Most of us swear to ourselves now and again to remain calm and composed when somebody or something provokes our anger. But if we get angry enough, we all know how taking the high road just doesn’t cut it. This is exactly why we have to admire one Australian man's patience and level-headedness after a neighbour's child pushed him to the brink with their misbehaviour.

A neighbour’s child tested an Australian man’s patience and level-headedness. Image source: Ollie Craig from pexels.

Social media user @javelinface recently shared the note he sent to his neighbours after their kid's annoying antics.

'Neighbour's kids keep throwing stuff over the fence. Balls. Toy cars. Shoes. Bottles. Rubbish. Keys,' he said, adding that the child had thrown a ball so hard that it came smashing into their side light.

'I was pretty d*** close to sending the ball back over with a knife stuck in it,' the man wrote.

An annoyed neighbour left a polite but firm note for the parents of the kid who kept throwing stuff over the fence. Image source: Twitter/javelinface.

He added that while he empathised with the parents as the child was recently diagnosed with ADHD, he’s also familiar with the condition.

‘I was extremely ADHD as a child, and still knew boundaries,’ he said. ‘By being ADHD myself, I am empathising less.’

It is unclear if this was a self-diagnosis on his part.

Rather than seek revenge, he sent his neighbour a polite but firm note explaining that the ball had broken their side light and warned that if it happened again, he wouldn't be returning the child's items.

His decision to act calmly and maturely was widely praised online, with many people commending him on his level-headed response to the annoying situation.

One user wrote, 'This is a much nicer note than I would have left, that’s for sure. They also wouldn’t be getting any of their stuff back.'

Another added, 'Our neighbours' kids have damaged our fence twice kicking their footballs. They are old enough to know better (10+years) yet they continue to climb over our fence to their balls when we’re not there.'

A third said, 'Totally sympathise. Our neighbours' kid constantly kicks his ball, sometimes two or three in our garden every day. We chuck it back and it’s over again 10 minutes later. The dad’s an a**e so there’s no getting through to them. The knife is a tempting solution.'

We all know that Australia is a great place to grow up, with lots of open spaces and plenty of recreational activities for children to enjoy. Unfortunately, this great environment lends itself to a little too much fun at times, particularly when it comes to certain kids pestering their neighbours.

We only hope his young neighbour caught on to his hint and refrained from sending toys flying over the fence!

Understanding ADHD in Children

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), with a deeper understanding, can be seen as a livewire that kids deal with every day. It's known to affect their impulse control, concentration abilities, and social interactions–often leaving them vulnerable and misunderstood. However, it's not the kids' mission to drive us up the wall–it's something they grapple with on a regular basis.

ADHD is primarily due to reduced volume of certain brain structures, with a particular emphasis on the frontal lobe. This part of the brain is associated with executive functions like decision-making or impulse control.

It’s important to remember that it’s more complicated when dealing with ADHD. Kids aren’t behaving this way by choice, and reactions like impulsive ball-throwing are often beyond their conscious control. Alongside parental guidance and behavioural therapy, medical intervention is sometimes necessary to help the brain better manage impulse control.

Children with ADHD may not fully comprehend the boundaries they cross until the problem reaches an apex–like smashing a neighbour’s light. The kids are not just being naughty; they need support and understanding from adults around them. They may also be the ones more frustrated than anyone else.

It might be more productive–and less destructive–to consider their unique circumstances, approach their parents politely, and recommend seeking professional help. After all, we were all kids once, right? But imagine if we had ADHD on top of just plain old mischief.

Let's exercise a bit more patience and empathy towards others! And always remember that a calm and polite approach is generally the best, particularly with kids.

Have you ever had an issue with a neighbour's kids behaving badly? What did you do, and what was the outcome? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!

 

[StarTrekker]

Our neighbour's kids I find are really good.
It is their dogs that are annoying. I have three neighbours all with dogs.
They bark all day and night. I cannot go into my backyard without them barking their heads off.
If people want pets, train them to only bark when necessary.

