If the stuffed animal meant anything it wouldn’t have been out for a week. They would have been looking for it before then. The only responsibility that is yours in this is keeping your yard clean, which you’ve done. 
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I agree with u but I would tell the parents instead of the kids.
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Fill a trash bag and sit on their porch. Put a note like some of the crap in this bag is your kids when your done kindly pass it to ur neighbors porch.
Get a bin and have your kids pick up all that’s left over from the day of play. Like a lost and found, they can come claim what belongs to them or the parents can
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Well if you keep throwing your kids friends belongings away you won’t have to be worried about your house being the place all the kids want to come too. 
grab a box, put the stuff in it and remind the kids to check it from time to time .
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Kinda why don’t u just tell them before they leave that front door “before you go can you make sure you got your belongings, and can you please help clean up the yard” they are kids just remind them before they leave and if they don’t clean up or take their things then just simply don’t allow them to come over and play anymore 
but don’t throw their things away 
u should have just spoke with the parents and explained I’m sure they would have told their children also “hey make sure u bring your stuff back”
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My yard is usually the back yard for kids too, I just have my kids set their friends belonging on their porch/yard Or before everyone leaves, I’ll have EVERYONE pick up.
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Get a bin like lost and found. Not that hard or ask parents for their numbers and let them know when items are left so the parents have a option to come grab them. Kids arent always the best at remembering things. Id be livid if a neighbor threw my kids stuff away and probably wouldnt let them go back and play there. Sorta comes with your yard being the play spot if you dont like it let them know its no longer an option of all of them to play in.
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So you expected a child to handle adult things? Why didn’t you speak to the parents instead?
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You don’t have a problem however the other mothers do they are responsible for their children their belongings and their behavior while at your house don’t let them quilt you out send their children home when they do not follow your rules.
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I’m in the same situation as you. I will ask my children who’s its this etc and I do ask said child and remind them to take their items home and that their parents spend money on said item but if it continues I becomes mine to do as I wish. I’ve haven’t had a parent complain yet but I did have a mom tell her own child that’s what happens when you’re not responsible. (These children I’m talking about are 11 and up).
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I feel ya! I have the only trampoline, and lots of outside toys. I find socks, shoes, candy wrappers, half eaten fruit, water bottles popcicle sticks and wrappers to name a few. Plus they play with the riding toys and leave them strowed all over the parking lot/ drive way. Behind cars that are parked. I remind them when I see them come over, to pic up the toys etc and put them back in the you pen. They don’t.
Then my husband and I have to do it. We live in an apartment complex so it’s not like I can lock a gate.
I haven’t thrown anything away but the trash. If be happy if they just threw did that and put toys back.
I have after weeks of them not being picked up, thrown away socks.
I think it is mean spirited. Get a little tote with a lid and put the items in there. They are just kids. You may not know the kids situations. For example my son is autistic and his working memory index is at 9% (this is how he recalls things). You could tell something and within 5 minutes he can’t remember.
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Maybe a bin for all the left items for children and parents to go to to retrieve items? And once a month throw everything out?
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Gather the stuff up, the next time any of the kids are there have them take their belongings. You are providing a good environment for these kids to play and socialize with your kids, which they need to be healthy physically and mentally. Don’t ruin that for the children as frustrating as it may be for you. My house was the safe house for many kids and now they’re adults and still thank me and tell me how much they appreciate it. Don’t make enemies with the parents because any of those kids may need you more than you realize.
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It’s not your job to take care of their things. I would however get one of those nice totes and put at your door in case they leave things. They should pick up behind themselves. They probably take off when they realize they should have been home and just forget their things. On the plus side they will remember your house being the neighborhood place to go and have Gond memories. Some kids these days aren’t like we were. They don’t take care of their things like we had to. I would ask these mad parents to talk to their children about always cleaning up behind themselves and see how it goes. If there is a certain time that they have to leave each time remind them about 10 minutes before time to clean it up and take their things with them. I hope whatever you and the parents come up with works. Again, your home will be remembered many years to come and what you fed them also. I say this because my Mama’s home was the place to go to back in the day. Children behaved and took care of their things then. Good luck 
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Wow remember there kidsjust put a plastic container out for the kids stuff. Come on be happy be the mom that takes care of the neighborhood kids and br thankful Geez
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When my boys were younger we had this issue. We did like you we told our boys that their friends need to clean up their mess when they didn’t we then told the kids and the next time we told them they could not play until we spoke to their parents. A few days later a couple of the parents came over and asked what was going on and I just told them nicely that I have asked their kids to pick up their mess in my yard and they have not. I told him I don’t mind them playing but they need to clean up their mess. After that we had no problem.
