Re neighbour objecting to trampolining children watching her eat (allegedly)

[OhNoNotMyBaby]

I have quite a big front garden - just as big as the back in fact. It's bordered on 3 sides by my living room window and high hedges. The 4th side is what was the neighbour's back garden, but is actually their driveway, which is concreted over and houses their 2 cars and a shed. They built an extension on the back of their house which they use as a second dining room.

I have put my trampoline in the front garden because of the size and the privacy and also because it's effectively 'wasted space', ie we don't sit in it, plant it etc. The children do not use the trampoline very often - maybe for 10 minutes every weekend or so.

Neighbour is vehemently objecting to the DCs using the trampoline because "they can see what we're eating." Despite the fact that the DCs aren't in the least bit interested in the neighbours at all, let alone what they might be eating.

So I put up 3 trellises on the 4ft fence, planted bamboos and other shrubs as an additional shield. Not good enough. Neighbour now positions a chair at the window when the DCs are using the trampoline and sits and stares at them fixedly. The DCs obviously find this intimidating. Neighbour also comes out of house with husband in tow and again, just stares at the children.

We had a Chinese exchange student stay for a week. She had never SEEN a trampoline before let alone been on one. She thought it was fantastic - until the neighbours came out and effectively stopped their fun.

I have reported her to the neighbourhood police because of the continued intimidation and harrassment of young children. AIBU?

PS: I don't want it in the back garden because of the rotary dryer, the dog, and the fact that potentially, there are 3 neighbours who overlook the back garden and may complain as well.

trampolining party! Put it on FB and invite the world!

YANBU

Maybe the neighbour just hates the trampoline in general?

My neighbour had a trampoline & their child & his father used to go on in everyday at six am! Every bloody day!
Until I said something to them, so unless it's really early morning I think your neighbours being U.

If my dc use the trampoline they face my house, I have a NDN teenager who constantly uses the trampoline whilst staring into our garden it is really uncomfortable. But as yours is only infrequent then I would not have a problem.

What did the police say to you?

What are they eating?

Is it something secret? Or disgusting? Or maybe illegal?

Does your DCs 10 minutes per week on the trampoline always coincide with the neighbours' mealtime?

Could they not perhaps use their first dining room, as you describe the room in question as a "second dining room".

If they are so incredibly bothered, could they either close the curtains or eat in the kitchen?

They are being awkward for awkward's sake. They just don't approve of trampolines.

Oh, and unless your neighbour is Hannibal Lecter, so what if a couple of children see what they are eating!

She sounds like a loon.

If she is sitting there to deliberately intimidate your children I would seriously keep a diary of when your children are out on the trampoline.

Her original complaint was that she felt "watched" whilst she ate. Avoid her meal times and then she cannot object.

My sister had a very strange neighbour who would object to her opening her bedroom curtains! Because she was stood at the window. Hmm yes for two seconds whilst she opened the other one before going out to work!! I always thought windows were for looking out of.

There's nowt so strange as folk.

Neighbours sound horrible, but maybe ask your kids to face your house when they are bouncing? Then they can't see into the neighbour/can't see the horrible people staring at them.

Give the kids some binoculars, so they can get a really good look. You could even give one a clipboard to make notes.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Very entertaining. I might try naked trampolining just for a laugh - except that after 3 DCs my pelvic floor muscles aren't quite up to it....

The neighbours are definitely loons. I have told the DCs to smile and wave but they are only children and adult behaviour like this IS intimidating.

Our houses are at a 90 degree angle to each other, so it is the neighbours' BACK garden that is adjacent to the trampoline area. If I put the trampoline in my back garden it is then adjacent to 3 other neighbours' back gardens.

It doesn't matter what time of day is it - they still stand and stare.

I do love the suggestion about a running commentary on the menu. I might suggest that.

We're not talking young kids screaming and shouting and laughing here. We're talking about mid-teens having a bounce when they're bored. They sometimes lie on it to read a book when it's sunny.

Neighbours are mid-late 50s. No children. Everything in their garden is just so... (well, from what I can see if I peer through the 10 foot high hedge that completely surrounds the rest of their property.

*Where did the chinese child come from that had never seen a trampoline before ?

Pretty sure they have them over there and TV etc*

They definitely sound as though they value their privacy!

are they cannibals?

Can your children just bounce with their backs to mad neighbour? If she doesn't get any reaction and can't complain that they're looking in she might just find something better to do.

I absolutely hate children bobbing up and down when they can look over neighbours fences. You say you've put it there for 'privacy'. Well if you want privacy why can't they want it as well without your kids boinging above the fence every two minutes?

If it's spoiling the children's fun have you thought about having the trampoline sunk into the ground? My sister has that and her kids can only dream of bouncing as high as the fence

That's a very good idea Lyra was going to ask if you have security netting round the trampoline? This would also provide a bit more sceening between dc and ndn.
Fwiw I would find it irritating have children or teenagers staring at me as well, can't they face towards your house since they are in there mid teens they should be able to do this.

Is there more to this story?

To have

Op did say that pike