Oh lawks I have become one of those miserable neighbours who won't give the ball back

[FrannyandZooey]

Please help me out here. Next door's second youngest is 5 and he is forever chucking balls over our fence and then shouting for ds to get them for him. Ds (who is 4) feels important to be doing it and will always break off what he is doing to go and chuck the ball back.

However this often happens at mealtimes when I prefer ds NOT to keep getting down from the table, and also sometimes happens in the evening when dp and I are trying to veg out. Neighbours go to bed late so at 9 pm or so he will be shouting "DS! DS! DS!" over the fence until one of us come. Ds luckily stays fast asleep.

WWYD? I am 99% sure that sometimes he does it on purpose because he is bored and wants ds to come out. They do play together sometimes and that's fine with me - but I would like him to come and knock on our door and ask, if he wants ds to come out and play.

Oh that is the other thing - if we don't go out to get the ball (whether we're ignoring him or just don't hear him) he comes over the fence to get it. Now I REALLY don't like that. Am I just being an uptight arse? I suspect perhaps yes

yes that is the thing though, just lobbing a ball over because you are bored is a bit sad isn't it, and I am not even playing along with it

we do have him over to play most times that ds asks, but it usually ends in a scuffle so I am not exactly falling over myself to include him all the time

I feel mean Often we are doing something in the garden together and he will just be staring over the fence, bored. I could easily invite him round more frequently but don't

you're inviting him round more often than his parents are inviting your ds, though, aren't you? i think you're being too soft, tbh.

although like speccy says, lots of smiles while you tell him about the new regime.

yes

hmm

maybe

not convinced

I am not known for being unduly soft, really, I think I am probably being MEAN

What Twig said. You are definitely not being unreasonable.

lol, speccy.
yeah franny, worrabitchyouare... you should adopt the little angel.

Hmm

ack

I obviously have guilt to expurge

is there a "please DO say I am being unreasonable" section?

it must be difficult when your understanding of what constitutes a 'miserable neighbour' is derived from The Dandy. Why you pesky, no-good etc etc etc..!

hold it right there Ms Aitch I have just seen on another thread that you have allegedly been copying my posting style

hmmm HHHMMM I am off to investigate this

don't move till I come back

ach, it was just a wee

A TWIRL? A TWIRL?

I just spent 10 mins reading a thread about Spongebob cake in the vague possibility you might have mimicked me on there and I come back to find that my entire posting style is mimicked to a FUCKING TWIRL???

ooh look I did bold and italics together

I didn't think that was going to work, to be frank

well done. perhaps that can be your new style?

well done. perhaps that can be your new style?

ooooh, twice.

You are an uptight arse with smelly tops.

ooh don't hold back now

really, do you think so? Guide me in the ways of being not uptight, if possible

(p.s. have changed top since then you know)

Pop it.

he has several

No. You are not being an arse. I would be mightily p'd off if anyone climbed into my garden.

I think you need to talk to his parents.

But make sure you've got another clean top on.

I do usually have a clean top on. It was just that one day

Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop....

Suppose not. But sounds like it's time for a Stern Talk. Can't you frighten him a bit? We're in an end terraced with an open gate into our yard and the local small youths (they all play out round here ) are go through phases of kicking their ball into our yard. I don't mind them coming to get them but I growl every now and then at them and they're pretty good and say sorry and stuff.

F&Z are you my other next door neighbour? I've got the same problem!