Wwyd? Neighbours

[NoRoomInBed]

So everyone loves a neighbours thread. My issue is we have a trampoline in the garden. I keep finding next doors kids on it. They are 6 and 4. They open the gate and jump on.

My kids are not using it atm. its lockdown. Should I let them use it. They are probably going crazy from boredom.
It's slightly annoying me but at the same time I kinda understand.

Also if I lock they gate they could easily climb over it's only about waist height

Lock the gate and don’t let them use it.

I had the same thing with neighbours at our previous house. Gate was low enough to climb and there was a bush down one side the kids next door could push through. We only found out they were using our trampoline as we found a toy on it we knew was theirs. They never looked after their own toys....they were all trashed around the garden and back lane. No way was I going to let them use my kids stuff! I bought a wire padlock thing off eBay to secure the zip to the netting and attach it to the frame so they couldn't get in.

God I would be horrified if my children walked into my neighbours garden to do this. Do the parents know? They need to be taught they can’t walk into other peoples gardens.

Thankfully no one can get into my garden!

I would hope the parents know. But I get it kids doing your head in that half hour peace can be a godsend. I just dont want to be a grump really 😂 I'm prop a soft touch.

I wouldn’t let them use it. Even with the proviso that they’re responsible of the kids get hurt. They sound like cheeky fuckers who would find a way to blame you and try and claim off your house insurance if one of them got hurt. The fact you think they’d climb over the fence says it all. Tell the kids they aren’t allowed on it any more. Send their parents a link to Argos website.

I would ask them if they want to buy it off you.

Dismantle it. It the children hurt themselves, you will get the blame.

No way would I be happy with that. That is far too young to be playing unsupervised; especially together. And how do you know they're not ill? You'd have to disinfect it before letting your own kids on it. Duck that for a game of soldiers. The parents clearly know they're on there. I'd padlock it.

I hope nothing happens or/and they chase you for compensation. Is anyone supervising them? Quite something to let your 6 and 4 year olds wander off with no one in particular responsible for them or their safety.

What happens if they break it, will
It be replaced?

If you are not bothered about them using it then you need to be clear that they need to ask and not just hop-on-off when they fancy and also if any damage causes they need to replace it.

get a chain and lock for your gate, go and speak to the parents and inform them that their kids are not to enter your garden at any time.

Oh go on let em use it, maybe just ask the parents to check first so you know they are there. We have a big football net out front and few of the kids from the street have been taking turns using it. It is so lovely to see kids out playing again.

I’d let them use it too. Some of these responses, chain and bolt the gate, Inform parents they can’t enter the garden at any time, you might have legal problems,

Fuck sake. It’s all so miserable unfriendly and extreme. No wonder there are so many lonely friendless people living miserable lives unable to answer their doors.

Locking the gate will improve your legal position if one of the kids gets hurt and they sue you, even if it's easy to climb over. The lock makes it plain that they're unwelcome.

For fucks sake, what’s the odds of them suing the op and proving she was to blame, friggen billions to one, as long as she has a text to the neighbour saying at their own risk it’s all good.

Why the fuck should she let them?? Sounds like there’s no supervision- I wouldn’t let my own on ours without someone outside keeping an eye. One of my dc was mucking around and fell head first off of it. I was there to sort out the injury, I saw exactly how it happened. If that happened with one of the neighbours kids a child could potentially be moved and cause far worse injury.

If I caught my ndn in my garden without my say so I’d have serious words and so would they in the reverse situation. I can’t believe anyone thinks this is honestly ok

Why would she let them well because she’s not apparantly running round her front room in hysterics with her pants on her head at the thought of it and seems to be reacting normally.

She doesn’t have to let them, her call. But they are hardly doing any harm.

If your kids don’t mind and it’s not bothering you them being in the garden I’d let them use it, although it’s abit rude of the parent or children to have never asked first!

One of my dc was mucking around and fell head first off of it

Surprised that for one so concerned about child safety you didn’t put a safety net round it to prevent them falling off,..

No I wouldn't let them. Very rude of the parents to just assume and not ask
Totally irresponsible.

If you are happy for them to use it you could set some boundaries around it e.g. phone/message to ask first and we will say if it's ok for you to come round. It is ok to be unhappy for them to use it, and to tell them they aren't allowed. Then its reasonable to expect them to listen and for you never to find the kids in your garden uninvited again.

It has a safety net. They kids are lovely wee lassies. Weve been here 2 years and never a problem with them.

Do you have a safety net on? If so
I’d text the neighbour and say you’re happy for them to use it but can’t supervise them or take responsibility for them.

No safety net then I’d not allow it as it’s an accident waiting to happen.