To be cross with my neighbour about this.

[eskimofriends]

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 have you thought about getting a dog to solve the cat problem?

Tell dog 'cat' open door and let the dog chase it - Shouldn't take long for the cat to realise that your garden is no longer safe dogs are very rarely fast enough to catch them any way

Dogs also love to snack on cat poo

Re - the ball thing as long as it doesn't become a habit - the kids on my old road used to knock for the ball 3-4 times a day in summer and used to climb over my wall if they were ignored I was either in the shower or having tea didn't half yell at them (the wall has loads of loose bits and I wasn't prepared to be held liable if they injured themselves)

If she gets the ball for them this time she'll have them knocking every single time that is annoying.

I say this as parent of three ball loving boys who have been banned from using them anywhere other than on the green/in the park.

I don't want to listen to the thud/bounce of a ball for longer than 3 mins so I can't see why my neighbour would.

The cats-water gun. But I don't believe they are the snarly tigers you are making them out to be. Cats either come up all friendly and happy rubbing on you leg. Or they look at you like yessss can I help you or they scarper.

YABU

Our gardens in this country, even in the countryside, are , unfortunately, mostly too small to play ball games. In the 50's we played them in the street, when cars were rare, but those times have gone. So neighbours must be more tolerant, and playing cricket with a soft ball, can do no damage, and neighbour was not friendly. If elderly, as i am, bending down to pick things up from the ground and even throwing things are painful, so I would agree to the boys picking the ball up themselves, or you, but may not be convenient if entry is through their house, but as only happened once in 2 years, I suspect she is an older type woman, but still could have been nicer about an obvious accident

with all due respect, and said kindly digerd, but can you please stop resurrecting old threads; if you have a burning issue then start a fresh one

folk on here get a bit grumpy when they waste time reading/contributing to dead (''zombie'') threads

cheers m'dear

ps. As cats are what they are, there is no law at all about them. A water pistol will not harm them, just frighten them and they will instantly learn. But they wiil be clever and look around first to see if all is clear !!!! Yes a dog would be a deterrant, but cats love to sit on the fence and provoke them into leaping up and barking, knowing the dog can't reach them. Congratulations on your 14 months twins, you have a lot of work on your hands, pity your neighbour does not baby sit for yopu while you are shopping etc

I get balls in my garden from an adjoining street and 2 sweet shy little boys come and ask politely to retrieve them. They do no damage, why ever wouldn't anyone be happy to help kids playing outside as we all did when we were young?