Page 3 | Absolutely sick of neighbour’s kids

cinderelllaa · 2025-05-03T18:35:52+00:00

Now that it’s warmer weather my neighbours kids have been so annoying. Firstly they will repeatedly kick the football over multiple times a day, I don’t bother opening the door now and chuck it back days later. Football is kicked near my living room window and the mom says nothing. They frequently even throw things in my front yard now. They play loudly outside my house and often coming onto my driveway. Put bikes up against our cars (have frequently told them to stop). What really annoyed me is that for last week they have been off school with illness and they still did my door (I ignored it) which I think is bad mannered with the parents knowing I have young toddlers at home. AIBU to just ignore the door now and keep the balls? There seems to be no end to it, as the Ringdoor bell wakes my young toddlers up.

TranceNation · 04/05/2025 11:52

Most of those are just kids having fun but yeah I wouldn't be happy with leaning their bikes against your car.

Original poster

cinderelllaa · 04/05/2025 11:55

The youngest also kicks the football against my windows and also that of my other neighbours.
This is outside the drive.

I have told the mother that he does this and she didn’t say anything.

I don’t have an issue with children playing but when the kid is deliberately throwing footballs at our property it is a massive issue.

With the football going over the fence, this happens several time a day.
The kids will keep ringing the doorbell multiple times.
It is not possible for the kids to retrieve the football unless my back gate is open.

I have two toddlers and I am not going to just drop everything to pass a back over the fence.

These kids have been off school for a week or so (still playing outside) with Covid and thought nothing of doing my door, the mother was there as well, I don’t think that is very considerate as I have two toddlers.

It is not just me who has issues, the other neighbour has eggs thrown all over her washing the other day, they are a nuisance.

OP posts:

Fridaysgirl17 · 04/05/2025 11:56

The bikes on the car is a no no but that's about it for me, as parents or young kids there is no winning,if they are on screens or indoors we're told they should be outside in the fresh air playing,then when they are outside playing,being kids people complain about the noise,a ball,asking for their ball back, everything is wrong & judged upon.

caramac04 · 04/05/2025 12:00

LimitedBrightSpots · 03/05/2025 20:52

Tell them balls in your garden will be collected and returned once a week and they'll have to wait until then so don't bother ringing your doorbell.

This is what I would do. The kids might be annoying but bursting, possibly quite pricey, footballs is just spiteful.
Im sure it’s healthier for kids to play outside rather than on games consoles or social media.
Bikes leaning on cars is definitely not acceptable.

Dingdong62 · 04/05/2025 12:21

This is the attitude you’re up against op. The idea it’s expected to have 60 plus balls kicked over each month or to be disturbed several times a day in your own home. Somehow you’re meant to be glad they’re not on screens as if you’re invested in these kids screen time.

localhere · 04/05/2025 12:24

It’ll be the turn of your kids soon. Hopefully just as theirs start wanting long lie-ins

MyKingdomForACat · 04/05/2025 12:32

Kilroyonly · 03/05/2025 21:08

In jest absolutely not. Kids should not be allowed free rein to cause distress to people or damage their property. I assume your comment was made in jest

Show quote history

I agree with you. We have kids who DON’T EVEN LIVE HERE brought to “visit a relative” but really it’s because no one can be bothered with them. We all have to suffer the behaviour whilst the parent sits behind a closed front door. Makes me want to fucking scream at the fucking cheek of it. Lots of other neighbours are sick of it

MyKingdomForACat · 04/05/2025 12:33

Dingdong62 · 04/05/2025 12:21

This is the attitude you’re up against op. The idea it’s expected to have 60 plus balls kicked over each month or to be disturbed several times a day in your own home. Somehow you’re meant to be glad they’re not on screens as if you’re invested in these kids screen time.

I’d rather they were indoors on screens rather than the destruction and hassle they cause.

BeanQuisine · 04/05/2025 12:43

Not really sure why the doorbell is being rung. Presumably these are terrace houses and the kids can't just go and get the ball themselves.

I have a detached house surrounded by garden, drive etc. and a few times a neighbour's little boy knocked on my door, asking permission to go and get his ball from my back garden.

I eventually told him he didn't have to knock on the door, just go and get the ball, and haven't been bothered since.

MyLittleNest · 04/05/2025 12:43

Dismantle the doorbell. They can still ring it, but you won't hear anything.

It's really the mother who is the issue if you've talked to her and she isn't willing to tell her children to behave better. She's raising them to be very inconsiderate.

We had a very similar situation with the people next door. In the end, it became quite tense between me and the other mother. The boys would bang balls against the side of our house repeatedly, while I was working, no regard to nearly breaking windows, let alone damage to the home and the noise. And if their ball went over the fence, they would let themselves in and then not close the gate, putting out dogs at risk. The kids were always all over our property, cars scratched, yep. Mother was useless and after I complained enough times, she started saying I wasn't a "family-friendly" person, made me out to be some witch with the other mothers! We ended up listing the house after 3.5 of the most unrelaxing years of my life. Even the dogs were happier when we got out!

dollyblue01 · 04/05/2025 13:05

beAsensible1 · 04/05/2025 11:24

god kids can’t even play in their garden without people complaining. It’s normal for balls to go over. It’s not exactly on purpose is it.

tell them not to put bikes on your car.

children are part of society, them existing outside and figuring out social norms and interactions is part of growing up.

everyone stop being such misery guts

No one is being miserable , it’s about respecting your neighbours and not letting your kids act like thugs, maybe the mum needs to get off her arse and take them the park , instead of not giving a shit that all the neighbours are sick if her brats damaging their property, I have boys and no way would they think this behaviour was acceptable.