 

[SGH]

We went through this problem every time we were posted to a new location, thankfully once we retired and moved back to our house most of the neighbours are around the same age. The only kids are grandchildren and they are only here on short breaks. Ah bliss.

 

[Jennie]

Our neighbour's kids I find are really good.
It is their dogs that are annoying. I have three neighbours all with dogs.
They bark all day and night. I cannot go into my backyard without them barking their heads off.
If people want pets, train them to only bark when necessary.

I have the same problem with a dog. The one behind us is s nasty dog that jumps st the fence trying to get over, snarls and barks whenever we go towards the back of our backyard. I have told the neighbours that if it gets over it will be dead as it is either it or me. It is a savage pig dog. Why people have to get savage dogs in suburbia.

 

[Donna May]

Most of us swear to ourselves now and again to remain calm and composed when somebody or something provokes our anger. But if we get angry enough, we all know how taking the high road just doesn’t cut it. This is exactly why we have to admire one Australian man's patience and level-headedness after a neighbour's child pushed him to the brink with their misbehaviour.

View attachment 27162

A neighbour’s child tested an Australian man’s patience and level-headedness. Image source: Ollie Craig from pexels.

Social media user @javelinface recently shared the note he sent to his neighbours after their kid's annoying antics.

'Neighbour's kids keep throwing stuff over the fence. Balls. Toy cars. Shoes. Bottles. Rubbish. Keys,' he said, adding that the child had thrown a ball so hard that it came smashing into their side light.

'I was pretty d*** close to sending the ball back over with a knife stuck in it,' the man wrote.

View attachment 27163

An annoyed neighbour left a polite but firm note for the parents of the kid who kept throwing stuff over the fence. Image source: Twitter/javelinface.

He added that while he empathised with the parents as the child was recently diagnosed with ADHD, he’s also familiar with the condition.

‘I was extremely ADHD as a child, and still knew boundaries,’ he said. ‘By being ADHD myself, I am empathising less.’

It is unclear if this was a self-diagnosis on his part.

Rather than seek revenge, he sent his neighbour a polite but firm note explaining that the ball had broken their side light and warned that if it happened again, he wouldn't be returning the child's items.

His decision to act calmly and maturely was widely praised online, with many people commending him on his level-headed response to the annoying situation.

One user wrote, 'This is a much nicer note than I would have left, that’s for sure. They also wouldn’t be getting any of their stuff back.'

Another added, 'Our neighbours' kids have damaged our fence twice kicking their footballs. They are old enough to know better (10+years) yet they continue to climb over our fence to their balls when we’re not there.'

A third said, 'Totally sympathise. Our neighbours' kid constantly kicks his ball, sometimes two or three in our garden every day. We chuck it back and it’s over again 10 minutes later. The dad’s an a**e so there’s no getting through to them. The knife is a tempting solution.'

We all know that Australia is a great place to grow up, with lots of open spaces and plenty of recreational activities for children to enjoy. Unfortunately, this great environment lends itself to a little too much fun at times, particularly when it comes to certain kids pestering their neighbours.

We only hope his young neighbour caught on to his hint and refrained from sending toys flying over the fence!

Understanding ADHD in Children

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), with a deeper understanding, can be seen as a livewire that kids deal with every day. It's known to affect their impulse control, concentration abilities, and social interactions–often leaving them vulnerable and misunderstood. However, it's not the kids' mission to drive us up the wall–it's something they grapple with on a regular basis.

ADHD is primarily due to reduced volume of certain brain structures, with a particular emphasis on the frontal lobe. This part of the brain is associated with executive functions like decision-making or impulse control.

It’s important to remember that it’s more complicated when dealing with ADHD. Kids aren’t behaving this way by choice, and reactions like impulsive ball-throwing are often beyond their conscious control. Alongside parental guidance and behavioural therapy, medical intervention is sometimes necessary to help the brain better manage impulse control.

