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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Kids knocking on doors d running away!

102 replies

Imsofatqq · 01/08/2025 17:13

I caught one today. Have no idea who she is and asked her why she’s doing it. She responded she didn’t do it, I then showed her my ring doorbell. She looks about 12 I think.

The Mum thinks it’s completely harmless. I explained there are millions of other games she could play that didn’t involve disturbing her neighbours

OP posts:
Boomer55 · 01/08/2025 17:16

It used to be called Knock Down Ginger. It’s annoying but as old as the hills. Kids do grow out of it. 👍

Gowlett · 01/08/2025 17:17

We had great fun doing this. They won’t stop!
Getting caught actually adds to the excitement.

Whatadayyyyyyy · 01/08/2025 17:18

Yea definitely don’t react that will just encourage them as annoying as it is

Justanotherday1234 · 01/08/2025 17:18

The ring doorbell just adds a good layer of jeopardy imo

itsmeits · 01/08/2025 17:20

Just be thankful it's knock a door run and not man or mouse!
You have the bonus you can check the door camera and see if its worth getting up for. Fingers crossed she stops now whe knows she's being recorded.

DollopOfFun · 01/08/2025 17:21

These modern day kids eh, whatever will they invent next!

beetr00 · 01/08/2025 17:22

Justanotherday1234 · 01/08/2025 17:18

The ring doorbell just adds a good layer of jeopardy imo

absolutely 😆

It is annoying though.

Thisisnotmyid · 01/08/2025 17:23

It’s a game OP. We did it as kids and loved it although it’s only now as an adult I can appreciate how it might have pissed people off 😆

just ignore the door and let them have fun

Blarn · 01/08/2025 17:27

Knock door run. My dc know it as ding done ditch for some unfathomable reason!

Mumski45 · 01/08/2025 17:27

I can’t believe how much some of you are minimising this. We had it from some local kids and it progressed to kicking the door hard enough to damage the door frame window sill and plasterboard inside. It was happening at 2am in the morning and we were regularly woken up. We sent the footage to the local police who worked out who it was and went to have a word and thankfully it seems to have stopped.

ChuffingNoraah · 01/08/2025 17:28

Tale as old as time. I’m an extremely boring law abiding citizen with a responsible job and even I have memories of doing the same at a similar age. Irritating but I can’t get worked up about it personally.

More fascinating are the huge regional variations in the name of this particular ‘game’!

ErlingHaalandsManBun · 01/08/2025 17:35

We all played this when we were kids didn't we? God it was so much fun. I remember laughing and laughing. The prospect of getting caught just made it more exciting. 😂

Its just kid stuff. Its annoying, of course it is. But I promise you now, the more annoyed you get, the more you react, the more of a challenge you become and the more they will target you.

Best just to ignore if you can.

SprayWhiteDung · 01/08/2025 17:36

If they pick on somebody who is elderly and frail and/or disabled - or neurodiverse or who has mental health issues - this could potentially cause a lot of upset, pain/discomfort and/or other difficulties, as well as being deeply irritating, of course.

I suppose teenagers aren't traditionally the best at thinking from less privileged people's perspective, though; and can be quite entitled if they're having fun.

Original poster
Imsofatqq · 01/08/2025 17:37

I would never let my kids do this! I’m so surprised loads of you saying it’s okay. I can agree if it was 5 year olds and would think it was cute but seriously?!

it’s my private property and unless I’m best friends with the mother s d know her kids by name there’s no way this is acceptable behaviour.

OP posts:
Original poster
Imsofatqq · 01/08/2025 17:38

SprayWhiteDung · 01/08/2025 17:36

If they pick on somebody who is elderly and frail and/or disabled - or neurodiverse or who has mental health issues - this could potentially cause a lot of upset, pain/discomfort and/or other difficulties, as well as being deeply irritating, of course.

I suppose teenagers aren't traditionally the best at thinking from less privileged people's perspective, though; and can be quite entitled if they're having fun.

Edited

Tbh I am struggling mentally. I’m in a very dark place right now.

OP posts:
Judiezones · 01/08/2025 17:39

Ignore it. It's just a game as old as the hills but some kids are looking for a reaction and if you give them one, they will plague you.

Original poster
Imsofatqq · 01/08/2025 17:39

I never played this! No one in my neighbourhood ever did. Didn’t even know it had a name lol

OP posts:
Original poster
Imsofatqq · 01/08/2025 17:40

Judiezones · 01/08/2025 17:39

Ignore it. It's just a game as old as the hills but some kids are looking for a reaction and if you give them one, they will plague you.

thank you! Please give me advice on how not to let it get to me as I feel my personal space is being invaded if that makes sense. My curtains and blinds are open and I feel unable to relax

OP posts:
Itiswhysofew · 01/08/2025 17:42

Knock a Dolly out of bed - that's what we called it.
I wouldn't mind the odd knock. Too many and I'd be MAD AS HELL😂

Original poster
Imsofatqq · 01/08/2025 17:42

I’m really starting to hate the summer holidays. I love spending time with my kids but I absolutely hate other people’s! Not all the time btw, I’m a really nice person honestly but right now I’m just done with everyone, I want to be left alone. Today was the straw that broke the camels back

OP posts:
Original poster
Imsofatqq · 01/08/2025 17:43

The funny thing is I sent my kids to grandmas today and I thought I would clean and relax but I feel so dysregulated . My nervous system is so on edge.

OP posts:
itsmeits · 01/08/2025 17:44

Imsofatqq · 01/08/2025 17:37

I would never let my kids do this! I’m so surprised loads of you saying it’s okay. I can agree if it was 5 year olds and would think it was cute but seriously?!

it’s my private property and unless I’m best friends with the mother s d know her kids by name there’s no way this is acceptable behaviour.

Edited

Can I ask how you would know your children weren't doing this?
They get older they go out unsupervised.
I've told mine not to do it, I can only hope they dont.
My parents told me not to do it.... yet I did and played on and off from 12-15! We didn't taget the same houses all the time, but would go back if we'd had a reaction.

Original poster
Imsofatqq · 01/08/2025 17:44

I just feel so done with life tbh. Don’t worry I’m not going to act on it!

OP posts:
Yabberwok · 01/08/2025 17:44

Knock out ginger....we made our mate smudger do it on his stag do

Rizzz · 01/08/2025 17:46

How did you catch her? Did you run after her?

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