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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbours trampoline AIBU?

520 replies

Hidinginshameofthememory · 23/04/2020 16:39

Our neighbours have put up a trampoline this week, no issue with kids playing in the garden as I think it's nice to hear and my own child and family children are out in our garden most days weather permitting (just mine now!). They are the last house on the row so share a fence with us but the other side of their garden is onto woodland. The trampoline is right up against the shared fence. When it went up I didn't think too much of it to be honest but then on Monday we were sat in the conservatory having breakfast and noticed their older child (early teens maybe?) was stood on the trampoline looking into our house. I felt a bit uncomfortable as we were all in our pjs (not indecent but still I felt a bit 😳). Anyway this has happened a few times since, she can also see into our living room so when I'm sat playing with my baby on the floor/ watching tv etc I've looked up a few times to see her peering in. I know she's not really doing any harm per se but im finding it very intrusive. Dh usually does a workout in the garden every morning in just his shorts, the last two mornings he has come inside as the girl was there at the fence and he didn't feel comfortable.

Because of all this I went round to next door and knocked (then stood at the gate before I get flamed!). I've always got on fine with these neighbours but we haven't really had much interaction. I asked politely if there was any chance they could move the trampoline as their daughter could see into our house/garden and we were finding it a bit intrusive. I think I kept it quite friendly, wasn't rude or anything. Long story short neighbour said she would speak to her daughter but she won't move the trampoline as they like the garden setup as it is now. Their garden is huge, they could easily move it to the other side and it would affect no one. But I thought okay she will speak to her daughter and issue will be over.

Unfortunately either she hasn't spoken to her or the daughter has ignored her completely. It's happened a few times since and I've just been sat expressing and looked up to see a pair of eyes at the fence again. I've had to get up and come upstairs. AIBU ?? I know it's their garden but I just would like to be able to walk round and use my own house without having to watch what I'm doing or feel like I'm being watched.

OP posts:
Beeep · 23/04/2020 17:11

You can't attach something to their fence. I would keep asking the girl to stop staring. You can be polite and friendly but don't be shy to mention it.

Dieu · 23/04/2020 17:12

I would say something directly to the girl herself, next time she's doing it. Just a very polite, friendly but firm word.

Widowodiw · 23/04/2020 17:12

You need to go out and tell her to stop looking in your garden.

opticaldelusion · 23/04/2020 17:12

Oh FFS. She's a kid and she's bored rigid. And she'll get bored with staring at you soon enough. Typical mumsnet hysteria. 'You've got rights'. Dear me. It's a fucking nosy kid not the Stasi.

MontysOarlock · 23/04/2020 17:12

I would be honest with the Mother. Tell her you expect privacy in your home and her daughter is staring at you expressing milk and breastfeeding.

I would also tell her your husband walks around naked and that it is inappropriate for her daughter to be staring in your windows.

Hopefully that should be enough. But if not stop saying do you need something to the child, at this stage I would just tell her it is weird for her to be staring at you in your private moments in your own home and to fuck off.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 23/04/2020 17:13

Couple of large lots filled with bamboo?

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 23/04/2020 17:13

Pots!

Mummyoflittledragon · 23/04/2020 17:13

Well done for going over. If you have the courage, maybe you should go again. Can your dh have a word? Unfortunately men are often listened to more than women.

opticaldelusion · 23/04/2020 17:13

The right to privacy law suggests you contact your local authority

Yeah, because your LA has got fuck all better to do right now with its skeleton staff and a billion small businesses to try to rescue than worry about kids looking over the garden fence.

LilacTree1 · 23/04/2020 17:14

I would put a sign in Hoyt window saying

STOP FUCKING STARING AT US

NameChangerTheFirst · 23/04/2020 17:14

Tell her to stop and if she doesn't, take her photo and tell her you'll send it to her mum because her mum has told you she's told her not to do it.

I doubt she'll like that.

opticaldelusion · 23/04/2020 17:15

Just shout 'Trunky want a bun?!' at her and give her the finger and stop worrying about being VIOLATED.

LakieLady · 23/04/2020 17:15

I'd definitely take up naturism and do your housework, gardening etc in the buff.

Nottherealslimshady · 23/04/2020 17:16

If they own the fence go round and sk them to put something up so she cant see in becuase their daughter keeps staring into your house watching your husband exercise in just his shorts and watching you express milk. Maybe ask if you can talk to her with the parents present to understand why shes watching you? Might embarrass them a bit, its creepy.

Devlesko · 23/04/2020 17:17

Stick your tongue out and wave, ask if there's something she wants?
"Can I help you" in a nice loud voice.
"trunky want a bun"?
Anything like that should work. How do you and dh usually communicate with people? I'm a bit Confused as to why you can't easily sort this.

a12345b · 23/04/2020 17:17

Dont you have net curtains? Then she wouldnt be able to see inside

Londonsuffolkmummy · 23/04/2020 17:18

Lifesize cutout of the queen standing in the window attach a pin split and wave each time she stares in although you could go maybe with a character from a horror film

Some kids are gawpy maybe she has autism or a big sign with fuck off might help

Notapheasantplucker · 23/04/2020 17:19

Smile and wave with your middle finger Grin

EwwSprouts · 23/04/2020 17:19

I guess she's bored but wouldn't like it either. Get some bamboo in pots it will be 6ft this summer. Keep in containers as spreads.

Devlesko · 23/04/2020 17:19

Ha Ha, beat me with "Trunky want a bun" greatest phrase I ever heard, picked it up in Norfolk.

Rocketmam · 23/04/2020 17:22

I'd be having some fun with this op, but I'm evil Grin

Order one of those horrific clown costumes. Complete with fake knife.

Stand in your garden and wait.

Stare.

Point.

MayFayner · 23/04/2020 17:23

STOP FUCKING STARING AT US

I’m crying 😂

RabidChinchilla · 23/04/2020 17:24

I would tell dh to walk around naked. Bet she stops the dc then....

This. 😂

cupcakehurricane101 · 23/04/2020 17:25

You can't put something on their fence if they own it, but you could just put up a random bit of 10ft by 6ft fence on your land but covering just that trampoline area. Be sure to paint the side facing them a bright neon yellow and have your side a feature garden wall.
It must honestly be so irritating, you don't want to come across as a knob but at the same time, yeah they're being selfish. I keep imagining she looks like Wednesday from the Adams family for some reason, oh no now it's changed to Reagan from the exorcist. Ok I'm getting carried away 😂😂

cupcakehurricane101 · 23/04/2020 17:25

Try holding up a crucifix??