Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Balls over the fence - how often should I throw them back?

27 replies

CulinaryUnderbelly · 21/04/2018 16:18

Next door neighbour's child is hoofing at least one a day into my garden and if I don't throw it back within a couple of days I get a note through my door asking me to return it.

WIBU to wait a week and throw them back all at once? I have a disc bulge and it hurts to bend over

OP posts:

Sirzy · 21/04/2018 16:20

One a day? I would be telling them to be more careful and be tempted to refuse to throw them back at all!

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 21/04/2018 16:20

Ignore the notes and let them come and get them themselves?

nellieellie · 21/04/2018 16:21

I think it’s reasonable to throw it back when you’re next in the garden if it’s become a regular thing. Put a note through their door saying you can’t bend over without pain, so you’re quite happy to return them all at the end of the week but won’t be doing it on a daily basis.

SilverHairedCat · 21/04/2018 16:24

Knock their door and explain you can't pick them up, so you won't be able to do it more often, but that you're not withholding them to upset them.

And ask if they could do anything to prevent them coming over in the first place because of the pain for you in dealing with it.

mrsmuddlepies · 21/04/2018 16:24

Don't give them a free pass to collect. I have had 6 foot , 18 year old males clambering over and damaging our fence to get their football back. If they have to come round and knock, at least they and you are aware of how often it is happening.

Pengggwn · 21/04/2018 16:27

Just ignore the notes and throw them back when you feel up to it. Or, if you're feeling polite, write a note explaining that it hurts you to bend and you will only be throwing balls back when you feel up to it. No, don't tell them to come in whenever and get them. They need to avoid the issue by not kicking the balls over.

Idontdowindows · 21/04/2018 16:36

I would simply let them know that you are unable to return them regularly and you will not allow them into your garden so they should exercise caution when kicking in the direction of your garden, as you do not know when you'll be able to return the ball.

Original poster

CulinaryUnderbelly · 21/04/2018 16:39

If I don't throw them back straight away they hassle me. On previous occasions, the father has come into my garden to retrieve them, without asking.

OP posts:

IHaveBrilloHair · 21/04/2018 16:40

Everytime, but burst them first.

Pengggwn · 21/04/2018 16:41

That is outrageous. Remind him that it is trespassing! What security do you have?

Noodledoodledoo · 21/04/2018 17:03

I was playing with my kids in the garden this week and the kids next door intentionally threw the ball over, then pretty much demanded I threw it back. I ignored as there were no please/thanks etc. Then it was demanded again, I said yes in a minute I am bit busy - I was doing sand art with my two under 4's (mad but no mess inside!) I sent my 3 year old to throw it back but she was a bit rubbish!

I did throw it back, but then another ball came over shortly followed by a frisbee and the same demands occurred. I waited till I tidied up my garden.

Am dreading the world cup as they have lots of people over for every match and we end up with multiple balls in the garden. I lost it 2 years ago as we had just got my newborn off to sleep and they came round and hammered on the bell and door - my response was you have just woken up my baby - the balls will be put back in the morning!

HopeClearwater · 21/04/2018 17:05

Everytime, but burst them first

Spiteful!

Just throw them back when you can. The kids and their parents will be grateful and they grow out of it soon enough.

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 21/04/2018 17:07

Brilliant thread title. I was going to ask how low your fence is.

jelliebelly · 21/04/2018 17:09

Just throw them back whenever you can - if you let them know you struggle to do this I’m sure they will be understanding

Smeddum · 21/04/2018 17:11

I throw them back every time, but I don’t have a disc bulge which is painful so that’s different.
They have no right to either hassle you or to enter your garden without permission, so since they’ve been dicks first I’d go with bursting them. Nasty it may be, but I bet they don’t keep chucking balls over! Parents are being shitty.

junebirthdaygirl · 21/04/2018 17:13

If it wasn't for your disc l would say throw it back when you can each day. We were all children once. But due to back could you say when you see my car knock and you can run in and get them all. Maybe having to do a bit of work collecting them will make him more careful. I could never keep a childs ball but then l live out the country so its not an issue. Also have two football crazy..now grown..dss. One neighbour l know kept them all and then on Christmas morning dumped them on their living room floor. The lad was thrilled but thought his neighbour was a batty old witch.

FuzzyCustard · 21/04/2018 17:19

I'm afraid this would send me bonkers. I love my garden and if their ball-throwing was damaging my plants I'd be most upset. I think I'd take a few days worth of balls back, speak to the parents and see if there is a way it can stop.

Clevs · 21/04/2018 17:28

When I used to kick balls over the fence as a kid I was made to go and ask for them back and to apologise. I didn't like doing it so it was an incentive for me to be more careful.

My neighbours kids balls are always coming into my garden and I generally don't throw them back until I'm next in the garden or they come and ask for them.

flowerslemonade · 21/04/2018 17:29

Throw them over the other side

PotteringAlong · 21/04/2018 17:31

Just throw them over when you see them. It takes 5 seconds max.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/04/2018 17:34

That would drive me mad. I’d probably throw them back once a week. It’s fine if it happens occasionally but if it’s a regular thing the children need to learn to be more careful.

As for the father coming in to get the ball without asking I’d tell him not to do it again and turn the hose on him if he did.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/04/2018 17:35

@PotteringAlong, the OP has a disc problem and can’t bend without pain. Why should she have to keep throwing them back and causing herself pain?

Aeroflotgirl · 21/04/2018 17:35

Isent it easier just to throw it back. I would rather, than them keep knocking my door. I a day is not much.

Aeroflotgirl · 21/04/2018 17:36

Oh right, OK op has a back problem, so bending down is hard. Just tell them to knock and get it.

TERFragetteCity · 21/04/2018 17:36

Isent it easier just to throw it back. I would rather, than them keep knocking my door. I a day is not much.

Not if you can't pick them up, no.

Flip

1 2