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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wish that balls (not human) were never invented?

60 replies

WaxOnFeckOff · 21/05/2018 18:39

Jeez, it's nice to see kids out playing but the bounce bounce bounce is driving me up the wall!

Every time I see one of those US programs with the kids/teens out playing basketball on their driveway in the evening always makes me wonder why some neighbour hasn't taken a baseball bat to them.

I'm clearly not very noise tolerant.

OP posts:
MumofBoysx2 · 22/05/2018 14:58

If kids are having a nice time and not hurting anyone I wouldn't find the noise annoying - nice that they are out in the fresh air and not getting up to mischief. Bit uncomfortable reading that you 'always wonder why' no one is 'taking a baseball bat' to children. I WOULD wonder why they might even think something like that, personally!!

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/05/2018 15:00

Not sure who rattled your cage smith but clearly having "worked in a planning office for a bit" and being an "urbanist" whatever the feck that is, you are an expert.

I have a life thanks very much, part of that is being able to relax of an evening and listen to music or watch tv or whatever the feck I want to in the comfort of my own home.

I don't think there is anyone on this thread that has said that they don't want children out playing or disagree with reasonable play noise, but having your peace constantly disturbed and property damaged in order to accommodate kids that could go to a park is antisocial in the same way as loud music and car horns. A constant bouncing ball can be like water torture and how has anyone suggested making anyone else miserable?

I do however totally agree with you saying I'm saying that living within a community requires consideration and flexibility from everyone. That includes the parents of the children doing damage and being antisocial given in the examples above.

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9amTrain · 22/05/2018 18:36

I agree. I hate bouncing balls. :(

odig · 22/05/2018 19:57

Our garage window is next to the neighbours garden, DH discovered the window smashed in and his much loved soft top sports car covered in glass, in fact the whole garage was covered in glass.

Of course they denied all knowledge. Confused

So yes OP, I hate balls too, the kids the other side have just landed their football on my petunias, they're nice kids though and I always chuck the balls back.

Chickoletta · 22/05/2018 22:24

We once lived opposite (across a very narrow lane) from a family with 2 teenage boys who spent hours on end kicking a football against their metal garage door. I nearly lost my fucking sanity totally. When U complained about the noise their dad was very condescending and suggested that I didn't understand teenagers. I was Head of Year 11 at the local school at the time and did not take kindly to that...!

smithsinarazz · 22/05/2018 22:36

Ah, come on, Wax, you march, so to speak, onto a public platform sounding off like the nasty character in a Roald Dahl book about how you'd like to attack children with a baseball bat for playing, and you expect me to feel sorry for you? Idiot.

Actually, you know, legally speaking I suspect I am the expert on the subject in hand - I mean, because an expert is the person present who knows the most about something, and, God, I've been listening to misanthropes whinging on to the Council about kids playing/ the neighbours' fence/ weddings/ washing on balconies (I am NOT exaggerating) for decades. And it's pathetic.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/05/2018 22:49

Ah smith I didn't realise you were the foremost authority here. But it's strange that you seem to struggle with the simple act of actually reading and not just jumping into your own rant, And as for marching onto a public platform, who is posting on who's thread here? Hmm

If you read what I said about the baseball bat Every time I see one of those US programs with the kids/teens out playing basketball on their driveway in the evening always makes me wonder why some neighbour hasn't taken a baseball bat to them.

I don't think I ever said I'd like to hit anyone with a baseball bat...like a Roald Dahl character or otherwise.

I didn't want you to feel sorry for me either. You've got some imagination for someone of limited intellect. Maybe you should go have a lie down for a bit?

Can you please send me the link to your legal qualifications as I'd be absolutely fascinated how someone who worked in a planning office "for a bit" became such an expert. Do you mean you work in a council office? Yes listening to that for decades must be miserable, it makes me wonder why you wouldn't just get a better job?

It would be unreasonable of me to actually complain that the ball noise is annoying in my specific circumstance but I am perfectly entitled to feel that it is annoying.

The others on this thread are also perfectly entitled to their feelings and given that some have suffered actual physical damage I also think they are entitled to complain.

You clearly have your own agenda to pursue so feel free to crack on as I couldn't give a jot.

OP posts:
UrgentScurryfunge · 22/05/2018 22:52

When my then 2 year old gleefully discovered that he could kick the balls over a 6ft fence and kicked them all over within 2 minutes, he was made to wait to get them back. He pretty quickly learned that kicking the ball over equals game over until either the neighbours chuck it back at their convenience or we've saved a few up for a while, but right from the start I wasn't going to have him expecting them back ASAP with minimal consequence to him. The garden isn't huge, but a few years on and he does a reasonable job of keeping them contained... unless his classmate/ best mate is out too and they play volleyball over the fence together...

