Omg my neighbour has really upset me is this ok?

I grew up on an estate. We all played out everywhere aside from near the miserable scary old peoples houses who’d shout at us.

Who shouts at primary-aged children you don't know playing loudly when you could just close your windows?

When we lived in a terrace the kids would scoot up and down but the length of the street not just outside one house

Course I have but we weren’t allowed to play outside other peoples houses -I live in an estate now and the kids don’t just play in the street randomly they play in their gardens or go to the park.

She’s absolutely ridiculous. I get why you didn’t say anything sometimes peoples twatish behaviour leaves you speechless. If she says anything to you again try to stand up to her.

2.50pm tomorrow sounds great for a play date, invite some pals

You’ve never lived on an estate or terraced street then.

I would have such fun with this. Take recorders next time and teach them to play "London's Burning". Then kazoos with any song you fancy eg "Baby Shark". Maybe your DC fancy learning a trumpet or the bagpipes. I'd take them to practice outside her house.

Who takes their kids to play outside someone else’s house - if you’re scooting about on your way to somewhere totally not a problem but if you’ve gone out of your way take the kids to play there and don’t live there why would you think that’s ok

We've recently moved due to neighbours like this so you have my sympathy- we don't have children at home but I saw her tear into parents on many occasions and her husband caught me unawares with unreasonable complaints. She's let you know who she is so be ready to put her into her place. My ex neighbours had form and even their own adult daughter had cut ties. They are unhappy people. So glad we escaped!

I get that you feel like you should have stood up for yourself but I think it could have gone far worse if you had done so, without first taking time to think it over, as you are actually doing.

My first thought was that you are dealing with someone who is mentally ill or suffering from an early stage of dementia. Of course I don't know that for sure but I think it's highly likely. So it never hurts to step back, and when you do react, try to do so calmly and kindly. You never know what's going on in her mind, for her to have such a strong, OTT reaction. Perhaps she is even frightened. Who knows, right?

How about something like this: "Oh, I'm sorry you don't like the noise. But you know, as far as I know, children are allowed to play outdoors in the afternoon, on public property. I'll definitely try to keep their noise to a minimum, though. Have a nice day, ma'am." If she keeps being unreasonable, just go on your way and try to avoid being near her home, as much as possible.

Also, some old bat flying out of her house all crazy, shrieking at little kids playing is a bit hysterical. Just another perspective. Good luck with it!

Tell her to mind her own business and smile!

Go back tomorrow at 1pm, if she pops out, say to her "don't worry we'll be finished playing by dinner time".
Ignore her.
Children playing is normal noise.

This : you can give her a proper Paddington Bear Hard Stare then just turn on your heel and walk off .

or tell her that the sounds of her cutlery scraping on her plates sets your teeth on edge "I find it's far worse with cheap plates" head tilt

Or: my neighbours across the street have the a dog barking every time the same night ( after 10pm) I eventually realised its a recording ... DH and I call it Synthetic Dog 😄
So get a really annoying loud dog bark recording ( I think they're a security alarm) and when she complains look baffled and say "I haven't even GOT a dog"!

It's the Easter holidays. She must be having fun times!

Oh 100%!

If I was you this would be my queue to take them out and do even more playing! Maybe tell them they can be as noisy as they like.

If the neighbour says anything more, perhaps give them a lovely kind update that she shouldn't worry because you'll be having your garden done shortly, so that the kids can play as loudly as they want in their new garden... 3 doors away :-D . Oh and then maybe buy them a nice new set of musical instruments :-D

@ReadingSoManyThreads You know you sound ridiculous ? Outside your house for 5 minutes would disturb you? So you think people should be silent when OUTSIDE your house . And intrigued to know what kind of scooters make such abominable noise . You are exactly the kind of narky neighbour that makes me laugh . Maybe you should move onto a vast estate - oh wait you can't afford it , so bought in an area where other people are entitled to live . Shudder away ..

Go out tomorrow and be prepared to stand your ground when you get neighbours like that they'll be voicing their demands at everything that doesn't go there way. Let her know your on a public road doing nothing wrong if she gets all mouthy tell to mind her own business and get a life. It's the half term have fun with your kids don't let her put you off! Enjoy your two weeks and tell the kids to let you know if the grumpy says anything to them. Once she knows ohh I can't win with this one she'll give up and not bother. Goodluckkk

Ignore the old cow. Your children are perfectly entitled to play there. If she doesn’t like it tell her to naff off to a detached house in the country if she can’t deal with children playing.

I have suspected autism (been referred, awaiting appt), and the noise from children playing makes me feel very uncomfortable. I can't move anywhere cheaper, so can't easily get away from it.

However, before anyone jumps on me, I know this is 100% my problem. Although the (very loud, constant screaming) kids neighbouring us are out more now (nice weather), I would not dream of moaning at them. I see kids playing out (or in gardens) during nice weather as normal, and something they should be able to do. I come indoors, have a quiet grumble to myself & use ear defenders/phones.

I wouldn't say anything unless it was really excessively loud & was going on v.early/late. Your neighbour is being a right cow. She doesn't own the pavement or the highway. Pls don't make your kids feel they've done anything wrong, 'cause they haven't.

In your neighbours defence those scooters are seriously loud. I’ve had it this week with some kids from a holiday cottage near us. We front right onto the pavement and it sounded like a train going past.
However I let it go because they are kids and hopefully they’ll be gone by the end of the week. Having said that the parents do need to ensure their kids are not being disruptive to others. Everyone just needs to be respectful.

Next time, tell her she needs to stop because your children are trying to scoot and all you can hear is THAT, and point at her.

Just ignore her, fuck her off in your mind.

Frustrated old bag.

I love hearing them play too, it means Summer is on the way