Replace neighbour flowers after ball over fence?

[Window1]

My neighbours new flowers got crushed by my sons football which went over the back fence while he was playing in the back garden. I know she will have to take some out and replace now.

Should I be offering to replace them, or perhaps let my son take round a new planter with an apology about the ball going over?

We tell him to be careful with it but it accidentally goes over probably once per week.

I would not be giving the ball back if it was happening as frequently as once a week.

Same here. Who knows where it would disappear to? Or what misfortune might befall it next time the strimmer was out. Balls going over fences is a fact of life but every week is too much.

I think you've made the right decision.

As for the football, perhaps contact Arsenal FC for a trial for your DS!!!

I still maintain that once a week is not frequent. For anything to be happening.

If someone said they were going to do something ‘frequently’ once a week wouldn’t be it.

Once a week really is quite often, it doesn't sound as if your garden is any good for football, ours isn't either unless we invest in very expensive higher fencing! There's plenty of other garden toys he can have so he can still enjoy his garden, garden centre voucher and the promise it won't happen again will sort it out so don't panic

How old is your son? If he's old enough to be playing out with only loose supervision he's old enough to understand why football isn't a garden game anymore and learn about co existing with others, you sound like a good mum and neighbour

Tell your neighbour not to return the ball straight away but leave it for several days. You will probably find that your son becomes more accurate if he knows the consequences. And apologise!

Istill maintain that once a week is not frequent. For anything to be happening.

If someone said they were going to do something ‘frequently’ once a week wouldn’t be it.

That is actually quite frequent for a lot of things. If you were slapped in the face once a week I’m sure it would feel frequent.

For the poor neighbour potentially having her plants damaged every week it probably feels frequent.

Get a goal net. I despair on mn sometimes. Poor kid. Football is all over the tv atm loads of kids are playing football. Just try to teach him skills to keep in it the garden. No biggie. I think living in close proximity to kids you expect a certain amount of accidental interactions which you are aware of now. Banning him altogether is mean.

For anything, really? So if a serial killer was on the loose and they were killing every week, you wouldn’t think that was frequent?

Or if a tile was falling off your roof every week that wouldn’t be frequent?

Or if a sports day was being held every week you wouldn’t think that was a bit frequent?

Sorry that was to quote @Sparklingbrook’s post but it didn’t work.

what a lovely sensible Mum!

100% replace the flowers.

Your son isn't being careful enough if the ball is going over weekly, could you also put trellis on the fence to make it higher and hopefully stop the weekly accidents

Yes I’d also take over a garden centre voucher - a good £30 or so as plants are bloody expensive!

And yes, once a week is frequent and would absolutely do my head in if I was the neighbour!

And I agree with @godmum56!

I think a voucher for the garden centre is a really love idea.

I'm glad I don't live next to any of the people who'd steal a child's ball for them accidentally kicking it over the fence

Good that you have a plan to replace the damaged flowers but I’m surprised you even needed to ask? Isn’t it obvious?

@Sparklingbrook

I still maintain that once a week is not frequent. For anything to be happening.

If someone said they were going to do something ‘frequently’ once a week wouldn’t be it.

context is all. If your house was broken into once a week that would be frequently surely? A ball coming over with no damage once a week might not be a problem, but with damage to the garden, I think once a week is definitely frequent!

@emilyfrost

For anything, really? So if a serial killer was on the loose and they were killing every week, you wouldn’t think that was frequent?

Or if a tile was falling off your roof every week that wouldn’t be frequent?

Or if a sports day was being held every week you wouldn’t think that was a bit frequent?

We are talking about sexual killers now? Okaay.

Let’s throw in sex then! Once a week. Is that frequent?

Apologies to @Window1 for weird thread derail about serial killers and sex when we are just talking a ball over a fence.

Oh and burglary!

Can you attach a lattice or something to the top of the fence so it can't happen again?

Training balls look like a good idea. Though I had one for tennis in the 70s and it was crappy 😀 they've hopefully improved.

People are very precious about their gardens and plants.

He needs to be more careful.

Decent voucher asap and a sincere apology.

She has a right to enjoy her garden and plants.

You could well sour things.

You are such a nice neighbour. Both sides kick footballs over at least once a week. This week they broke half our sweetcorn plants. The neighbours just carry on oblivious (they do know as they can see over our fence and often climb into our garden to retrieve the ball). I think you're being very kind.

I think OP has said they’re going to replace the flowers and bam the ball from the garden you can’t say fairer than that.

Is DS old enough to go to the park with the ball @Window1?

It is frequent though, once is an accident, weekly is frequent.
My grandfather has this problem, he no longer gives the balls either.

*ban