Have you tried speaking to these kids parents before you throw non trash stuff away? It may not work but just a suggestion.
I wouldn’t of thrown the stuff away. I would of talked to the kids parents about their child leaving stuff in my yard. I would of picked everything up and put it in a box or bin. The kids in my neighborhood are always playing in our yard and forget things. I have all the phone numbers for the neighborhood kids parents and contact them if there is something left here. I would be upset if my neighbors just threw away something that my kids left in their yard or house without contacting me first.
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I will be pissed to if they leave a huge mess in my yard after they play .
- You can put a trash can for the garbage and a plastic box when you can put the toys left there .
- Stop allowing them to play in your yard
Yes because instead of telling the children you should’ve went to the parents. Kids are irresponsible like come on and don’t try saying your kids aren’t cause every single kid is irresponsible in one way or another and that’s how they learn. You shouldn’t of thrown their stuff away you could’ve just picked it up and put it in a box or tote instead. Hopefully the parents don’t allow their kids to come to your place anymore
Feel this! I do the same thing. If it seems like an important item I’ll ask around (kid’s glasses etc.) 99% of the time it’s literal trash & nonsense. I toss it all.
I would have made sure every parent of every child in my yard understood the rule before tossing stuff. Once there warned, it’s on them.
I have this same issue. It all falls back on the parents.
Nope not at all. They’ve been told, they’ve been reminded multiple times. I’ve got the same thing going on at my house. From 8years old to 16 years old my kids and their friends, each kid was reminded and returned their items once, and told don’t leave your stuff here, the yard gets picked up every night, if it’s left it’s trash. And if they leave food and drink wrappers around they don’t get to eat or drink in my yard either. Obviously if it’s like a hoodie or phone or something valuable it gets returned but I’m not going to wash your clothes you left in the mud, I’m not going to charge or clean your phone you left on the picnic table. And I would expect my kids to remember their stuff if they take it elsewhere, or it’ll be gone forever.
“Kids are irresponsible” yeah, so we aren’t supposed to teach them to BE responsible? Absurd.
Let them buy the stuff back from you.
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I would day it to both, but we teach our kids I hope( to clean up after yourself and be respectful) that would include picking up trash and thier own stuff. I wouldn’t hold it against you I would tell my kid sounds like something I would also do. Keep it for a day or so and then out. Your yard isn’t a dumping ground. I would be frustrated. Or I guess maybe I would have a passively made a sign or something ( like come claim your stuff, when in doubt throw it out) lol 
. Start charging kids 25 -1 $ for snacks that’s what my friend did. The neighborhood kids would come buy ice cream and snacks from her. She would use the money to buy more snacks for the neighborhood to buy.
I’ll get a tote and leave on curb
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As parent, if you’re letting your kid take valuable things elsewhere, you should also be making sure YOUR CHILD I’d responsible enough to keep track of that item.
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Throw it all out, and don’t think twice about it. The parents of these gremlins should be responsible for picking it up. You leave it, you lose it… It should teach the kids and their parents to clean up after themselves.
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An angry parent mad about socks and a stuffed animal is just a angry person in general. The anger is misplaced here and a good parent would tell their child, well that’s what happens when you leave your stuff laying around and you were told to take it home and you didn’t so that’s your fault. Your yard is not the city dump and the parent should be appreciative that you allow all the kids to play there so they know where their kids are too. If it were a city park it would be thrown out for sure. Maybe make a cute little flyer for the kids to hand out saying things left in the yard will be tossed or a little sign in the yard to remind them….just a idea. As far as the angry parent…. I’d say well, if you’re not going to come and clean up my yard every night after the kids go home then either remind your child to pick up their stuff or keep them home…simply as that. 
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Nope your not wrong I did the same thing!!!
I love kids playing in my yard 
before everyone heads home,i tell the children to pick up there belongings & take them home. & the kids did it
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Talk to all the kids and let parents know as well.
My son had to put a fence up
Get a little bucket to put it all in. Leave things in there for a few days, or a week. It takes just as much effort and they have a place they can come back to and know their stuff is safe. A pretty reassuring thought as a kid. 
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Well, I think it’s pretty simple. Before they leave your yard, you tell them all to clean up or they won’t be returning to that yard.
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If they kept trashing it and you personally said something, they could find another yard to play in. The reason they like your yard, more than likely, is because they feel it’s a safe place.
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Do you throw your kids stuff out when they leave it in the yard but it’s supposed to be put away? Probably not.