Children with ADHD may not fully comprehend the boundaries they cross until the problem reaches an apex–like smashing a neighbour’s light. The kids are not just being naughty; they need support and understanding from adults around them. They may also be the ones more frustrated than anyone else.

It might be more productive–and less destructive–to consider their unique circumstances, approach their parents politely, and recommend seeking professional help. After all, we were all kids once, right? But imagine if we had ADHD on top of just plain old mischief.

Let's exercise a bit more patience and empathy towards others! And always remember that a calm and polite approach is generally the best, particularly with kids.

Have you ever had an issue with a neighbour's kids behaving badly? What did you do, and what was the outcome? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!

I believe growing up in the fifties with control by parents was strict, with a sharp slap that did no harm, this is not allowed these days. We had to knock at the neighbours door to request entry into their yard to retrieve our balls, which were very expensive for our parents. All our neighbours knew us and we were asked by our neighbours to help them in their gardens and rewarded with a sixpence, which to me was a fortune. I found as I grew older and in my fifties to sixties that there are no manners taught to children. I have had garbage, cans, rubbish, newspapers etc thrown over the fence, Any complaint was just shrugged off by parents, not worth my effort. I would not bring myself down to their level and throw back so resorted to putting in my rubbish bin. This same family had no pretences about stomping through my yard and Garden. I am now 77 and find that young men, particularly LG are the quickest to offer to open doors for me, lift heavy groceries into my car. I have no answers but I believe this man did the correct thing by advising in writing with photographic evidence. Regardless of ADHD condition it applies to any child. I would try this tack before requesting assistance from Police, as it can become uncontrollable. I tried mediation with my neighbours after their two cats defecated in my vegetable patch. This did not work and they retaliated by throwing rusty iron roofing nails onto my lawn, this was reported to the police and I never had a problem again. Police said malicious intent. This is a very different world these days. I can only hope we can learn to live in peace with our neighbours.

 

[Jennylolo]

11 years in current house and still getting balls and things over the fence from the back neighbour. First year threw them back over. However I rarely go down the steps to the bottom other than for a clean up palm tree debris for green waste. I no longer throw back over. Not once have they come around the block to ask for anything. They obviously are given replacements.
Kids aren't taught enough. I am a teacher nearing 50 years- all grades but currently in high school only, and the last 2 decades I saw behaviour declining quite rapidly and its got to a point now instead of only a few being an issue - its the other way around. They generally lack respect for people and property, and they harass staff regularly and laugh and walk off or simply walk out of the room being abusive, in defiance.
Families have to teach their kids. How do they expect us, especially in high schools, to have much input when we see them for 4 lessons in a week each. They need to step up. Unfortunately in some instances the parents behave the same way as their children. And I am not in a tough school by any means! It's sad.

 

[SGH]

I'm hearing we didn't do it in the 50's and 60's, our yards were much bigger then, even with my children in their mid 40's they had a good sized yard to play in. And if they weren't playing they would be at sport or some other recreation to keep them busy. The houses around the new estate the yards are tiny, even below 400m2 no room to swing a cat, let alone house a dog and a family of three or four.

 

[Tygie]

Most of us swear to ourselves now and again to remain calm and composed when somebody or something provokes our anger. But if we get angry enough, we all know how taking the high road just doesn’t cut it. This is exactly why we have to admire one Australian man's patience and level-headedness after a neighbour's child pushed him to the brink with their misbehaviour.

View attachment 27162

A neighbour’s child tested an Australian man’s patience and level-headedness. Image source: Ollie Craig from pexels.

Social media user @javelinface recently shared the note he sent to his neighbours after their kid's annoying antics.

'Neighbour's kids keep throwing stuff over the fence. Balls. Toy cars. Shoes. Bottles. Rubbish. Keys,' he said, adding that the child had thrown a ball so hard that it came smashing into their side light.

'I was pretty d*** close to sending the ball back over with a knife stuck in it,' the man wrote.

