Children playing with balls

[kappadelta]

I'm really not sure if I am or not. My 14 year old never hangs about on our estate. There are a few of them who get together at various homes, mine included.

Anyway last night he had a friend stop and they have just taken a ball out to go and play kurby?

A lady on the estate who I have spoken to in the past generally chit chat about the weather but also she said she had moved from her last home because of kids
has just told him and his friend to stop playing with the ball as she's trying to work and asked him where he lives.

Now DH has told me off before for being a helicopter parent being over the top in making sure the children are aware of others and understanding boundaries.

So I'm not sure if to take my son round to apologise to this woman and to tell my son never to do this again or to tell me son as long as the ball is not hitting homes, walls, gardens going onto drives that he can play where he likes?

Thanks all in advance.

The boys were playing 20 feet from her house. That should be ok. And it is an unoccupied house - even better.

When we were playing kerby in the 80s we used to go to the place with the highest kerb about 100 yards away from our house, as did most of the kids. We never had a complaint.

If you live in a built-up area you have to allow for normal neighbourhood goings-on. That might be a lawnmower, kids screaming, a barbecue, a bonfire etc. You also have to drive your car slowly around corners. You should always be able to safely stop within the distance you can see to be clear anyway. It shouldn't matter if kids are sitting by the side of the road or playing kerby or whatever.

The woman sounds like a grumpy old cow.

I actively encourage my children to play ball games in the cul-de-sac outside our house. They're only little, so I or another neighbour (with children) will supervise, but if can't wait until they're old enough to be sent out on their own.

I honestly didn't know if I was being unreasonable or not. I being him up to be respectful and aware of boundaries so he just slunk off after she had shouted at him.

Being - bring

We used to have children kicking a ball around outside our house. It would regularly be kicked into the cars on our drive and they would run all over the drive and garden to retrieve the ball. I don't understand why they couldn't kick the ball outside their own houses and into their parents cars.
However if your DS wasn't kicking the ball onto her property or against her walls, I think she probably has to suck up the noise.

MrsCakes - I would have been absolutely mortified if my children did this and it would be the first and last time they ever did. Other peoples property and belongings need to be respected.

I live in a cul de sac and love hearing children playing outside, as long as they're not bouncing their ball off my property.
Have just had to tell boys to stop hitting ball against my garage door, dog thinks someone is breaking in and is barking and howling and generally going ballistic.

If you your house is on a public road/path then you don't get to stop the public from using it in a lawful way.

Just the same as you can't stop cars parking on it. I'm afraid it's tough the users being children makes no difference.

I'd have told my DS that if she has an issue to come to my door!!

Children should be allowed to play!!!!

There's all was some that needs to complain....

She sounds like our former next door neighbours. We live on relatively new estate and there is a car park at the back where all the drives/back gardens are. The kids play football, on their scooters and bikes around the car park. Next door neighbours would scream at the kids if they went near their cars. Instead of just parking on their drive. Eventually one of the mums came over and very reasonably asked them not to scream at her children. And if they had problem come and talk to her first as it was quite frightening for the children to have 3 grown men constantly shouting at them. Bunch of wusses shit themselves (big enough to shout at kids, not big enough when confronted by an adult).

They didn't have a problem playing their music at full volume constantly into the early hours of the morning though even after being asked to turn it down. Nor did they have a problem smoking weed constantly and sticking the whole street out. It seems they expected respect from other people but weren't prepared to respect everyone else. Dickheads! Thankfully they moved out last week after crying because they were told off. We've been celebrating every since.

I'm not sure if to take my son round to apologise to this woman and to tell my son never to do this again

That couse of action would be vvv ur. Tell your son to never play out in the street again?

Unless he's making a lot of noise (ie screeching) or being a nusiance wirh the ball then leave him play. And tell the old bag to do one if she comes round.

Tell her to move again.

Even if it did disturb her there is no automatic right not to be disturbed.

For example I can complain about music at 4am and say that is unreasonable, but not about someone playing music in the daytime that isn't my favourite kind.

My kids play out but insist they use soft balls. I live in dread of a knock on the door because of a dented car. It is hard on my kids because other kids are allowed harder balls.
Don't live on a new estate if you don't like kids playing.
I think it is healthy for them to be out.

Scarlett - you have hit the nail on the head about expecting respect but not actually respecting others

We have a grassed area at the back of our house which is marked on the original estate plans (1964) as a children's play area. That doesn't stop one particular homeowner complaining every time a ball goes (accidentally) near his fence or the children start making what he considers to be too much noise. What's even worse is that he's chair of board of governors at the local primary school! Must really love children then!!

I live at the end of a cul de sac the kids play kerby outside my house the ball hits my car my plants my front door I tell them to go elsewhere my property is not their playground go up the park if you want to play with a ball

We used to have a boy constantly kick his ball off our wall, over and over and over.... the noise was so annoying and the wall was starting to crumble slightly but still I said nothing for the sake of neighbourly relations and because I cannot help but like to see children out playing and not stuck indoors. Your ds did nothing as bad as that, you defo shouldn't have him apologise!