I get it some of the frustration but you invited kids over and now expect them to be consistently responsible adults. Find a bin, throw it in said bin, remind them to take it home at the end of the day.
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Maybe 30 minutes before the playtime ends go out & remind all the kids to all pick up the yard together and pick up all their own toys to take home.You are not a jerk for wanting your yard clean & it sounds like you care about the kids if you are feeding all of them.It would be hard for me to throw a child’s toy away I recommend a toy box of some kind in the garage for lost & found & also speak with the parents
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Maybe 30 minutes before the playtime ends go out & remind all the kids to all pick up the yard together and pick up all their own toys to take home.You are not a jerk for wanting your yard clean & it sounds like you care about the kids if you are feeding all of them.It would be hard for me to throw a child’s toy away I recommend a toy box of some kind in the garage for lost & found & also speak with the parents
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Put up a sign that says “Any toys left here by the end of the day will be donated to goodwill”.
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Enjoy it while it lasts. At least you know where your children are. Kids will never remember to pick up or take all their stuff. Gently remind them everyday. You are helping them to have good memories that will last a lifetime and your own children too. Trust me when I say sooner than you think you will be remembering this time as one of the best of your lifetime. God love and bless you dear.
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Have a plastic storage container to put it in and let the child know they have to do a chore, such as picking up the trash in the yard to get their item back. Children need to be taught, not just told. After a time or two they’ll stop forgetting their stuff.
Make sure there’s a bin in the yard for their wrappers and remind them at going home time to lift their belongings. Personally I wouldnt bin their stuff but would throw it in a toy box outside then when they come round tell them either thats where the stuff goes, they take it home or at least tidy their mess if they want to come back round .
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Throw that shit in the trash!!! Especially if it sat for a week. We have a rule at my house. If you leave it on the floor, in the yard I am not responsible for your stuff. It’s goin in the trash!!!
I’d leave it there until the next day and when they show up go out there and have a little game called Clean Up… Before they play.
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Make a spot for them to put things and tell them to get their things or it goes in the trash
Your not wrong but I would probably have a lost and found bin and tell parents to check it before Friday or Friday afternoon everything in there goes to the trash or up for grabs by anyone one that wants it.
Make a one week left bag and let everyone know that get your things out of the bag, pile, whatever or it’s going to the local charity store, every week . Hand your child to take the trash can around the yard with everyone at the end of play time. Start early to get them to handle their stuff
Get a bin and throw everything inside it. Lost and found outside.
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Hell no stand your ground they will live you no matter what you let them be kids
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I think you were pretty fair about it. You gave them a chance and reminded them. I’d throw it away too after that.
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Your totally right if they don’t want something left in a yard they need to tell their kid not to take it. If my kids loose a toy they took with them out somewhere I tell them oh well I told you leave it a home or the car because it could get lost and I warm them before they leave the house this could happen. It’s not your responsibility to keep track of someone else’s kids belongings especially if they’re not being respectful of your yard and trashing it. I would also tell the parents how their kids treat your yard, take pictures of how they trash it and when one comes an complains show them how they treat your property then tell them your childs things don’t belong trashed in my yard and if you have a problem with it tell your kids to bring their stuff home because it’s my yard and I don’t want it trashed.
Teach your son(s) responsibility and have them pick it up and put in a lost/found container. But for sure make you kids responsible for it.
I’d put stuff in a bin and leave it for maybe a week and set it in another neighbors yard that belongs to one of the other kids or just throw it out after 2 weeks I wouldn’t be tracking down what belongs to who, if they wanted it bad enough they would take the item back home
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Reminds me of my chikdhood neighbour, who would keep our balls when they went over his fence, his name was ‘Mr Grumpy’.
I wouldn’t like that or do that. I would put a box aside. Let the parents and kids know that anything left there will go in the box. If I was going to go through stuff and throw it out I would tell the parents ahead of time to give them the opportunity to come and claim their stuff. A sock isn’t a big deal but what if the stuffed animal was a lovey? My son doesn’t remember where he leaves anything and would be upset if it just got thrown out as would I. If you give me a heads up at least I could come look to see if it’s there… but in all honesty it’s your home so your rules
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I would, before they all went home, go make them all clean up. I would also make a list n found box and call it good
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You are not in the wrong. You are not obligated to have a trashy yard. You are not obligated to keep track of other people’s things. It would be a completely different story if it was 1 item and you tossed it out 20 minutes after they left. You’ve given the kids the rules of playing in your yard. That should have been sufficient. Not only did you give them the rule, you told your kids to remind them and you even told the kids. That’s 3 chances. This is where they learn personal accountability. If a parent gets mad at you for tossing something out; remind the parent of your yard rules and if they have a problem with your yard rules, they can come clean up after their kid when they leave.