View attachment 27163

An annoyed neighbour left a polite but firm note for the parents of the kid who kept throwing stuff over the fence. Image source: Twitter/javelinface.

He added that while he empathised with the parents as the child was recently diagnosed with ADHD, he’s also familiar with the condition.

‘I was extremely ADHD as a child, and still knew boundaries,’ he said. ‘By being ADHD myself, I am empathising less.’

It is unclear if this was a self-diagnosis on his part.

Rather than seek revenge, he sent his neighbour a polite but firm note explaining that the ball had broken their side light and warned that if it happened again, he wouldn't be returning the child's items.

His decision to act calmly and maturely was widely praised online, with many people commending him on his level-headed response to the annoying situation.

One user wrote, 'This is a much nicer note than I would have left, that’s for sure. They also wouldn’t be getting any of their stuff back.'

Another added, 'Our neighbours' kids have damaged our fence twice kicking their footballs. They are old enough to know better (10+years) yet they continue to climb over our fence to their balls when we’re not there.'

A third said, 'Totally sympathise. Our neighbours' kid constantly kicks his ball, sometimes two or three in our garden every day. We chuck it back and it’s over again 10 minutes later. The dad’s an a**e so there’s no getting through to them. The knife is a tempting solution.'

We all know that Australia is a great place to grow up, with lots of open spaces and plenty of recreational activities for children to enjoy. Unfortunately, this great environment lends itself to a little too much fun at times, particularly when it comes to certain kids pestering their neighbours.

We only hope his young neighbour caught on to his hint and refrained from sending toys flying over the fence!

Understanding ADHD in Children

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), with a deeper understanding, can be seen as a livewire that kids deal with every day. It's known to affect their impulse control, concentration abilities, and social interactions–often leaving them vulnerable and misunderstood. However, it's not the kids' mission to drive us up the wall–it's something they grapple with on a regular basis.

ADHD is primarily due to reduced volume of certain brain structures, with a particular emphasis on the frontal lobe. This part of the brain is associated with executive functions like decision-making or impulse control.

It’s important to remember that it’s more complicated when dealing with ADHD. Kids aren’t behaving this way by choice, and reactions like impulsive ball-throwing are often beyond their conscious control. Alongside parental guidance and behavioural therapy, medical intervention is sometimes necessary to help the brain better manage impulse control.

Children with ADHD may not fully comprehend the boundaries they cross until the problem reaches an apex–like smashing a neighbour’s light. The kids are not just being naughty; they need support and understanding from adults around them. They may also be the ones more frustrated than anyone else.

It might be more productive–and less destructive–to consider their unique circumstances, approach their parents politely, and recommend seeking professional help. After all, we were all kids once, right? But imagine if we had ADHD on top of just plain old mischief.

Let's exercise a bit more patience and empathy towards others! And always remember that a calm and polite approach is generally the best, particularly with kids.

Have you ever had an issue with a neighbour's kids behaving badly? What did you do, and what was the outcome? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!

Still no excuse for throwing a ball at a light intentional or not. There are other ways to dispel excess energy than causing trouble - go ride a bike (in a safe place), jump on a trampoline, play a sport. Too many parents let their kids run free to wreak havoc and blame it on medical issues or that they are kids - reign in the behaviour and get the kids to channel it constructively and quietly.

 

[Cyberchook]

I have a different slant on balls (not other things) being accidentally tossed due to a too-close basketball net next door where the young lads inevitably missed a few hoops tosses and their balls land on our side. I see no reasons not to toss them back over, but my daughter is like most now told them to put up a barrier or will not throw them back. I counted 6 balls at one time, two were old and rotting under normal hedge foliage. I was shocked as she had a ball-mad son herself. OK, he never lobbed next door due to the locations. But today folks are less tolerant of balls that take no time to lob back over the fence. Most kids are not purposely throwing their balls over any fence. The other items yes!!

