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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be a bit annoyed

89 replies

coffeewithmilk · 05/05/2023 13:54

Neighbours have decided to get a trampoline, it's literally the biggest thing I've ever seen, takes over the whole garden... whatever they want in their garden that's not my business.. but what's annoying me is anytime the kids and multiple kids friends are on the trampoline which is for hours after school, in the evening.. they can see straight into my house, so I'm in the kitchen or trying to have dinner, or just relaxing on the couch and the kids are bouncing and trying to get my attention or wave or just constantly staring in. (They don't even need to jump to see in, it's a very very high trampoline so even just sitting on it they are able to see straight in)

I know they're only kids and they are only having a bit of fun, but it's just really annoying me and now I feel I've no privacy

AIBU to be annoyed by this?

OP posts:
Mischance · 05/05/2023 13:55

Pretty irritating I agree - not sure there is anything you can do though.....

rainraingoawaay · 05/05/2023 13:56

Can you put a taller fence up? Or some potted bamboo / screening plants?

AnneLovesGilbert · 05/05/2023 13:56

YANBU at all

Mochinated · 05/05/2023 13:57

Voile curtains?

Purplecatshopaholic · 05/05/2023 13:58

That would drive me demented too. I’m not sure what you can do about it though. I’d defo sit somewhere else in the house if I could.

Pottedpalm · 05/05/2023 13:58

YANBU at all. Is the garden big enough for them to move the trampoline away?

Original poster
coffeewithmilk · 05/05/2023 14:02

Unfortunately they can't move the trampoline anywhere else in the garden as they have a shed at the other side.
We have roller blinds, but get all our light and sun through those windows in the evening so I don't want to be living in darkness now that it's finally started to get bright.
I might look at getting some sort of plants or shrubs to try block the view

OP posts:
wtfisgoingonhere21 · 05/05/2023 14:11

@coffeewithmilk

Can't you put in a higher fence?

Or voiles in the window? Doesn't stop the light but gives you some privacy

Paq · 05/05/2023 14:17

Do you know your neighbours? Can you talk to them?

Stompythedinosaur · 05/05/2023 14:52

I can understand the irritation, but ultimately it isn't an unusual way to use your garden.

Can you put some screening at the top of your fence or strategically place some pots of bamboo?

Murdoch1949 · 06/05/2023 01:13

Work out the sightline from the trampoline to your windows then erect a very tall, sturdy trellis, in-between 2 posts, then grow Virginia creeper or some such fast growing plant over it.

NerdyBird · 06/05/2023 01:33

You can get an obscuring or frosting film for your windows so they can't see in. Shouldn't reduce the light significantly.

Tinkerbyebye · 06/05/2023 01:50

yanbu. I would get the highest fence I could and make a lot of noise when installing it, and I would give them the horrible side to look at

NotMeSecretFormular · 06/05/2023 03:13

My neighbours at the back (we all have long gardens) have just moved their kids trampoline right up against my fence. The same fence their kids have spent two years breaking slats off kicking their footballs so hard against it. They've moved their netted goal. The back half of my garden is fenced off down the middle so my rabbits can have full roam. So now instead of them being hit by footballs (three times that I've seen), the kids are standing on the trampoline and hanging their upper halves over the (now very weak and battered) fence shouting "BUNNIES!"
If I try to repair the fence the kids crowd round their side, pull at the loose slats and shout at me.
Hell is other people Angry

NotMeSecretFormular · 06/05/2023 03:17

If the fence breaks from the top and a child falls down, not my responsibility. Nor is any other football that lands in my garden. "You broke my fence/you hit my rabbit" falls on deaf ears. Might just start popping them.

Dedodee · 06/05/2023 03:19

NotMeSecretFormular · 06/05/2023 03:13

My neighbours at the back (we all have long gardens) have just moved their kids trampoline right up against my fence. The same fence their kids have spent two years breaking slats off kicking their footballs so hard against it. They've moved their netted goal. The back half of my garden is fenced off down the middle so my rabbits can have full roam. So now instead of them being hit by footballs (three times that I've seen), the kids are standing on the trampoline and hanging their upper halves over the (now very weak and battered) fence shouting "BUNNIES!"
If I try to repair the fence the kids crowd round their side, pull at the loose slats and shout at me.
Hell is other people Angry

Smear the top of your fence with something hard to wash out then their parents will stop them hanging over your fence.

MayMi · 06/05/2023 03:25

Get lace curtains - they still let most of the light through while stopping anyone outside trying to see in

Disabledmomma · 06/05/2023 03:28

My neighbour was the same. Didn't seem to matter if was upstairs or downstairs little heads would pop in to view.
I got a screen film thing that I stuck on the windows and it's amazing. I can see out they see grey which is the same grey tone if I'm standing in the window or not so there's no shadow effect. Plus it blocks some of the heat from the summer sun. Cost around £40 to do the patio doors, back door and two double windows. I think Amazon?!?!?!?
Good luck

NotMeSecretFormular · 06/05/2023 03:45

@Dedodee I do have some lubricant oil I've been using for DD's scooter...

JennyJenny8675309 · 06/05/2023 04:23

NerdyBird · 06/05/2023 01:33

You can get an obscuring or frosting film for your windows so they can't see in. Shouldn't reduce the light significantly.

This! I found film on Amazon. It can be removed and repositioned very easily. My windows are right across from my neighbours but now I have light and privacy.

snitzelvoncrumb · 06/05/2023 04:46

NotMeSecretFormular · 06/05/2023 03:13

My neighbours at the back (we all have long gardens) have just moved their kids trampoline right up against my fence. The same fence their kids have spent two years breaking slats off kicking their footballs so hard against it. They've moved their netted goal. The back half of my garden is fenced off down the middle so my rabbits can have full roam. So now instead of them being hit by footballs (three times that I've seen), the kids are standing on the trampoline and hanging their upper halves over the (now very weak and battered) fence shouting "BUNNIES!"
If I try to repair the fence the kids crowd round their side, pull at the loose slats and shout at me.
Hell is other people Angry

Rub some curry paste along the top of the fence. Their mum will stop them doing it once their clothes are all stained.

LunchAtTeatime · 06/05/2023 05:03

Net curtains, that are out of the way most of the time so you can still enjoy looking out, then when the kids are looking over you dramatically close them.

Mummasince22 · 06/05/2023 21:51

Have you thought about putting a privacy vinyl like DC Fix on your windows? It’ll still allow in the light but give you some respite from the neighbours

JaffavsCookie · 06/05/2023 21:54

You want something like this, it’s as sticky as hell, doesn’t wash off your wood in the rain

AIBU to be a bit annoyed