to think this neighour should not have taken kid's ball

[junipertree2]

My sons were playing with a brand new football in our very small back garden yesterday when it bounced over the wall, down a path (our street is on a slope and we are the higher side) and came to rest on the opposite side of the street behind the back wheel of a neighbour's car. (The houses have no fences or gates.) Within about thirty seconds, he had raced out of his house and taken the ball.

Needless to say, my son who had just paid £17 for this ball was very upset and annoyed. AIBU to think that this man had no right to do this? He is a middle aged man who doesn't like children playing in front of his house, hates footballs and shouts a lot at boys in the street. But I am on my own and money is very tight.

Hardly surprising considering the attitude of some people replying to her! She asked a question and was spoken to like a piece of dog shite for allowing her children to kick a football or even buy a football for that matter
These sorts of replies make me laugh. I don't think anyone has said children should not kick a football. People have pointed out that if a ball is in the road and near neighbour's car then it is, by definition, not in the OP's garden.

Lots of these it's so sad everyone hates children type replies are based on selectively spinning the situation. It happens frequently on threads regarding children.
People comment on excessive noise = isn't it awful people hate the sound of children playing!!
People comment on children playing in a way that affects their neighbours = isn't it awful that there's zero tolerance for children
People point out that a £17 football is likely to be a heavy leather one and not one for a small garden = how awful that people hate on OP for buying a football
People point out that a heavy football near neighbour's cars in the street is not a small game of football in the garden = isn't it awful people are super shitty at the idea of children kicking a football

It seems to come down to if you expect me to show consideration for my neighbours and select toys that are appropriate my garden then you're a horrible grump with bonus points available for ageist references to mean neighbours in their 60s who must hate all children ever.

Next time get a skipping rope or a hula hoop.