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I get it that the kids leave their stuff in your yard. However, the fact that all the kids play at your house is awesome. It means they feel comfortable there. They have fun and would rather be at your house. When I was growing up, my house was the house where all the wayward kids would go. I would have people stay at my house instead of their own houses. Of course, we were in high school. They all called my mom their mom. My gay friends who were not accepted at home could stay at my house. My friend with the alcoholic mom who was always passed out was at my house more than his. Try not to pay so much attention to the stuff. This means a lot more than you may ever know. You are valued more than you know.
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In this situation I would talk to the mom. I wouldn’t be mean I’d just ask her to remind them to pick up their trash & toys. If they forget I’d give mom a call &, ask her to send them back to clean up. If you just throw things away they’ll use your yard as a landfill. Anything they don’t want will land there. Why throw things away if you will? There’s no consequence. They’ll remember to take what’s important.
Get a tote to throw it all in and once a week have them all go thru it. Whatever is left throw out
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Don’t toss it. That’s mean.
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I’m sorry but that’s just horrible! Kids forget! I would be pissed if someone throughout my kid stuff without contacting me first.
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I never throw them in the bin unless its rubbish o r scribble they did on paper i keep all kids clothes in a basket 
incase they come back same with there belongings, after they go i clean, maby dont let them come over as often just let them come over when u have the energy to clean up after them qhich could b once a month or even once every 2 months, coz after awhile it does get tiring cleaning up after them all the time, thats what i had to do limit when they came, but our behind neighbours is a different story we constantly use to get rubbish/dog can thrown over an balls an rocks and after i told them to stop throwing stuff over the fence they didnt stop so i just leave it there unless they ask for it back or if it looks old it goes in the bin
I always tell my son: either have your friends clean up before they leave OR it’s his responsibility to clean it up because they are his guest.
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Oh well, you warned them.
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Take the stuff that isn’t actual garbage, put it in a box and take anything in there to goodwill or something at the end of every month. 
They’re kids. Don’t throw away their things
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You did good I would have done the same thing.
Maybe just get some type of crate or tote and if they have left behind just put in there kind of like a lost and found
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I would personally get like a basket or something and collect it all in one place I wouldn’t throw it out how would you feel if someone threw your kids stuff away js
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You are wrong. Wait until someone throws out your kid’s retainer.
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If you are allowing kids to bring things over and play then yes you are responsible to make sure the kids take their things home. You could hand them to the kids as they are leaving. I mean it’s just being an adult. If you left something at someone’s house
And it takes you a couple days to get to it would you expect them to throw it away or give it to you?
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U should have told the parents. Don’t throw kids toys away…
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Tell that parent her kid isn’t welcome if they aren’t even mature enough to take care of their 
! If they are younger kids, parents should be checking on them often AND making sure they have manners and respect at other peoples houses. I didn’t like 99% of the kids in our neighborhood so my only child was SOL! But my neighbors are junkies and weirdos who should not even have kids! If I don’t know the parents, they aren’t coming over.
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I’d like to know the ages of the kids. How I would handle this depends on their age. 5-6 yr olds are different then 10-12 yrs olds. I agree with having a bin and leaving the forgotten toys in the bin for a week or so. If the role was reversed how would you feel if your daughter’s favorite teddy was thrown away?? How many times do our children forget where they left their things and don’t remember until a day later. Or their shoes. I have a stock pile of 1 shoes with the match missing lol. Things are expensive, we work hard for the things we buy our children. Maybe talking to the kids parents would of been a better idea before you just started throwing them away. Then also parents can know not to let their kids brings toys, expensive and favorites, to your yard, or at all.
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Lost and found box, you are picking it up anyway, just put it in a box, let them all know where the box is. My house was that house, you are providing a safe atmosphere, and that is great but you still have to remember they Are children, they get playing and they forget.
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Lmao. She can be mad. Why wasnt she mad when she couldnt find those socks? She wasnt. Had no idea actually. Until now. Lol
I’m on the fence here because you definitely gave them plenty of chances to clean up and take their stuff. I also like the tote idea. I’m just feel like the parents shouldn’t be mad especially since you told the kids to take it home on multiple occasions. Maybe explain to the parent that you told their child multiple times to take it home and they didn’t listen or care to. I wouldn’t be so mad if I found out you let my kid know to take it and they just didnt. I love that you kwt them all come over and play at your house also. I would definitely try the tote idea and let the parents know hay there’s a lost and found tote at this location if it’s not empty at the end of every month/week however you wanna do it it’s gonna be trashed. That way they have an opportunity to get the stuff but it’s not just sitting in your yard.