Children playing should be a thing of joy, but there does need to be some boundaries and consideration of environment.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/05/2018 22:59

As long as the balls aren't being booted at the fence, I don't have an issue with them being asked for back but I tend to limit them to a 2 or 3 times an evening. They come and collect them all in one go. When it gets too often, they get told that that's their last time to knock for the day so they can either wait until we are next out the back when we will throw them all back or come again the next day. I don't want to spoil their fun but there are boundaries. The neighbours are pretty good about keeping them with foam balls in the garden for less risk of damage and noise. I reward that with more trips allowed to collect. If they play with big hard balls in the garden they get less chances to collect them.

You and your DS sound very respectful and understanding Urgent

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artggghhh · 22/05/2018 23:00

Eh, ignore some posters.

Of course in the real world it's annoying to have someone (anyone, of any age) making repeated loud noises or doing damage.

You're allowed to wish on an anonymous website that they didn't!

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/05/2018 23:02

I'm not a horrid neighbour, just strict. I've given away a full size trampoline, climbing frames, scooters, sledges, skates and bikes and hundreds of pounds worth of nerf guns to the kids in the street. If I minded them playing outside I wouldn't do that would I?

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 22/05/2018 23:03

Yep, I shouldn't rise to the bait art :o

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Copperbonnet · 23/05/2018 02:21

You’d hate living next to us OP. Grin

My D.C. spend hours every night practicing their basketball skills. They even have a light up ball so they can play in the dark. Grin

The noise is bounce, bounce. bounce, swish, splash (as it lands in the pool)

They’re currently inside watching their favourite basketball team on TV but nip outside at the adverts for a few shots.

Gagastwin · 23/05/2018 02:35

Where I used to live a family would play "football" against a metal garage door (not theirs) for hours every single day of any term time holiday and weekends. The garage door was 30ft in front of my house and I lost the will to live over it.

BalloonSlayer · 23/05/2018 07:12

How about the noise of Fortnite?

Der-der
Der-DER
Der-der
DER-Der

How many key changes can any two note piece of music have?

morningconstitutional2017 · 23/05/2018 07:43

I think the relentless bounce, bounce against a brick wall can be very annoying. It's one of the reasons why my BIL complained to his neighbour. It caused such a big argument that they haven't spoken for years.

JacquesHammer · 23/05/2018 07:56

How about the noise of Fortnite?

Tech has a volume button!

My neighbours seem to have got the message now I will only lob balls back at the end of the day.

I was perfectly reasonable, said I was happy to do it but that it’s too disruptive having them coming round every time.

LighthouseSouth · 23/05/2018 11:29

agree OP

previous road, one lad used to just walk up and down the pavement just endlessly bouncing the ball. I think he only stopped after another teen lost it and yelled at him.

it's the repetition I think.

also I don't understand why he couldn't just use the park that was about 200 yards away....

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 23/05/2018 11:44

I think it's one of those things that isn't annoying when you are doing i t yourself, only for other people. I but like sitting clicking your pen. YouTube it out as it's just a habit but for someone else it's as annoying as feck.

I have no idea what fortunate is. My teenagers sit on pcs with headphones on. Ds plays guitar and bass guitar. Only time I hear him is when he is having a lesson, otherwise he plugs in his headphones to practice.

Copper, I sincerely hope you are not close to your neighbours as that is really anti-social if it can be heard.

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Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 23/05/2018 11:45

Christ auto correct has gone mad. Hopefully you can figure out what that's meant to say.

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Lethaldrizzle · 23/05/2018 11:48

I'm with smiths. Better they are out than in

whiteraven010185 · 23/05/2018 13:28

I think as long as the ball isn't hitting your window or being bounced into your garden, then I don't see a problem with children playing outside with a ball.

positivepineapple · 23/05/2018 13:43

I'm with you - a bit.

I don't mind balls in general, but when the neighbours DS plays with a bouncy ball against our extension wall...... Angry

The incessant thudding - which inevitably sets the dogs off makes me crazy.

It's the noise. It's making me grit my teeth just thinking about it.

I won't say anything as it is occasional, and I'm sure they suffer in silence through plenty of noises from our side.

Copperbonnet · 23/05/2018 14:50

Copper, I sincerely hope you are not close to your neighbours as that is really anti-social if it can be heard.

Thankfully big American gardens between us Wax.

The neighbours are always very smiley and chatty when we see them and our nearest neighbour regularly bakes the children cookies so I don’t think we’ve upset them yet.

Original poster
WaxOnFeckOff · 23/05/2018 15:01

That's good I thought with the mention of the pool you were somewhere abroad:)

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