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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not want to throw the ball back over

139 replies

NoProblama · 23/09/2021 15:00

So the family next door to me have kids around age 8 and 10, give or take a year or two. I'm here on my own with two toddlers and every day multiple times a day they're ringing in for me to throw their ball back over the fence. If I don't answer the door they stay there and keep knocking and ringing for ages.

I know it sounds stupid but I'm really fed up of it, we could be sitting there eating dinner or cleaning up after dinner and they'll just be at the door knocking over and over again, they've even opened the letterbox before to look in. I throw the ball back if I see it in the garden, there's abseloutley no reason for them to knock in constantly.

I know its a really minor problem but I'm not sure if I'm over reacting or not 🤣

OP posts:
Sally872 · 23/09/2021 16:36

We have a keen footballer and very patient neighbours, but rule is if it goes over fence it's gone and neighbour will throw it back when she notices. Not on for them to be chapping more than once ever 2-3 days.

FinallyHere · 23/09/2021 16:40

Tell 'em you can't find it.

As a one off, I'd be happy to return a ball but multiple times a day is just too much.

SmellyOldOwls · 23/09/2021 16:47

Next time you answer the door say 'yes I'll throw your ball back over but take care not to kick it in again, because I won't be going down there again especially for your ball'

Then next time they ring to ask for their ball back say no and not to ring your door again.

godmum56 · 23/09/2021 16:47

@ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS

Why are you ignoring them when they come over, they obviously know your home which is why they keep ringing and knocking. You sound very petty. Just answer the door. Tell them you will throw the ball back but they need to be careful and not keep kicking it over so much if it’s bothering you. Also talk to the parents if it’s really a hardship.

At the end of the day they are kids, balls go over gardens, stop being so difficult. Let’s hope when your DCs get older and play ball games your neighbours arnt so petty.

once a day maybe but multiple times a day no way. Its completely possible to stop children kicking balls over a garden fence.
ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS · 23/09/2021 16:53

@godmum56 which I why I suggested she speak to both the children and parents…

myBumJuiceSmellsLikeRoses · 23/09/2021 16:53

I get this too.

I used to throw them over when I saw them, but since I've been forced to WFH, they just see I am home and want them straight away.
Not good news having the kids knock & ring when on meetings with my Boss.

I told their Mother I finish work at x time, tell them I can't answer until after. They just run through from the back garden without going through the house and ring anyway. Either that or they bounce on the trampoline to look in through my windows and call to me.

Brollywasntneededafterall · 23/09/2021 16:55

Offer back a burst ball.
Say it must have burst when it landed in your garden.. Few episodes and it wil stop going over...

SusieBob · 23/09/2021 16:56

If you have a side passage or something I'd just tell them to go and get it without asking each time.

Jmaho · 23/09/2021 17:05

@SmileyClare

Jmaho that reminds me of the time my brother threw my brand new pink space hopper I'd just got for my birthday into our next door's garden. I begged my mum to go and ask for it back because our neighbour always stabbed our stray footballs.

Lo and behold, it came back five minutes later- stabbed. I was so upset.

I think that's why I get so defensive of the children who have kicked balls over on threads like these!

Ah that's horrible. People are just so mean. My son who was only 5 when we moved from that house still talks often about the evil lady next door! The weird thing was the other side of her lived a young guy who used to have parties in his garden until early hours every weekend and she loved him. But used to tell everyone we were neighbours from hell all because we had some work done and our children used to play in their own garden! Not loud or anything not early not late just mid afternoon time. Crazy!
SweetBabyCheeses99 · 23/09/2021 17:30

You just need to continue as you are by throwing the ball back when it’s convenient for you, but stop answering the door to them. They are not going to continue to ring it for hours on end day after day. Would be handy if it’s a man electric doorbell that could be temporarily disconnected? If they can see that you’re home then even better - that’s the point. They’ll get the message then that you’re are going to respond to them.

godmum56 · 23/09/2021 17:39

@SweetBabyCheeses99

You just need to continue as you are by throwing the ball back when it’s convenient for you, but stop answering the door to them. They are not going to continue to ring it for hours on end day after day. Would be handy if it’s a man electric doorbell that could be temporarily disconnected? If they can see that you’re home then even better - that’s the point. They’ll get the message then that you’re are going to respond to them.
I have got a wireless doorbell and when I don't want it to ring I unplug the ringer unit.
godmum56 · 23/09/2021 17:40

[quote ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS]@godmum56 which I why I suggested she speak to both the children and parents…[/quote]
yeah but "they know you are there, just answer the door" why?

HikingforScenery · 23/09/2021 17:44

This would really annoy me! We had a similar experience when my children very very small. They’d knock at nap times, bed time, etc. I got DH to speak to them one day and it stopped. Those children are older now too.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 23/09/2021 17:46

Next time they knock tell them you’ll only be throwing the balls back once a week/month so they need to be more careful.

FleasInMyKnees · 23/09/2021 17:47

They are old enough to know this is annoying, can damage your property and could hit someone if they are standing in the wrong place. Speak to the parents and DC and ask them to be more careful, return them when it suits you and suggest they get goal nets instead

GreatPotato · 23/09/2021 17:55

My neighbours' DC have an open invitation to go through and get them.

If it really is multiple times a day I can see it would be annoying but really how much of an inconvenience can throwing a ball back be? You can even make it a game/something to pass the time and get toddler DC to throw it back.

Remember your DC will be the annoying ball kickers before too long. Rather than seeing it as an annoyance, do a nice thing and get a warm fuzzy feeling.

FleasInMyKnees · 23/09/2021 18:06

The ringing the doorbell, peering through the letterbox, disturbing you and your toddlers several times a day. I wouldnt get a fuzzy feeling having to do this.

GreatPotato · 23/09/2021 18:07

@FleasInMyKnees

The ringing the doorbell, peering through the letterbox, disturbing you and your toddlers several times a day. I wouldnt get a fuzzy feeling having to do this.
No but if OP just answered the door they wouldn't be behaving like this.
haetwaves · 23/09/2021 18:07

Tell them 'sorry I'm busy, I'll throw them back each day after dinner'

KarlUrbansWife · 23/09/2021 18:10

We had the same problem. I got really irritated one day when the knocking interrupted a work meeting, told them so - it was the third time that day. Since then I've ignored the door and throw it back when convenient. Funnily enough, they've stopped knocking and the ball comes over the fence far less frequently...

Datsandcogs · 23/09/2021 18:12

Speak to them, speak to their parents. Explain it’s becoming a nuisance and you will return once a day at a time that’s convenient to you.

Amdramfan · 23/09/2021 18:14

We get the same here op. I'm sorry but no I don't get a warm fuzzy feeling when next door are knocking when I'm in a meeting or having a nap. They can't just come in incase they let my dog out the gate. Such a pain. I do really like them too which is harder

PaperhouseLegs · 23/09/2021 18:15

I'd just totally ignore the knocking however persistent, then throw back when you can be arsed
They will give up eventually.

coodawoodashooda · 23/09/2021 18:16

@PaperhouseLegs

I'd just totally ignore the knocking however persistent, then throw back when you can be arsed They will give up eventually.
Me too.
Lasttimeneveragain · 23/09/2021 18:18

At least they knock. In my old house the neighbours kids destroyed the fence by climbing over it/through it to retrieve their ball.

Then the younger kid just randomly kept climbing into our garden to play. Little weirdo.