To get a trampoline?

[Abergavennie]

We live on a very quiet road and the vast majority of our neighbours are elderly. Our dc are the only children within at least a 20 house radius. Many of our neighbours like to sit out in their gardens a lot, especially in the summer.

DC (aged 9 and almost 8) desperately want a trampoline. But I’m worried about the impact it would have on our neighbours - I’ve seen several threads on here complaining about the noise they cause. We get on well with all our neighbours so far, but I know they were rather apprehensive when a young family moved in.

I already make sure the dc keep noise to a reasonable level when using the garden - if I hear screaming or shouting then they have to come inside. This would obviously apply to using the trampoline as well.

I was also thinking about limiting trampoline use to a two hour period (or maybe two 1 hour periods) a day, so that it wouldn’t be spread out across the whole day.

Do you think getting a trampoline under those conditions would be reasonable? Or is it still too inconsiderate of the neighbours?

I am one of those people that thinks it’s important to be a quiet and considerate neighbour but I think it’s fine! Just don’t have them out there at 7 am or all day.

I don't mind the noise of kids having fun on a trampoline during sociable hours. It's when it's 10pm I want to scream out the windows

Don't. We have one (against my better judgement) for DGC. It is large unsightly and unused for 90% of the time. I don't know if it annoys the neighbours but it sure annoys me and ruins the garden.

Noise from a trampoline is fine, children are allowed to enjoy their gardens too.

Personally I would never get a trampoline though as I've seen far too many injuries from the buggers and they worry me too much.

Ugh please don’t. Our neighbours two doors down have one and it’s all you hear all day is kids screeching

Trampolines are a cause of sometimes serious injury to children : the safety nets don't improve the issue as kids get buttons or zips etc caught in the net and still manage to hurt themselves. Worst case I saw was a child in a headframe to keep their neck straight - they'd been bouncing alone on the trampoline and landed badly.

Bouncy castles are worse, as kids manage to kick each other jumping around. My cousins kid had a broken nose and lost two teeth from an accidental kick to the face.

None of those injuries are as rare as you'd hope either.

Don't get one. Trust me.

I recently got a trampoline. My ex his a gardener and refused to have one because it would ruin the lawn. We separated 3 years ago but we are on good terms and he would still do the gardening. After a fall out recently he stopped helping out and it was getting too much for me so I thought, fuck it! When my dd’s are grown up, are they going to remember the immaculately kept lawn??? Are they duck! They are going to remember the hours of fun they had in their garden, so I got one. It is 10ft and takes up nearly the whole front garden (the back yard is too small). They love it. The squeaking of the springs is a little annoying but they are. It allowed to scream or make too much noise and not allowed on it before midday or after 8pm and they are suddenly the most popular kids on the block!

If you are worried about the neighbours, have a word with them and ask them to let you know if it becomes annoying for them, I’m mindful of my neighbours because they are mostly elderly and I wouldn’t want someone to be over annoying to me. But honestly, your kids are young for such a short time, why not let them enjoy their childhoods as much as you can accommodate?

We have a no screaming rule. If they scream, they come off. Same rule for their friends. It doesn't take long to teach!

I think it would be absolutely fine provided you have a similar rule!

You're being considerate of the neighbours. The issue with accidents is children not being adequately supervised. As I said, mine have proper trampoline lessons at a club and it's brilliant for them. Although the home one is a lot stiffer fabric.

I'd hate to live in an area where you never heard children playing....

Trampolines, though ... a lot of nasty injuries. Ask any orthopaedic surgeon if they'd let their children have one in the garden ... I bet most would say not a chance.

I’ve seen several threads on here complaining about the noise they cause.

I've seen several threads on here complaining about literally every subject under the sun.

Get your kids a trampoline and don't assume that just because people are elderly, they won't be happy to hear the sounds of children playing on it and enjoying themselves.

Obviously curtail constant screaming and be mindful of the time but other than that, let them enjoy their garden too.

I'd hate to live in an area where you never heard children playing

And? That’s your preference. A lot of people don’t enjoy hearing other people’s noisy kids.

I don't mind hearing children playing outside, but the constant thud of the trampoline is relentlessly annoying.

We have one.

The squeaky springs is the annoying bit.

I feel incredibly sorry for our neighbours who have a trampoline either side.

Like PPs have said, I do not allow DC to scream. But they make no more noise on a trampoline than they would playing with something else.

I think it’s fine; would agree about the screaming rule and not being on it at 10pm at night but it sounds like you’re quite considerate anyway.
There are lots and lots of worse noises than children playing and enjoying themselves. I’d take that any day over adults arguing, and partying which people seem to happily do in their gardens into the night