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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to put a big trampoline in the front garden?

47 replies

Horshamchildminder · 07/07/2010 06:58

MIL has a 10ft trampoline she says we can have but I don't want it taking over our back garden. I had the idea of putting it in the front garden - which would take over it completly but currently we don't use it for anything. THe children would obviously only be able to go on it when I am with them all the time but I am happy with that as I worry about them on the trampoline anyway and it would keep it more interesting for them if they can't go on it all the time.

But I am worried I will annoy the neighbours or something. And I would have to look at it out the front room window of course, but I think I can live with that.

What do you think? Its just an idea, haven't even suggested it to DH yet or even measured to see if it will fit!

OP posts:
brimfull · 07/07/2010 07:05

I have often thought our front garden is underused. OUrs is bigger than the back and flatter .
Go for it -you can always move it if it's a pain.

Original poster
Horshamchildminder · 07/07/2010 07:13

Thanks. Its a small front garden, as half is driveway which I use (although I guess I don't really need to as there is ample parking anyway).

It also has the enclosure so would block my living room window a fair bit.

I don't think it is easy to put up/put down. DH said it took them forever to get it up at his mums (she is also a CM).

But otherwise the front garden is just wasted space. We haven't exactly looked after it so doesn't look great anyway (plan to sort it out for next year though - moved in here in april and have been too busy).

OP posts:
kreecherlivesupstairs · 07/07/2010 07:35

I'd go for it without question.

Original poster
Horshamchildminder · 07/07/2010 07:37

Cool, so nobody thinks I should ask the neighbours or anything?

OP posts:
satc2bringiton · 07/07/2010 07:48

It would depend on the garden, but sounds like it could work for you.

I would be very if one of my neighbours did it, but we have very open front gardens - no walls, bushes etc. It would just look odd

Original poster
Horshamchildminder · 07/07/2010 07:52

It might look odd here too. We all have small fences sectioning off our gardens. About 3-4 foot open fences?

The garden is small enough that the tampoline would take over ALL of it, I would think, although as I say I haven't measured it yet (will do later).

A few neighbours have toys out the front for their DC to play, mostly on the corners where the back gardens arn't so big.

Our back garden is quite big but love it how it is and a 10ft trampoline will just spoil it I think.

OP posts:
satc2bringiton · 07/07/2010 08:00

You could try it and see how it works out, maybe mention it to the neighbours to warn them too.

Have you thought about from a business POV? Would it put off future parents etc, Ofsted could be a bit funny about it. Im a CM too, which is why I thought about that.

PickleSarnie · 07/07/2010 08:04

We have a covenant which details what we can and can't put in the front garden. Fences, walls and caravans for example are banned. I doubt any covenant would specifically mention trampolines but there may be something about stationary objects over a certain side etc. Worth checking before you assemble it. As a grumpy cow, I think I'd be a bit miffed if my neighbours put a massive trampoline in the front garden.

tryingtoleave · 07/07/2010 08:12

My parents' neighbours have put up a big trampoline and swingset in tehir front garden. It looks a little odd, but it hasn't bothered any of the neighbours.

LIZS · 07/07/2010 08:15

Won't neighbouring kids see it as a free for all ?

RunawayWife · 07/07/2010 08:17

Have you thought of unwanted random children using it?

Original poster
Horshamchildminder · 07/07/2010 08:50

Yes I thought about from a CM point of few and I thought that as long as it was clear that they would only be using it when me or DH is out there with them, it would be fine?

I did think about random unwanted children, as some people on this street don't seem to care where their kids go. But TBH I know them all and it wouldn't be the end of the world. Although I would prefer them not to use it. They would have to come through the driveway to the front garden though, which my car is usually on so its a small gap to get through (I sometimes can't get the buggy through!)

OP posts:
jumpingjackhash · 07/07/2010 08:57

It's nothing to do with your neighbours what you put in your own front garden, although I would be a bit miffed if one of mine put at 10ft trampoline in theirs (I'm such a NIMBY!).

It would be a shame if your decent-sized front garden isn't used for something.

Alternatively, could you not just leave it at your MILs for your kids to play on when they visit there?

Rollmops · 07/07/2010 09:43

Vile, vile, vile things trampolines are, hence YABU. In my not-so-humble-opinion.

jeee · 07/07/2010 09:45

I'd be worried about drunks using it after pub closing time

Original poster
Horshamchildminder · 07/07/2010 09:47

We don't really get drunks down here. Its a quiet road, that only residents use really.

OP posts:
LIZS · 07/07/2010 09:49

and if a stray unsupervised child had a mishap...?

katiestar · 07/07/2010 09:51

How close would it be to the neighbour's window?

trixie123 · 07/07/2010 09:53

Agree with LIZS and its very very sad that you have to think about this but if some random child did get on it and have an accident would you be in any way liable?

fortyplus · 07/07/2010 09:57

YANBU because you've asked But since you have - it would be VU to put it in a front garden for all the reasons outlined below. Does it come apart easily? If so why not just put it up for the summer holidays in the back garden then shove it in the shed if you have one.

4andnotout · 07/07/2010 10:34

I'm in exactly the same situation, mum wants to get rid of her trampoline which my dd's love but it won't physically fit in my back garden but would fit out the front/side of the house where we already have a swingset.

Catper33 · 07/07/2010 10:35

Perhaps the first thing to consider is how safe is it to have the Trampoline there any way?? ie. How close it is to the wall of the house,any windows, bushes,trees,fence etc. You say it will take over the whole garden which implies that the garden is possibly too small for the tramp to be located there safely.

LaBellaSantaCatarinadiSienna · 07/07/2010 10:40

My brother got his trampoline dug into the ground, (so its at ground level, rather than high up) which would make it (and the children bouncing on it)less obtrusive?

bbee · 07/07/2010 10:45

I'd be concerned about drunks but if you don't get drunks then just plain idiots passing in the night or early hours and then being suied you know how stupid things can get. As for how it would look, if someone was moving into the area it could put them off as it could be seen as no peace area ie front gardens underused which is a shame but you have to think of the look and if you were selling at sometime would you want to move it to encourage buyers. Also if people don't "respect" the front of their homes it means others think oh we could put whatever in the front of ours and before you know it there are all sorts in you street and you could change the way front gardens look forever!!!!!!!!! I know, I know but the gin away and get on with some work!

Safety first though as Catper33 says.

bbee · 07/07/2010 10:46

keyboard playing up - should have read put away the gin not but - amongst one or two other typos.

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