 

[Trudi]

Oh wow! A child threw a ball and broke a LIGHT BULB! The poor neighbour, it will bankrupt him/her having to replace it.

When I was a child, we were noisy, we spent every spare minute outside and yes, some of the neighbours were grumpy old sods, but we just laughed at them. We were KIDS! We had FUN! We didn't do any HARM! We were ACTIVE!

I know there are children where I live, but I never hear any laughter and the playground about 50 meters from my home, is never used! How sad! Occasionally I can hear kids during their lunch break at the nearby primary school, but I nothing like the noise I would expect from happy kids having fun. I believe that even during their breaks, school kids are told to be quiet these days.

 

[Annie]

Having done playground duty for over 35 years I have observed a lot and learned a lot about how children play with balls. Young boys tend to see any kind of barrier like a roof or a fence as some kind of goal post, something to get over. They don’t think about how to retrieve a ball until it becomes a need. Girls see a bigger picture and don’t want to lose their ball so they tend not to push the boundaries. So the problem with balls over the fence will never be solved, I fear, until boys learn to see the bigger picture. One idea perhaps, is to set kids a task like having to put their neighbour’s bins out before they get their toys back or clean up their own yard or the neighbour’s yard to get the ball back. That might help modify their behaviour.

 

[MariaG]

I have suffered different problems.
All the kids living around me seem polite and not too unruly.
The only time we have suffered major issues is with adults living around us. We suffered the neighbour from hell. When he decided something didn't suit him, he used his obnoxious personality to make life as difficult as possible for us. Because we started to move our boxes in to our home before the driveway was finished, he climed a ladder, took photos of us, and reported to council and police that squatters had moved in. That was the first of many instances of his campaign. It got so bad, we ended up having to obtain a no contact order against him and his wife. They then sold upand moved away after 2 miserable years.
Give me a lost ball any time.

 

[Thecheesequeen]

Our children’s balls sometimes went over the fence to next door, and I always made sure they knocked on the door to ask for them. Sometimes our neighbour, Veronica, was out and they had to wait until she came home. Often she would just throw the balls back when she noticed them. One day my youngest son became agitated when our cat jumped over the fence and disappeared. I told him not to worry, and he asked, “Will Veronica throw him back?”

 

[mylittletibbies]

Can anyone tell me why we never heard of children with so called ADHD when we were kids. Handy excuse for spoilt, badly behaved brats.IMO.I know I won't be popular for saying this but it has been well reported that many of these children have been misdiagnosed.
Everybody who has been to court these days has mental health issues,.domestic violence - oh he couldn't help it he has mental health issues. He was on drugs, alcohol, etc and has mental health issues.
The rest of us will end up with mental health issues just having to put up with all the crap going on in the world today.
Children aren't taught respect, because their parents don't have any.
They go to schools abuse teachers, abuse umpires at children's sports games, if you say something to their little snowflake darlings they'll have a go at you.
Where will it all end.

 

[Kaylee]

I 1don't have a problem with kids but adults. They kick their football or cricket ball over the fence then come over and trample my plants looking for it. Absolutely no respect. Also throw their rubbish over as well.

 

[Bridgit]

Our neighbour's kids I find are really good.
It is their dogs that are annoying. I have three neighbours all with dogs.
They bark all day and night. I cannot go into my backyard without them barking their heads off.
If people want pets, train them to only bark when necessary.

Not hard to do - our dog ( passed now bless her) would give 2 woofs to let you know someone was coming. She knew that barking like her neighbors triggered a voice tone she didn't like very much.

 

[KayPlay]

Most of us swear to ourselves now and again to remain calm and composed when somebody or something provokes our anger. But if we get angry enough, we all know how taking the high road just doesn’t cut it. This is exactly why we have to admire one Australian man's patience and level-headedness after a neighbour's child pushed him to the brink with their misbehaviour.

View attachment 27162

A neighbour’s child tested an Australian man’s patience and level-headedness. Image source: Ollie Craig from pexels.

