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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

More of a WWYD...balls going over fence

137 replies

Psipsina · 02/05/2015 17:48

I'm feeling a bit pissed off but maybe unjustly...our toddler managed to throw a ball off the balcony, and it bounced off and went into next door's garden. It was there for about a day, still there this morning, and I assumed they would throw it back - we could have asked for it but I didn't like to bother them - but when we went into the garden this afternoon they told ds1 that their dog had attacked it and it was no more.

If their son's ball had come over into our garden, and one of our pets had destroyed it I would offer to replace it. But maybe I'm being daft?

Ds3 just woke up crying about his ball, it was his favourite and he is only 2 Sad

We have got him two more similar ones but I just thought it was a bit unkind to leave it there till their dog got it then not even really give a stuff.

They seem like very nice people normally. Maybe they are pissed off that it went over but our balls very rarely do as I don't let the older ones play with them in the garden for this very reason.

OP posts:
Pointlessfan · 04/05/2015 06:26

We always throw balls back but if we're out when it lands in the garden we don't know which side neighbour it has come from so we leave it until they come and ask.

Original poster
Psipsina · 04/05/2015 06:30

Oh FFS.

seeing as no one has told me they'd prefer to be disturbed while working or whatever.

No one had, in the entire duration of the thread at that point. Including the time since I had asked the question, which was ignored by the person who had just been posting about my 'not being bothered' to go and knock for it, and the four other people who had posted since I'd asked.

Are you really going to fill your entire day with an analysis of my every word? Do you even give a shit how impatient I am? I thought not.

OP posts:
Original poster
Psipsina · 04/05/2015 06:31

and in fact no one has actually answered the question since, either. But do feel free to ignore that fact as it may prejudice the argument slightly in favour of my original position, if people really think about it.

Christ.

OP posts:
ThumbWitchesAbroad · 04/05/2015 06:36

Should have gone and asked them for it straight away if it was his favourite ball, honestly you should.

When we were little we were always accidentally getting the ball over the 4' fence into next door's - we just went and knocked, they let us through the house to fetch it. No drama.

FeckoffandDie · 04/05/2015 06:41

Thanks Thumb. I know this now but you are kind to give a straight answer. Brew

I have changed my name and decided to go and boil my head for a while as it will be more fun I think. Smile

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 04/05/2015 06:42

In answer to your specific question then - I'd have rather you knocked and asked for it back. As an adult, I had 3 boys living next door to me - they would come and ask for their ball back as well, I'd just let them through to the garden to fetch it, or go and do it myself.

I work on the principle that they probably want to continue with their game.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 04/05/2015 06:43

Oh dear - AIBU "burn", eh? Don't boil your head, it'll only shrink. Wink
Have more Brew and maybe some Cake

SoldierBear · 04/05/2015 06:43

Please stop ranting, go back and read the thread (like you've just demanded others do)

I did answer that question.

But feel free to ignore that as it may prejudice your unjustified strop.

I'll repeat it though: I prefer people to ring the bell, explain, apologise and collect in that order. Not presume I'm watching my garden like a hawk 24/7,

Actually, as I also said above, the kids round here have been told they can go straight into my garden to collect balls. Because I'm reasonable about it.

Icimoi · 04/05/2015 07:51

OP, if you're going to assume I'm being unkind to a 2 year old because I haven't returned a ball I didn't know was there then yes, I would rather that you possibly disturbed me by knocking on the door and telling me about it.

ScotsWhaHae · 04/05/2015 08:15

Everyone needs to get over the ball, not just the op. Some people like to do the aibu wind up, leave them to it op, do not engage!

dangerrabbit · 04/05/2015 09:16

Personally, if it was my DS' favourite ball, yes I would have gone and asked for it back - and I would prefer my neighbours to do the same to me. Are you sure they even knew who the ball came from, anyway? If a ball comes into our garden it's not always clear to us which neighbour it has come from

AndWhenYouGetThere · 04/05/2015 20:35

You are assuming far too much here. They can let their dog out without doing a situational assessment first.

Next time, ask for it back or consider it gone. Don't expect them to look after it if they don't know it exists.

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