Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Using the garden

33 replies

Nursing83 · 24/03/2020 11:19

I an prepared to be told I'm an idiot but are children still allowed out in a privately enclosed garden? My neighbour came round and told me they shouldn't be out and he'll call the police if I keep letting them play out FWIW our garden is probably 30ft x 25ft and they are playing alongside the other side fence (end of terrace) so nowhere near his house. Are they really not allowed to play out? This is the only thing saving my sanity at the moment as they definitely wont go for a daily walk or anything (3 and 4 years) without complaining the whole time.

OP posts:
Teddypops · 24/03/2020 11:20

Of course they are.

KTD27 · 24/03/2020 11:20

What a load of shit. Of course they are

inwood · 24/03/2020 11:21

your neighbour shouldn't be coming round to you!

ilovecakeandwine · 24/03/2020 11:22

Ffs I wish people would mind their own business.
Just ignore the nutter .

YakkityYakYakYak · 24/03/2020 11:22

Yes, definitely okay to use your own garden! Going to spend next weekend clearing and tidying ours so we can get out and enjoy it.

Fatted · 24/03/2020 11:23

They are allowed out in a private garden. My DC will hopefully be spending the entire time they are off school out in our garden!

Our neighbour sounds like an arse hole.

unhappyclap · 24/03/2020 11:24

Tell your neighbour he should be stayin in his house, not coming round to yours! You are allowed to use your own garden under these restrictions.

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 24/03/2020 11:25

I am so thankful we have a decent sized garden, I think it will save me if we are in this for the long haul.

Of course we are allowed out in our private gardens. As long as you aren't inviting the street round for a bbq, you are fine to use it.

Just make sure you aren't kicking balls over or the like.

Justmuddlingalong · 24/03/2020 11:26

Hasn't this virus shown people for the heros /arseholes that they really are? He's being ridiculous. Ignore him for eternity he's shown his true colours.

HasaDigaEebowai · 24/03/2020 11:26

Yes of course they can play in their own enclosed garden.

Connie222 · 24/03/2020 11:27

Let him try and waste police time.
Idiot.

bank100 · 24/03/2020 11:27

Yes they can.
It's probably just the noise irritating him if they're being loud and out there a lot?

QuimJongUn · 24/03/2020 11:30

Tell him you'll call the police about him for being out when he's no need to be/not observing social distancing by knocking on your door.

What a (misinformed) bellend.

Original poster
Nursing83 · 24/03/2020 11:32

Thanks. The noise is probably annoying him as they go to preschool a lot during the week.

Annoyingly despite DH and I both being keyworkers preschool are refusing to open the 1 day a week we need them but that's a whole other thread

OP posts:
Tartyflette · 24/03/2020 11:33

Let him call the police!
IF they come round (highly, highly unlikely) you can report him for coming to your house unnecessarily.
It's more likely the police will take absolutely no notice other than to, er, point out he is wrong.
Even if he lies exaggerates, I still wouldn't worry about it.

Taddda · 24/03/2020 11:36

Let him call the police, see what response he gets from them for wasting their time...arsehole!

I've seen so many 'I'm going to call the police if I see......' threads today! Please, let them do their jobs- their not just the 'Corona' police now ffs.

LoudBatPerson · 24/03/2020 11:39

Yes a private garden is fine. He shouldn't go to anyone's door though!

Obviously a bit of common sense ie. not chatting over the fence with neighbours (if you are closer than two meters).

Maybe try to limit the noise if you can, but at the end of the day a little bit of noise is not that much of a disruption in these circumstances.

I do feel for anyone who has no private garden.

ifonly4 · 24/03/2020 11:41

There's a one meter rule in some countries, ie you can't go within one meter of your boundary, that way if your neighbours does the same, everyone is two meters apart. So, I'd say take that into account, and enjoy your garden while the weather is nice.

niffynoonoo · 24/03/2020 11:47

the situation and "rules" just don`t seem to be getting through around here. Just had a 7yr old boy knock on the door for his ball kicked in our garden!!! I mean WTF. WHAT were his parents thinking???

MIL got FIL to drop her off and popped into a butcher, Aldi etc!! Just because she fancies pizza`s at some point lol.

I think its gonna get stricter.

Kelsoooo · 24/03/2020 11:50

Private garden is fine.
Even a playarea is fine, the play equipment is shut but surrounding land isn't. Observe social distancing.

Maydayredalert · 24/03/2020 11:51

Let him call them. Hopefully he'll get a bollocking from them for wasting their time!

Chanel05 · 24/03/2020 11:54

Absolutely fine. Sounds like your neighbour doesn't like noise from the kids. Hard luck! Hope they enjoy the fresh air and sunshine ☀️.

Taddda · 24/03/2020 11:57

@LoudBatPerson Thanks for mentioning the people who don't have a garden! I have two little Dd's, live inner city and no garden or immediate access to outdoor space for them.

So to the people saying 'make sure your children don't make too much noise in your garden', as it might in some way be intruding upon your comfortable lockdown, spare a thought maybe, thanks...

BriefDisaster · 24/03/2020 12:02

Oh god I hope I don't have any idiots like this when my two go out after lunch.

IntermittentParps · 24/03/2020 12:14

I read somewhere that in one country at least, people aren't allowed even in their own gardens. But we are –for now –so make the most of it!