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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be cross with my neighbour about this.

57 replies

eskimofriends · 19/07/2012 17:45

My son and nephew (15 and 12) were playing cricket in the garden. First time in ages (bally weather!). Anyway, the ball went over the fence. The boys, polite as you like, asked the neighbour for the ball back.
She told them she'll get it in the morning when she puts her washing out. And if they want to play cricket they should go to the park.
I'm fuming. Quite apart from the fact that my 14month old twins can't go out there because her 3 cats constantly come over the fence into our garden, AIBU to expect someone who lives in a 3 bed semi (i.e. family type housing) to be a bit more considerate of kids. It's the first time it's gone over.

(The boys are now back on the PS3. No wonder we have an obesity crisis.)

OP posts:
pictish · 19/07/2012 17:46

Why do her cats prevent your children from going in the garden pray tell?

Yanbu - but she probably didn't want to set a precedence of retrieving it for them time and again.

Methe · 19/07/2012 17:48

Super soaker for the cats ( apparently if you put winegar in the water it pisses them off so much they stop coming back)

Uzi for the neighbour..

CailinDana · 19/07/2012 17:48

In my old house kids used to ask for their ball back all the time and it was bloody fecking annoying. I didn't feel like traipsing through wet grass looking for a ball. I got it for them a few times but then eventually I said the next time it went in I was keeping it. It didn't go in our garden any more.

I wouldn't be too happy with kids playing cricket near my house due to the danger of windows being smashed - what she said about the park wasn't really that harsh.

Out of interest what stops your twins going in the garden? Are the cats dangerous or something?

headfairy · 19/07/2012 17:48

She's being a bit mean. If she didn't want to set a precedence then she could say something like "I'll get it once but I don't want to keep going out there so this is the last time I'll get it"

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 19/07/2012 17:49

Your neighbour is VERY unneighbourly. YANBU. But the cat thing is a bit of a quizzical thing. Yes, I used "thing" twice - can't be bothered to think of another word. I am on leave as of an hour ago Grin and do not want to think of another word. It will interfere with my wine slurping.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 19/07/2012 17:50

Sorry but it's annoying.

I have 2 footie mad boys who are banned from playing with a ball in our garden simply because our neighbours are lovely and knocking on their door for their ball is a PITA.

Olympia2012 · 19/07/2012 17:50

A proper cricket ball??

waterwatereverywhere · 19/07/2012 17:51

YANBU to expect her to return the ball once or twice (unless she is elderly/disabled and unable to get in the garden.)

However I lived in a 3 bed semi 'family size' home pre-kids (in preparation for having a family I suppose) and I have to say there were times when I did object to the neighbours boys :-

  1. kicking a football repeatedly against the fence for hours on end
  2. kicking said football into my plants 7 or 8 times an evening then coming round and leaning on the doorbell until I answered
  3. sitting on the adjoining fence and staring in my back windows until I had retrieved ball (regardless of if i was eating dinner/working/on the phone)

But then they were the family from Hell in a number of other ways Grin

Original poster
eskimofriends · 19/07/2012 17:52

The cats are very territorial - think our garden is their territory and snarl if disturbed. Ok for me but terrifying for a crawling baby.

OP posts:
TheEnthusiasticTroll · 19/07/2012 17:53

was it a hard cricket ball? If so then YABU, However I think at age if they want to pelt the ball they should go to the park other wise they need to have enogh controle to no have it go over the fence.

she was a bit grumpy to not get the ball and then warn she wont be getting it again.

squeakytoy · 19/07/2012 17:55

Garden are not really suitable for playing cricket in unless you have a very large garden.

Cricket balls by the very nature of the game get hit long distances and are highly likely to hit a window. Even a tennis ball could break a window when hit with force too.

If there is a park nearby, why cant they go and play there?

Original poster
eskimofriends · 19/07/2012 17:56

Oh god not a proper cricket ball. Not even a tennis ball. A sort of half sponge half rubber thing. (I can do without the broken windows too)

OP posts:
SarahStratton · 19/07/2012 17:56

Arf at terrifying, snarling cats.

I'm afraid I think the average garden, including mine, is too small for ball games.

squeakytoy · 19/07/2012 17:57

Get a water pistol.. her cats will soon stop being territorial if you arm your toddlers! Grin

DoingTheBestICan · 19/07/2012 17:57

I would see how territorial the cats feel with a super soaker up their arses.

pictish · 19/07/2012 17:57

Super soakers for the cats then! Scooshy scooshy get to fuck!!

littlemissbroody26 · 19/07/2012 17:57

I think it depends how big the garden is, if you have loads of space and they are batting away from the windows i can't see it's a problem.

I'd send the boys over to get the ball.. just get a step ladder out.

Oh and definatly get a water gun for the cats.. that might keep the boys entertained!

SaraBellumHertz · 19/07/2012 17:58

Your neighbour is a meanie

WorraLiberty · 19/07/2012 17:58

I hope they were playing with a soft ball?

If it really was the first time then she's being a bit mean no to throw it back

The fact your kids don't have a spare ball, does not create an obesity epidemic though Confused

And as for the cats, I don't believe they prevent your kids from playing in your garden...sorry.

Original poster
eskimofriends · 19/07/2012 18:03

But would I be justified in saying if you don't return our ball from your garden we ain't returning your cat from ours?

OP posts:
Fourfingerkitkat · 19/07/2012 18:03

What if the cats are s*ing all over her garden Worraliberty ? I'd ask her if she minded the boys nipping quickly into her garden to get the ball and save her the trouble.

WorraLiberty · 19/07/2012 18:07

Then you clear it up Four, just like when foxes and birds shit in your garden.

It's not nice, but unless she never wants to enter it again it has to be done.

However, since the OP's last post I think she's just bored and being ridiculous.

mynewpassion · 19/07/2012 18:07

I thought you were afraid of the cats? Do you really want her to call the police on your for kidnapping her cat?

Original poster
eskimofriends · 19/07/2012 18:16

I'm not actually going to catnap her cats. Just making the point (badly perhaps) that we're neighbours. Her cats come into our garden. Our ball goes into theirs. It's about give and take. Just feel she can't have it both ways.

OP posts:
SofaKing · 19/07/2012 18:27

Definitely water pistol for the cats. And I have two I'm very fond of.

My ndn son used to come to the door when he had kicked his ball over - I'd kick it back myself if I happened to notice it. Its no big deal so I suppose this is her passive aggressive way of objecting to your boys playing outside or daring to get a ball in her garden. Have you thought of returning any cat poo to her is a bag as she obviously has an issue with other peoples property in her garden so will be very understanding Wink

I miss ndn son as he plays in the park now he is older. Sometimes it was nice to have my afternoon brightened up by an unexpected visitor!