next doors toys (UPDATE)

next door to us has a little boy james whose about 6 and a little girl skye whose about 7 or 8. the thing is cos the weather is nice the kids have been out playing and james ball came over the fence yesterday but Lottie got ot it first. It was only a little flimsy thing and i told his mum I would replace his ball this once. Just now I noticed the dogs running round when they were chewing ice cubes a minute ago and they are chasing each other playing with a frisby. I know its not their frisby so it must belong to James. What would you do. Its not like I can say to the dogs "look if its not yours dont touch it" wish I could but I am not replacing his toys when the dogs get them. He should be told to be careful with his toys. Every summer since we moved in this house I have constantly been throwing his toys back well this year theyre getting ruined and I am not paying to replace them its not my fault. I love the kids playing and they pop up over the fence to say hello and have a chat (which they have been told not to do now unless we are there now cos of lottie) its just the toy issue

I agree, let the dogs have them

I would have a quiet word with the parents and say although you will do your best to get the toys back some will be eaten as you cant tell them what they can and cant play with
Other than that you could suggest they put a netting on top of the fence to avoid them going into your garden
When my kids were little although we had dogs ourselves our nextdoor neighbours had dogs which would chew any toy that went over the fence our kids lernt the hard way when toys went over but never came back
now our kids go to the local park to play ball as skye wants to eat the balls as well lol

looks like you are gonna save a fortune this summer on toys for your dogs i would have a word n just say sorry but you cant get there quick enough before the dogs get em,just to keep the peace!

Tilly has killed a few of the little girl next doors balls and they just have to learn . It isn't nice when I see her in tears but she's been told time and time again. Parents are ok and understanding and they all love Tilly anyway so it's just a bit of hard luck really

I dont think I would worry about it too much, if you have already mentioned that you have dogs they must accept the fact that they will get to them first. I guess you could always let them have the toys back when finished with.

Gazagem wrote:I would have a quiet word with the parents and say although you will do your best to get the toys back some will be eaten as you cant tell them what they can and cant play with
Other than that you could suggest they put a netting on top of the fence to avoid them going into your garden

Same here. There's really not much else you can do.

Agree I'd have a talk with the parents but wouldn't feel obligated to pay for anything that got broke

Tough spot as its tough to see little kids bummed out but they gotta learn. I think you are being more than fair.

Dont sweat it Julie. You are not responsible and the kids must learn. I would not even make an issue of it other than a mention to the parents and certainly would not replace the toys when they get chowed.

so i was in town today and went into the shop and as i said i would i replaced the ball from next door. when they got in from school i walked down my drive, up there drive and went in the back garden. i gave james a ball and left there house and cam ehome to mine. i had got in told gemma where i had been then looked out and guess what the dogs were in the process of pulling apart. you guessed it the new ball i had just taken next door. they shouted and told me and then their mum called them in and they didnt play out again for the rest of the evening. it was only half 3 when i wen tround there

You just can't win, can you?

You could be going round in circles with this one Julie

Kind of funny to be honest, kids never learn do they?
I Wouldnt worry about it as their mum obviously agrees with you in that the kids will need to be more careful!

well i told them thats the last one i would be buying and i meant it

I wouldn't worry about replacing the toys. We're teaching our kids to be responsible for their stuff. If they leave it lying about, or it gets destroyed because they let it get into a yard with a dog, well, hey maybe they'll learn to be more careful! Great learning opportunity for the kids and one I hope their mother takes advantage of. Just think, you, Lemmy and Lottie are giving these kids the chance to learn a valuable lesson that will stand them in good stead throughout their lives hehehe (Rascal-girl here, can't remember my login so am signed in under hubby!!!)

You have been a very considerate and responsible neighbour and done more than expected. Good advice above, luckily the parents are ok.