Then your house should not be the neighborhood house everyone hangs outs at. I get trash etc being thrown away bcuz it’s trash. but shoes? Socks? Toys? Like seriously? Smh, I use to be the mom who had kids always at my house hanging out with my kids etc. Kids forget shit. I use to have a lost and found box cuz throwing someone else’s hard earned money away ddnt sit right with me especially since it wasn’t just like someone I didn’t know left stuff in my yard it was stuff kids who I allowed to be at my home. I think ur wrong for doing what your doing and I think ur attitude about it makes it worse. You shouldn’t be the “neighborhood house” for the kids to hang out and play at if u are going to act like that. js imo
I understand your frustration, I wouldn’t be happy either but I really like the idea of a lost and found box…. Maybe try that?
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When my cluster was younger, our yard was the yard too. I was always finding left over items from the kids. I placed a laundry basket kinda by the road & all forgotten items went there. Parents could see what was left when they were driving by. On trash night it gets dumped. I made this rule clear & rarely had more than a couple socks to toss.
Kids don’t listen all the time so I’d suggest finding a container to put all their things. The parents aren’t at fault for them leaving stuff over there. It’s the kids responsibility but kids don’t always listen.
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Lost and found box. I would never throw the kids things away. I have teens. They leave clothes behind all the time. I simply was them and out them in a tote.
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I would start a lost and found basket on porch or in garage … when they come the next day go out and get their attention and tell them all to look in basket and take their stuff home and then they can come back and play
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Maybe get like a box or something & put the stuff in it instead of throwing it away.
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I mean it might teach them not to do it again if they dont want their stuff thrown out but also I’d maybe create a little “lost and found” bin and if nobody claims it and takes it home by the end of the week then give it to good will or toss it out then. But ya they’re kids, I’d come up with some kind of alternative
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When our kids were little I used to give all the kids a bag & a crayon ( different colors) to put their names on the bag. ( if they were to young to write their name they colored the bag and put the crayon on the bag. It took them a while but after a week or so they knew their crap goes in the bag, and the stuff goes home with them at the end of the day or in the trash. I also called Each parent and asked that they remind them.
Why couldn’t you create like a lost and found tub or something. I know it’s hard but if they are young this is common lol
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If its a neighbor’s child just push the items off your property then they can be irresponsible with their belongings and its not in your yard. Throwing away other people’s kids stuffies would be a hard no for me. Not cool.
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Get a huge bucket/bind throw them in there or talk to their parents
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Put a bucket out for lost and found, out where people can see it. Problem solved.
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Yes you are in the wrong… Talk to the parents. Put a box or a plastic bin outside…what if it were another parent and your kid left their things at that parents house. What would want that parent to do? 
I would get a box or crate like others suggested and have a pow wow with the kids and tell them about it. I get not wanting a trashy yard but when my son has friends over I always make it clear they all clean before they leave. And if they want to continue to come back they will listen. I’ve even said that to them before when they are doing things that I don’t allow. Most of the kids are respectful and my son knows to hold his friends accountable and he’s only 5. Otherwise he knows it’s on him to clean up after his friends and he doesn’t want to do that lol. As the parent I feel it’s on me to make it clear each time what the rules are. Kids are kids and will forget and push the limits it’s on me to reinforce them and remind them. I also think if this happened more than twice then a more stern pow wow with the kids would be needed and a talk with there parents. The kids need to learn responsibility but they are also just kids and clearly feel safe at your home. I would take comfort in that more than anything.
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Yes you are wrong! Kids forget things all the time! I guarantee your kids forget things too. Kids are easily distracted. If you enjoy being the house that everyone comes too, simply pick up the phone and let the other parents know their kid forgot something in your yard. If you don’t know who it belongs to have a designated box on the porch or next to the garage and throw the stuff in there.
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Wrong!!! I cannot say any more because it would be too Nasty.
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Yeah well I’m not sure what the 540 other messages say but yes, you’re wrong. It goes with the territory and they are KIDS. Have YOUR kids start gathering the stuff they leave behind and put in a big bin in your yard every day. Trust me your kids will get tired of picking up their friends things and will remind them to take their stuff.
You are the “ go to” yard. Enjoy that.It won’t last, kids grow up and move on. I’d be really angry if you threw away my kids stuff.
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They are CHILDREN. Throwing away a stuffed animal is not okay. I’d be pissed too. Not about the socks. KIDS forget. You as an adult should be more understanding. How sad
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