And lo, the screaming in gardens has started

[Lludmilla]

Kids have been off school 1.5 days. That didn't take long, did it??

(And yes, I know this is a polarising topic on here, but today I'm really struggling to wfh due to constant screaming from kids playing in gardens. And no, I don't mean shouting or laughing or giggling, none of which I'd have a problem with... I mean full-on, top-of-the-lungs screaming.)

I get that we have to make allowances/keep things in proportion etc etc at a time like this, I really do. I also get that it's nice that we at least have some sunshine during all this, and I think it's great that kids can play in their gardens. But the SCREAMING. It's like this every single year in my street as soon as the sun dares to show its face, it gets to me and makes it hard to concentrate on work, and sometimes I need to vent even though I know I'm likely to get a pasting for it.

Surely it can't just be me?

[AnneLovesGilbert]

Ear plugs?

[NuffSaidSam]

Could you ask them to stop?

[Queenoftheashes]

Yeah children are incredibly irritating. I’d scream back at them to shut up.

[NuffSaidSam]

We have lots of kids around, but none are screamers thankfully. Or at least they don't scream regularly, the occasional scream is to be expected I think.

[whatswithtodaytoday]

My one year old is screaming right next to me in the same room while I'm trying to work. I'd much rather he was in the garden.

[Mintjulia]

Move to a room that looks over the back of the house? Wear headphones and play calming music? Keep the windows shut?

My DS talks to himself while he does his schoolwork and it's hard to ignore, but I'll have to get used to it

[ohtheholidays]

Bloody annoying for you,could you wear headphones with some low music on?I don't know if you'd be able to concentrate on work doing that or not but it might be worth a try.

[TitusP]

I can’t get annoyed about children playing in the garden, they need to let off some steam somewhere. I say this as someone who doesn’t have children currently.

[MinnieMountain]

Have you tried telling them not to? Sounds obvious but I didn't realise unto our neighbour mentioned it. Although we've had a chat today and she sounds more tolerant than you

[CheeseAndOnionIceCream]

Ear plugs? Why should you have to wear ear plugs and shut yourself off from everything just because they can't stop screaming? As for 'asking them to stop',in my experience,that will just elicit a tirade of abuse from the parents.

[Ruddle91]

Noise cancelling headphones. Screaming kids suck - not just playing noise the shrieking sucks. I have a toddler, I'm not a kid hating grinch - but shrieking is horrific.

[DorotheaHomeAlone]

They’re kids. Whose lives have been upended. And are stuck in their homes indefinitely. So yes, I think on this occasion you’re being pretty intolerant.

[nearlynermal]

Yeah, I have the neighbour kids screaming now, and betting in a couple of hours Dad, who has anger control issues, will throw a tantrum.

[MaMisled]

Am I alone in feeling joy when I hear children's laughter? I work nights and sleep a lot of the day but the squealing and giggling ringing all around my estate currently, makes me genuinely happy.

[Alexkate2468]

Honestly, I couldn’t care less if they screamed all day long. They are home where they’re supposed to be and they’re safe which helps to keep you safe.
Kids have so much more energy and they burn it off they way kids do. Their whole normality has been pulled from under them and reset literally over night and they don’t have the ability to process it and deal with it the way adults do.
I hate how adults expect kids to adapt to meet their wishes. Give them a break and let them be kids.

[DoubleAction]

Kids from more than one household in the same garden?

I was just saying to DH that at least the neighbours wont be having noisy BBQs for a while

[Sparrowlegs248]

Ugh I hate the screamers. I say that as the parent of a 3 and 4 yr old. But I really really don't let them "play scream". The 3 yr old is prone to histrionics though..

[melissasummerfield]

Other peoples kids get on my nerves too but under the circumstances you are definitely BU

[Sparrowlegs248]

@MaMisled absolutely not, it's not the laughter and squealing, it's the constant screaming at the tops of their lungs, like someone is being murdered.

[DonnaDarko]

I feel bad for the kids, being stuck at home indefinitely, not able to see friends or socialise.

Let them scream. Put some music on or get some earplugs

[willowpatterns]

Children do not have to scream like banshees for hours in order to have fun. Children have no right to irritate the shit out of the entire neighbourhood just because they are bored. Playing outside yes, making a bit of a noise and laughing, yes. Persistent screaming at the top of their voices? No.

[TheReluctantCountess]

Join in.

[MrMeSeeks]

Although we've had a chat today and she sounds more tolerant than you
Oh yes how intolerant to find it hard to work because of screaming
Yanbu. Giggling, laughing is great, shreeching and screaming no. I was always warned if i did it would be took in the house as my neighbours did not want to he my screaming.

[MrMeSeeks]

*i would be

[vhs95]

My daughter was a screamer and was brought in from the garden and sent to her room when she did it. Some girls seem to shriek a lot - it would get me down if they were next door. You have my sympathy. You can get some good long-range water shooters off amazon...