023 15:43

I wouldn't bother with the bell - to much hassle.

You can't "patrol" your garden just in case a ball may fly over the fence and the dog eats it.
The kids will soon learn not to kick it over the fence!

Pringleface · 15/04/2023 15:44

Are you mad? Don’t provide them with a bell to summon you to throw their balls back! That’s total doormat behaviour.

Let thé balls stay in the garden. If your dog pops them then tough luck. If they keep losing them, they’ll soon learn not to kick them over.

Redebs · 15/04/2023 15:45

Springsummer23 · 15/04/2023 15:37

Next doors kids keep kicking their footballs over the fence . When I hear it go over I throw it back within seconds but if it's happend without me knowing. Then my dogs get the balls and burst them within seconds.

I feels bad for the kids . I'm thinking of getting a wireless bell . So they can have the button part and I will have the bell bit. So as soon as the ball gos over they could buzz it. So I know its there and can throw bit straight back. Does that sound like it could work?

Good idea.
probably best to put an aduĺt in charge of it.

SnarkyBag · 15/04/2023 15:46

Sod that! You’re already being more than kind. We used to have this problem which funnily enough stopped when a ball once inadvertently landed on a pile of ddog’s fresh poop. Told them they were welcome to collect but would need to give it a rinse.

Redebs · 15/04/2023 15:47

Sad that people are so mean about children playing

kitsuneghost · 15/04/2023 15:48

Redebs · 15/04/2023 15:47

Sad that people are so mean about children playing

Where is anyone being mean about kids playing??

megletthesecond · 15/04/2023 15:56

The parents need to put a net up really.

I don't have a dog but always chuck balls back or pop them in my front garden so the kids can pick them up. No skin off my nose. My ring doorbell is mainly used so the kids can tell me they've kicked a ball over.

Original poster
Springsummer23 · 15/04/2023 16:14

megletthesecond · 15/04/2023 15:56

The parents need to put a net up really.

I don't have a dog but always chuck balls back or pop them in my front garden so the kids can pick them up. No skin off my nose. My ring doorbell is mainly used so the kids can tell me they've kicked a ball over.

Yes mine would be kind of simlar. But at the back of my house so I don't need to walk to the front then to the back 😅

OP posts:
Original poster
Springsummer23 · 15/04/2023 16:16

Redebs · 15/04/2023 15:47

Sad that people are so mean about children playing

I have my own children. Although they don't play with footballs /things that can go over the fence. I would still feel bad for them if their game was ruined . They are not out there loads either

OP posts:
Xjshdvf · 15/04/2023 16:17

You’re very kind but after a handful of times you’d think they’d have learnt

thistimelastweek · 15/04/2023 16:23

I think you sound lovely.

The present arrangement sounds fine; you do your best, they take their chances with the dog.

Amispringy · 15/04/2023 16:49

Redebs · 15/04/2023 15:47

Sad that people are so mean about children playing

What?

justanotherdrama · 16/04/2023 11:01

We had this at our old house it was relentless! Some weeks there was 6-8 balls in there!!!!! I used to throw them all back over but it used to get a bit much in the summer especially if we were sat out bbq'ing or whatever and randome balls came over the fence!

MrsTWH · 16/04/2023 11:27

As a parent of two boys, footballs going over the fence was a regular occurrence. I put up a net, put some padding against the fences, were not allowed to scream and shout, told them they were not to bother the neighbours by constant knocking for their lost balls and took over numerous bottles of wine as an apology. Generally they did their best not to kick the balls over and to play nicely. But if they had friends round, they were often less careful. If they’re kicking balls over, they do have to accept that the dog might get them first! That’s life, natural consequences…

I would much rather they were outside playing (in their own gardens, not in the street kicking balls against someone’s wall or whatever) compared to being inside gaming constantly. And it totally boils my piss when people say “just pop the balls and bin them”. They are children playing! Don’t buy a family sized house in an estate full of kids if you don’t want to hear child noise or deal with the odd football.

We moved eventually because my boys were continually threatened by one set of neighbours while they were playing nicely in their garden by that if the ball touched the fence (MY fence!!) they “wouldn’t be held responsible for their actions”. Kids need to learn to play respectfully but equally they need to not be too scared to play in their own garden because adults threaten them or destroy their property.

