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Original poster

AIBU to expect neighbours to keep loud kids indoors before 9am?

131 replies

GreenSingingFrog · 21/03/2026 08:37

New neighbours moved in recently a few doors down, and now the nice weather has started their 3 kids have been out in the garden each morning. It starts at 7.30am and they’re very loud and scream constantly.

I don’t mind on a weekday, but it’s the same time at the weekend too. It’s waking us up and we’re not even next door so must be worse for those closer.

We didn’t let ours out until about 9am at least at the weekend and I’ve brought them inside on occasion when they’ve been arguing and screaming, to sort it out without disturbing everyone around.

AIBU to think they shouldn’t let the kids out until more like 9am if they’re going to be screaming continuously?

OP posts:
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BarMonaco · 05/04/2026 06:54

We brought our kids up to be considerate like you did OP. Unfortunately some people are too lazy to do that and just bring them up to be as antisocial and selfish as they are.

NormasArse · 05/04/2026 06:49

Bananarice · 21/03/2026 08:46

Close your window. If that is not enough, invest in better soundproofing windows. Children have a right to enjoy their own gardens.

I think it is wonderful children playing outside instead off being stuck inside watching screens.

At 7:30 am though?

I was unlucky enough to live (with my own children) next door to a ‘screamer’. It was honestly horrible.

dreamiesformolly · 23/03/2026 13:11

FrauPaige · 23/03/2026 03:21

9am? Wow, you sleep until late.

Late? On a weekend? Good grief. But even if OP did get up late, what's the point of moralising about it?

Whosthetabbynow · 23/03/2026 10:12

Floorplanhelpp · 23/03/2026 02:53

If children playing in their garden loudly really affects you to the extent that it influences the enjoyment of your entire summer then you sound really fucking miserable 😂.

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Do I? I take it you’ve never lived on a South London estate. It’s not little kids chatting in the garden it’s feral louts whacking footballs and please don’t speak to me like that.

Dawnintheageofaquariams · 23/03/2026 03:50

MoreMaths · 21/03/2026 09:19

That was my initial reaction too!

Here we go… months of threads coming about kids playing outside, BBQs, music and parties in the garden, topless lawn mowing and leaving the washing out overnight! 😊

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Way back when I was a student, my then BF and I lived in a flat that overlooked a garden at the back. The neighbours would frequently have sex in the garden...

Goatsarebest · 23/03/2026 03:29

You are posting at 3.20am and think getting up at 9am is late. Are you one of those that does 4 hours a night?

FrauPaige · 23/03/2026 03:21

9am? Wow, you sleep until late.

Goatsarebest · 23/03/2026 03:16

Lkt32 · 22/03/2026 18:58

We generally had a 9am rule. Terraced houses, gardens back to back - there's always going to be noise in summer months but most people seemed to try and keep it after 9am.

My daughter did go in the garden before that time in summer to play with the rabbits, but she would be sent in if she made noise at that time.

Rabbits are great family pets but playing with them isn't noisy.

Goatsarebest · 23/03/2026 03:13

Planning conditions usually permit construction work from 7.30am so I would assume children have the same conditions. Where I live in rural Ireland anyone who isn't a farmer up before 7.30am would be because they were sneaking their overnight partner out before anyone else was up. Farmers, of course, know.

Floorplanhelpp · 23/03/2026 02:53

Whosthetabbynow · 21/03/2026 08:49

And people wonder why I prefer the winter months.

If children playing in their garden loudly really affects you to the extent that it influences the enjoyment of your entire summer then you sound really fucking miserable 😂.

Bananarice · 23/03/2026 01:55

To be honest, I have not received one complaint from my neighbours. When my children play, there is normal noise but no screaming (maybe after an injury). Constant screaming might be a safe guarding concern. I haven't heard the screams the Op is discussing.

In my old neighbourhood, I used to close my window when downstairs neighbour went out to smoke. It is called taking actions on what I can control.

Op can also contact the council and the parents. Letting them know the level of noise is unacceptable. See what happens. Other than that, I don't know what can be done.

ClairDeLaLune · 22/03/2026 22:07

Bananarice · 21/03/2026 08:46

Close your window. If that is not enough, invest in better soundproofing windows. Children have a right to enjoy their own gardens.

I think it is wonderful children playing outside instead off being stuck inside watching screens.

Why should she close her window? And swelter inside when it’s hot?? Is that really a serious suggestion?

Children can enjoy their garden without screaming. If they scream, bring them inside. And you close your windows to stop the screams getting out!

Adults have a right to enjoy their own gardens without being subjected to this particular form of torture.

