Boys and Balls - the bane of my life

[Enid]

why why why do groups of boys, ok, children but its mainly boys, have to play football in a) picnic areas b) on the beach next to me and my family c) in swimming pools?

JUST DON't DO IT

stop the football madness or bugger off and play where there are no people trying to eat/feed a baby/relax

there I feel better now

I'm with Enid. Lat year we stayed at a Haven holiday park when our DTS were 16 months old. We put them to bed at 7pm. Unfortunately, their bedroom was facing a communal green area where men and boys alike played football until it was dark. The ball kept hitting the twins window so after the about the 5th time, I went out and ordered them to stop hitting the window because my babies were trying to sleep. They knew from the manic look on my face that I meant business and the ball did not hit their window again.

This year we stayed at a Hoburne Naish site near the New Forest and ball games were only allowed in designated sites and holiday makers were told not to play ball games around acccommodation because it may annoy others. Even my FIL commented on the fact that this stance added to the quality of the holiday.

I have no problem with ball players if they are considerate of others around them but more often than not, they are not and to me, that is just extremely bad manners.

Well I'm completely with you Enid. We were at a country park the other week and there were some idiots playing football on a small patch of grass right next to the path to the cafe, hall, toilets etc so quite a busy thoroughfare. I was walking along and got hit square in the jaw by this football, really knocked me for six, dread to think if it had been a child. Lad only apologised when I had a go at him, his mother just stood there . There were acres of open park space but they had to play there!!!! I heard him mutter about it being a park but he waited til I was walking away, wasn't brave enough to say it to my face!!! So whatever you are Enid I'm one too now

ds1 first word was ball (honest)

like southeastra I would rollick him if he was annoying people

but until then he can happily kick away

In a pedestrianised High Street shopping area the other week and got very annoyed by a man with his two sons playing football (maybe they were waiting for the Mommy to finish shopping) but they were really booting it all over the place.

I would find it annoying if they were being inconsiderate, Enid, and it sounds like they were. I have seen a two year old hit in the face with a football and it was not pretty.

I agree with Enid. I've got 2 boys who are obviously the only 2 boys on the planet not interested in kicking balls. In fact as DS1 gets older it becomes more difficult for him as that seems to be the only way many boys play.

There were boys playing with balls in the middle of our campsite last week and we kept getting hit by them on the way to the loo.

You need lots of clear space to play with a football. My boys don't run around aimlessly - they run around chasing Cybermen or having Yugi-Oh! duels or pretending to be the fastest boys in the world....

Now come on chaps, give Enid a bit of support. I have a mad-about-football boy who plays it in the garage (don't ask) and anywhere else he gets a chance, but (I hope) is always considerate to others when playing in a communal area.

I would always speak to children who are being inconsiderate and nicely point out alternatives to their behaviour.

Enid, I think you're brave to raise this and hope you don't feel everyone is getting at you. I hope that the postings have helped you chill out and have a laugh but I appreciate the more serious point. Not everyone is as considerate as they could be and unfortunately sensible adults often have to point wayward kids in the direction of good citizenship when their own parents are either ignoring the issue or not around!