My kids are grown teens now and can go to the park with their mates to play footie now. We also moved to a house behind a playground/park and continually get balls kicked over from
kids in the park. They are all respectful and knock politely for their balls. I have zero issue with this, I let them come round the side of the house and have a look in the garden for themselves and will chuck balls back when I spot them come over. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest, I’m glad they’re out having fun. Cycle of life - pay back for all my kid’s footballs! The little girls high-pitched screaming in the park bothers me much more 😂

OP, instead of being at their beck and call with a bell - could you just have an agreement with them that they can let themselves into your garden to retrieve their own balls at certain times without bothering you? Or would this cause an issue with your dog?

SunnySaturdayMorning · 16/04/2023 11:36

@MrsTWH The odd football coming over isn’t a problem.

More than one a day and they’re getting popped and binned.

If they don’t like that they need to either play in a park where there’s more room and they’re not disturbing people, or learn to be more careful.

kitsuneghost · 16/04/2023 17:26

SunnySaturdayMorning · 16/04/2023 11:36

@MrsTWH The odd football coming over isn’t a problem.

More than one a day and they’re getting popped and binned.

If they don’t like that they need to either play in a park where there’s more room and they’re not disturbing people, or learn to be more careful.

Unfortunately uou get too many dogs in the park for kids to play in peace.

Vivalaive · 16/04/2023 17:39

Or save your sanity and tell them to stop kicking the balls over as dogs will burst them. Soon get the message. I’m sorry but I’m all for kids playing but parent supervision is lacking these days.

Original poster
Springsummer23 · 16/04/2023 17:56

SunnySaturdayMorning · 16/04/2023 11:36

@MrsTWH The odd football coming over isn’t a problem.

More than one a day and they’re getting popped and binned.

If they don’t like that they need to either play in a park where there’s more room and they’re not disturbing people, or learn to be more careful.

The kids in my case are 9. And don't go to the park on their own .

Purposely popping a kids ball is awful and cruel. Ok maybe make them wait a bit. But popping their balls is nasty

OP posts:
Mamapiggywig · 16/04/2023 18:00

I wouldn’t give them a bell, just throw back when you can. You shouldn’t be at their beck and call, but just throw back balls when you ca . That’s what I do.
i did go a bit mad when they threw over a golf club, that skimmed my cat who was sunning himself, but balls I will happily chuck back.

Original poster
Springsummer23 · 16/04/2023 18:02

MrsTWH · 16/04/2023 11:27

As a parent of two boys, footballs going over the fence was a regular occurrence. I put up a net, put some padding against the fences, were not allowed to scream and shout, told them they were not to bother the neighbours by constant knocking for their lost balls and took over numerous bottles of wine as an apology. Generally they did their best not to kick the balls over and to play nicely. But if they had friends round, they were often less careful. If they’re kicking balls over, they do have to accept that the dog might get them first! That’s life, natural consequences…

I would much rather they were outside playing (in their own gardens, not in the street kicking balls against someone’s wall or whatever) compared to being inside gaming constantly. And it totally boils my piss when people say “just pop the balls and bin them”. They are children playing! Don’t buy a family sized house in an estate full of kids if you don’t want to hear child noise or deal with the odd football.

We moved eventually because my boys were continually threatened by one set of neighbours while they were playing nicely in their garden by that if the ball touched the fence (MY fence!!) they “wouldn’t be held responsible for their actions”. Kids need to learn to play respectfully but equally they need to not be too scared to play in their own garden because adults threaten them or destroy their property.

My kids are grown teens now and can go to the park with their mates to play footie now. We also moved to a house behind a playground/park and continually get balls kicked over from
kids in the park. They are all respectful and knock politely for their balls. I have zero issue with this, I let them come round the side of the house and have a look in the garden for themselves and will chuck balls back when I spot them come over. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest, I’m glad they’re out having fun. Cycle of life - pay back for all my kid’s footballs! The little girls high-pitched screaming in the park bothers me much more 😂

OP, instead of being at their beck and call with a bell - could you just have an agreement with them that they can let themselves into your garden to retrieve their own balls at certain times without bothering you? Or would this cause an issue with your dog?

I can't do that because of my dogs . Maybe the bell idea was going a bit far though. Maybe I will just carry on as I am . But just let them know its fine to shout over to get my attention.

OP posts: