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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wwyd? Neighbours

141 replies

NoRoomInBed · 10/06/2020 16:07

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.

OP posts:
billy1966 · 10/06/2020 18:45

OP,
Trampolines need supervision.
The number of children of my friends that have broken something is just extraordinary.

I would not be allowing this to continue because you know about it, and if something happens those children, it is your responsibility.

When children came and played on ours, I sat and supervised.
Complete PITA...but had to be done.

M0mmyneedswine · 10/06/2020 18:46

I would tell parents they can use it if they ask and supervise, a 4 year old shouldnt be out of their own garden without an adult

heartsonacake · 10/06/2020 18:46

No, don’t let them use it. Put a lock on the gate.

Wattagoose90 · 10/06/2020 18:46

So rude and cheeky of the parents! The kids are too young to know any better.

If it doesn't bother you then I'd be inclined to allow them to continue as long as the parents take responsibility and supervise them at all times. However, sometimes when you give people an inch, they take a mile. If they're cheeky enough to do this already, I wonder what else they'd feel comfortable doing.

I think I'd be inclined to ask them "do you know your kids are able to get into my garden and use the trampoline?" therefore subtly hinting it's not expected behaviour, and "I wasn't sure you were aware. Feel free to use it until lockdown ends, but please make sure they're supervised, just so there aren't any accidents".

RandomMess · 10/06/2020 18:48

Trampolines should only ever be one child at a time!!! I made my DD do a few terms of trampling before we got one so she knew how to keep in the middle and do various jumps more safely etc.

Original poster
NoRoomInBed · 10/06/2020 18:49

I dont want to supervise them I have my own 3 to be entertaining. And the weather isnt nice. Plus if 3 year old sees them he'll want to play with them. The parents can see the kids on trampoline from thier window so I assume they are watching them.

OP posts:
AlwaysCheddar · 10/06/2020 18:50

Lock the gate!!

1forAll74 · 10/06/2020 18:50

I would speak to the neighbours about this, purely because of an accident issue if it were to happen.

HeronLanyon · 10/06/2020 18:53

You said earlier op that you might say they can use it but that their parents would be responsible. You can’t in law hand over responsibility when you’ve invited children into your property to play on your equipment. You will be responsible.
Either lock the gate (Having spoken to the neighbours about why) or dismantle and see if they want to buy it (do you want to be next door to a bloody trampoline?).

6 and 4 is really young to be playing on notoriously dangerous equipment on their own in someone else’s garden ! Can’t quite believe the neighbours - and what a cheek frankly - can’t believe them not asking !

BobbieDraper · 10/06/2020 19:01

Who just let's their kids go into their neighbours garden to use their stuff?!?! I cant believe it. You would go and ask first, and make sure it isnt inconvenient etc. A conversation first and then the kids can have fun but you dont just send them in!

GrandAltogetherSo · 10/06/2020 19:06

Wow, the neighbours are massive CF’s. If you can’t face telling the neighbours to stop their kids trespassing, then put a padlock on the zips on the trampoline netting to stop then gaining entry.

When one of them falls and hurts themselves badly, be in no doubt that you will be blamed.

CF’s are notorious for never taking responsibility for their own actions or inaction.

Cherrysoup · 10/06/2020 19:10

No way! Tell the neighbours no, if there’s an accident, you’re liable, regardless of who is allegedly watching them. Plus, if your 3 year old goes on it, you’d have to sanitise the whole thing. Plus, fuck me, the sheer bloody cheek!

CovidTroels · 10/06/2020 19:12

Lock or tie the gate shut. I doubt they'd climb over if they are only 4.
If the parents say anything, just say it's not safe without supervision and asking first. They might be nice but they are being cheeky, it's not a playground. Tell them where you bought it.

BitOfFun · 10/06/2020 19:15

Sell it to them or get rid of it. You don't want to be sued if one of them breaks an arm.

sunflowersandtulips50 · 10/06/2020 19:23

They are trespassing and your sitting back and saying nothing. A saftey net doesnt stop all injuries, what are you going to do if they knock heads and one goes unconscious? Tell the kids to stay off it and lock your gate. What will you do when lockdown lifts and they wander in to your garden when you have guests etc?

sodabreadjam · 10/06/2020 19:26

I can imagine this happening. We live on a corner plot with a side garden bordering the street and we used to have activity toys on it - climbing frame, goal net, etc. Our DSs would be indoors for their dinner and I would look out of the window and see other people’s kids playing on our equipment. I put a stop to it.

Nip it in the bud, OP - even if the neighbours are nice. Nobody should be in your garden using your stuff without your permission and without supervision.

Bargebill19 · 10/06/2020 19:29

Well if your happy to be sued when one of those kids gets hurt .... crack on!

Nanny0gg · 10/06/2020 19:30

If they were watching their children it's even worse!

Who lets their children go into someone else's garden and use their toys without asking??

Bloody cheek!

PrayingandHoping · 10/06/2020 19:32

Massive no from me. If anything happened the parents could v easily blame u.

DoingMyOwnThing · 10/06/2020 19:38

Either they are ignoring their children and have to idea what they are doing - report to social services - neglect

Or they know exactly what they are doing and think it is ok.

Either way - if they have an accident in your garden they will blame you so there you go

CloudyVanilla · 10/06/2020 19:43

This all just sounds very irresponsible all round to me.

  • Why is your garden gate unlocked?
  • Why didn't you first say anything to the children when 2 small unaccompanied kids wondered onto your property?

-Why are the parents either unaware of where their very young children are or willing to let them wonder onto someone else's property?

Such a mundane sounding situation on the surface, but actually quite weird all round

Nanalisa60 · 10/06/2020 19:44

Put a lock on the gate

BashStreetKid · 10/06/2020 19:50

@NoRoomInBed

My kids aren't using it as they have gotten bored of it atm. Nieghbours are pretty nice people. Will have a word and say if anything happens they are responsible for the kids.
Follow it up in writing. Your insurance company might want you to produce evidence that you have done this.
BashStreetKid · 10/06/2020 19:51

@Bluntness100

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.
Given the availability of no-win no-fee arrangements, the odds are actually quite high.
GwenSaturn · 10/06/2020 19:53

You need a bigger gate with a lock!

As it's lockdown and as your kids aren't using it I'd be tempted to let it go - if they'd actually asked first but it's so bloody cheeky just helping yourself!

And you're setting a precedence here. These kind of CFs will expect to use it all the time now, even when your kids want to use it.

What happens if one of them hurt themselves on it? You're probably liable. What happens if they break it?