Pinkissmart · 22/03/2026 21:03

Bananarice · 21/03/2026 08:46

Close your window. If that is not enough, invest in better soundproofing windows. Children have a right to enjoy their own gardens.

I think it is wonderful children playing outside instead off being stuck inside watching screens.

Come on! Really? You would shout at 7.30 am? Of course it’s nice for kids to play, but they need to be courteous too

TakeALookAtTheseSwatches · 22/03/2026 19:11

YANBU at all! Before 9am is totally unreasonable on their part. For the people saying it's hard when kids are up at 5, I also think getting up at 5 is mad, that's the middle of the night, mine weren't allowed out of bed til 7 at the earliest on weekends.

Lkt32 · 22/03/2026 18:58

We generally had a 9am rule. Terraced houses, gardens back to back - there's always going to be noise in summer months but most people seemed to try and keep it after 9am.

My daughter did go in the garden before that time in summer to play with the rabbits, but she would be sent in if she made noise at that time.

HotMummaSummer · 22/03/2026 18:13

I do think they are being unreasonable! Maybe pop a note through their door so they are aware it's waking you. I know my kids are loud but honestly it becomes background noise and sometimes you forget how that level of noise sounds to others who aren't used to it!

MrsClattenburg · 22/03/2026 16:00

AeriatedAnna · 22/03/2026 14:18

If he gets up early he probably goes to bed early, I’d let him have it as soon as he was in bed.

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I've just said to DH, roll on summer when we shall be loud in the garden at 9pm! 😂

ByKookyPombear · 22/03/2026 15:49

Aeroyum · 21/03/2026 19:16

I’m so sorry that you had to endure being driven out of your home by this behaviour. Why are some people so bloody selfish?

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In a much better area now, but the house we moved from had a lot of work pjt into it inside and the garden had to be done, only there for 2 1/2 years

this house is similar needs a lot of work done to it, but is out of the way and not many people will love here

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 22/03/2026 14:38

screamtoabloodysigh · 21/03/2026 13:05

I grew up in the free range 80s. No one was outside that early. Saturday morning telly didn't finish that early.

Kids usually drifted out after that.
I didn't tolerate screaming in my own kids. Dd tried it for a bit, when she caught it from girls in school, but she knocked it on the head pretty quickly.

We have 2 kids behind us who nick the fucking football constantly. Thud, thud, thud. Then it comes over. Then all of them come over until we have about 7. Then they fight and the younger one wails until the mum comes out.

I used to think people who stabbed footballs were twats, but 7 footballs a day is excessive and I'm sick of having my flowers crushed, so I'm sorely tempted.

Isn’t there Saturday morning telly anymore?

Sartre · 22/03/2026 14:32

We have a 10am rule on weekends because we know people like to have a lie-in, especially on a Sunday. I’m mindful of neighbours without children really, even though I know our NDN who don’t have children have dogs and are out at 6.30am with them every day (their dogs yap as they leave so I hear it). Still just think it’s better to not potentially irritate anyone.

AeriatedAnna · 22/03/2026 14:18

MrsClattenburg · 21/03/2026 08:45

Annoying.

However I'd take 7.30am as my neighbour goes into the garden at 5.45am (every bloody morning) to go in his shed. You can hear him moaning at the dog (loudly) and scraping the shed door across the patio 😡

If he gets up early he probably goes to bed early, I’d let him have it as soon as he was in bed.

Manthide · 22/03/2026 14:15

I like hearing dc play but new neighbours have moved in 2 doors away and I think they operate a nursery from their house. I'm not looking forward to the noise in the summer as it was bad enough the other day when I hung the clothes out!

DangerousAlchemy · 22/03/2026 08:06

Bananarice · 21/03/2026 08:46

Close your window. If that is not enough, invest in better soundproofing windows. Children have a right to enjoy their own gardens.

I think it is wonderful children playing outside instead off being stuck inside watching screens.

You honestly think hearing kids screaming, shouting and arguing outside is wonderful? I call bullsh*t 🤣

Aeroyum · 21/03/2026 21:51

icouldholditwithacobweb · 21/03/2026 21:13

It's possible for children to learn to play quietly you know! They can have a lot of fun without the continuous screeching, and it's good for them to learn early on that they need to be respectful of other people.

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Exactly. Society will fall apart if people are unable to show basic consideration to others.

icouldholditwithacobweb · 21/03/2026 21:13

Bananarice · 21/03/2026 08:46

Close your window. If that is not enough, invest in better soundproofing windows. Children have a right to enjoy their own gardens.

I think it is wonderful children playing outside instead off being stuck inside watching screens.

It's possible for children to learn to play quietly you know! They can have a lot of fun without the continuous screeching, and it's good for them to learn early on that they need to be respectful of other people.

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