Social media user @javelinface recently shared the note he sent to his neighbours after their kid's annoying antics.

'Neighbour's kids keep throwing stuff over the fence. Balls. Toy cars. Shoes. Bottles. Rubbish. Keys,' he said, adding that the child had thrown a ball so hard that it came smashing into their side light.

'I was pretty d*** close to sending the ball back over with a knife stuck in it,' the man wrote.

View attachment 27163

An annoyed neighbour left a polite but firm note for the parents of the kid who kept throwing stuff over the fence. Image source: Twitter/javelinface.

He added that while he empathised with the parents as the child was recently diagnosed with ADHD, he’s also familiar with the condition.

‘I was extremely ADHD as a child, and still knew boundaries,’ he said. ‘By being ADHD myself, I am empathising less.’

It is unclear if this was a self-diagnosis on his part.

Rather than seek revenge, he sent his neighbour a polite but firm note explaining that the ball had broken their side light and warned that if it happened again, he wouldn't be returning the child's items.

His decision to act calmly and maturely was widely praised online, with many people commending him on his level-headed response to the annoying situation.

One user wrote, 'This is a much nicer note than I would have left, that’s for sure. They also wouldn’t be getting any of their stuff back.'

Another added, 'Our neighbours' kids have damaged our fence twice kicking their footballs. They are old enough to know better (10+years) yet they continue to climb over our fence to their balls when we’re not there.'

A third said, 'Totally sympathise. Our neighbours' kid constantly kicks his ball, sometimes two or three in our garden every day. We chuck it back and it’s over again 10 minutes later. The dad’s an a**e so there’s no getting through to them. The knife is a tempting solution.'

We all know that Australia is a great place to grow up, with lots of open spaces and plenty of recreational activities for children to enjoy. Unfortunately, this great environment lends itself to a little too much fun at times, particularly when it comes to certain kids pestering their neighbours.

We only hope his young neighbour caught on to his hint and refrained from sending toys flying over the fence!

Understanding ADHD in Children

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), with a deeper understanding, can be seen as a livewire that kids deal with every day. It's known to affect their impulse control, concentration abilities, and social interactions–often leaving them vulnerable and misunderstood. However, it's not the kids' mission to drive us up the wall–it's something they grapple with on a regular basis.

ADHD is primarily due to reduced volume of certain brain structures, with a particular emphasis on the frontal lobe. This part of the brain is associated with executive functions like decision-making or impulse control.

It’s important to remember that it’s more complicated when dealing with ADHD. Kids aren’t behaving this way by choice, and reactions like impulsive ball-throwing are often beyond their conscious control. Alongside parental guidance and behavioural therapy, medical intervention is sometimes necessary to help the brain better manage impulse control.

Children with ADHD may not fully comprehend the boundaries they cross until the problem reaches an apex–like smashing a neighbour’s light. The kids are not just being naughty; they need support and understanding from adults around them. They may also be the ones more frustrated than anyone else.

It might be more productive–and less destructive–to consider their unique circumstances, approach their parents politely, and recommend seeking professional help. After all, we were all kids once, right? But imagine if we had ADHD on top of just plain old mischief.

Let's exercise a bit more patience and empathy towards others! And always remember that a calm and polite approach is generally the best, particularly with kids.

Have you ever had an issue with a neighbour's kids behaving badly? What did you do, and what was the outcome? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!

Patience can only go so far and I believe kids like the one mentioned, Sometimes thinks Nothing will be said but if they are Not spoken to about doing the wrong thing It won't STOP.....Also Parents can be Worse than their Children, letting them Do Whatever I really believe the letter in question Was Very Polite indeed. We experienced the same type of thing from a child Across the Road! Ons day he was with his Father and my husband asked the boy about the items he kept throwing over our fence, the boy of course denied any knowledge of this, however during his deniel he tripped himself up After much discussion with Dad & Son Problem Solved.
Do sit back have your say Because some of these Children Can Be Quite Dangerous