MyKingdomForACat · 04/05/2025 13:06

dollyblue01 · 04/05/2025 13:05

No one is being miserable , it’s about respecting your neighbours and not letting your kids act like thugs, maybe the mum needs to get off her arse and take them the park , instead of not giving a shit that all the neighbours are sick if her brats damaging their property, I have boys and no way would they think this behaviour was acceptable.

Show quote history

Indeed x

BellissimoGecko · 04/05/2025 13:06

TisILeClair · 03/05/2025 20:00

Get rid of your loud doorbell? Do you complain when a delivery driver or postman rings it? Put a gate in your fence so the kids can come and get the ball without bothering you?

Really? What a silly suggestion. Would you really want random kids in your garden? No thanks.

cherish123 · 04/05/2025 13:08

godmum56 · 03/05/2025 21:00

Have you spoken to the parent(s)?

Although, many parents won't do anything. They simply cannot say no to their child. They think the children are entitled to do as they please.

BellissimoGecko · 04/05/2025 13:09

The kids sound feral and the mum sounds as if she’s not coping.

Have you spoken to her about the kids? Tell her her kids are annoying you, their behaviour is unacceptable, and say what you’d like to happen. Ask if she needs any help and how she’s coping.

If you have told the kids nicely not to do something and they carry on, I’d shout.

BlondiePortz · 04/05/2025 13:12

BellissimoGecko · 04/05/2025 13:09

The kids sound feral and the mum sounds as if she’s not coping.

Have you spoken to her about the kids? Tell her her kids are annoying you, their behaviour is unacceptable, and say what you’d like to happen. Ask if she needs any help and how she’s coping.

If you have told the kids nicely not to do something and they carry on, I’d shout.

So the op has to put a gate in and hep the neighbours with their children?

godmum56 · 04/05/2025 13:13

cherish123 · 04/05/2025 13:08

Although, many parents won't do anything. They simply cannot say no to their child. They think the children are entitled to do as they please.

Show quote history

I agree but its a good place to start.

balzamico · 04/05/2025 13:24

if their mum is not going to teach them to behave considerately you’ll have to find your firm teacher style voice and tell them yourself. lay down your rules and stick to them. If they ring the bell and you can answer it, do so and tell them that they can have their ball back at the weekend and that they mustn’t ring again. Don’t allow the behaviour that you dont like to continue

anon666 · 04/05/2025 18:20

First post kinda nailed it and I have another suggestion. Try to cultivate a less resentful mindset. Not easy, but better for your own mental health.

My neighbours at the back all have kids playing noisily outside, the ball banging against the fence, coming over occasionally.

It started to really irritate me but then I made a concerted effort to not let it get to me. I started to think "Imagine a world where little boys didn't run around outside playing football, but instead they played on computer games 24/7 or worse - with phones and following the manosphere like Andrew Tate".

It made me feel grateful for them having a garden to get outside. They won't be young forever, and then the voices and football noises will be gone.

It made me feel less irritated.

netflixfan · 04/05/2025 18:35

Move as soon as you can. It’s only going to get worse.

godmum56 · 04/05/2025 18:44

anon666 · 04/05/2025 18:20

First post kinda nailed it and I have another suggestion. Try to cultivate a less resentful mindset. Not easy, but better for your own mental health.

My neighbours at the back all have kids playing noisily outside, the ball banging against the fence, coming over occasionally.

It started to really irritate me but then I made a concerted effort to not let it get to me. I started to think "Imagine a world where little boys didn't run around outside playing football, but instead they played on computer games 24/7 or worse - with phones and following the manosphere like Andrew Tate".

It made me feel grateful for them having a garden to get outside. They won't be young forever, and then the voices and football noises will be gone.

It made me feel less irritated.

can you hear my eyeballs rolling?

Single50something · 04/05/2025 19:08

Prob is if its not the children it will be something else. When you live close to others often have to take deep breaths.
One side we have neighbours that bbq at the first sign of spring.. so I have to dash out and get washing in often. They also play music from the kitchen so they can hear it in the garden..so i cant hear my own music.. Other side we have a misery.. if we put the hose on or start the strimmer he peers over/throw ball for dog and he watches to check not going near his garden.
Children playing is just one of those things:( but maybe they could put a net at top of their fence to keep balls in?

NC28 · 04/05/2025 19:51

The “you’ll get your balls thrown over once a week, so don’t ring my fucking doorbell again” idea is great. I’d do that.

Chuck the bikes into the road outside, don’t hesitate.

asrl78 · 04/05/2025 20:08

Dingdong62 · 04/05/2025 12:21

This is the attitude you’re up against op. The idea it’s expected to have 60 plus balls kicked over each month or to be disturbed several times a day in your own home. Somehow you’re meant to be glad they’re not on screens as if you’re invested in these kids screen time.

Children and pensioners in the UK are like God, it is bad form to direct any criticism at them because aww bless they are kids/aww bless him he's old. I live next to a family with noisy kids and it is part of the background noise for the most part. One thing I don't get, given my estate is at the end of a road, why the kids have to play and screech at the top of their voices in the road outside my house, where there is the possibility of neighbours driving in and out, instead of walking 50 meters to a large playing field.

I wait for the kids to ask for their balls back, I don't know which garden they have come from and I am not going to invest time and effort finding out.

Only once have I had a brief polite word with one neighbour when their kids were crawling under my car and I asked her to tell them not to do that. That is not annoying in itself, but it is a safety issue given I am not in the habit of looking under my car before I get in and drive off.

Kjpt140v · 04/05/2025 20:51

TisILeClair · 03/05/2025 20:00

Get rid of your loud doorbell? Do you complain when a delivery driver or postman rings it? Put a gate in your fence so the kids can come and get the ball without bothering you?

Put a gate in the fence? Really?