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Original poster

to be fed up with neighbours' bedtime toddler running routine?

59 replies

juststoop · 19/04/2026 10:11

Every single evening, the neighbours next door seem to try and tire out their toddler before bed by letting him run around the house screaming. I don’t mean a bit of noise, I mean full-on running laps with the volume getting louder. I can hear them encouraging him to run faster.

It happens every night, at the same time and the noise carries straight through the walls. It is not just footsteps, it is the shouting and high-pitched screaming that goes with it.

I did mention it to them once and they said that they do it on purpose to tire him out before bed, like it was some kind of clever routine. Basically they weren't going to stop.

I get that toddlers are noisy and I am not expecting silence. I wish it would stop.

OP posts:
Fibrous · 19/04/2026 18:35

Yeah we thought that too. She has some neurodivergence I think.

we’re moving to a detached soon. She has been top of the list of reasons to move. Our walls are really thin.

Original poster
juststoop · 19/04/2026 17:42

Fibrous · 19/04/2026 17:40

My neighbours still do this. She’s six.

terraced life.

Really? The toddler next door is 2. I was hoping it might stop soon!

OP posts:
Fibrous · 19/04/2026 17:40

My neighbours still do this. She’s six.

terraced life.

Original poster
juststoop · 19/04/2026 17:38

Pinkflamingo10 · 19/04/2026 16:22

Some children need “rough-housing” or boisterous horse play just before bed to settle them. Especially those with extra needs or neurodiversity.

Edited
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Does everyone else need to hear it though?

OP posts:
cariadlet · 19/04/2026 16:58

Accidentally voted YBU and can't change my vote.
YNBU. Definitely not. Sorry!

Pinkflamingo10 · 19/04/2026 16:22

Whosthetabbynow · 19/04/2026 11:17

Selfish, selfish fucking idiots. Who would think whipping the kid into a frenzy would help him sleep? Lousy parenting yet again and bollocks to anyone else.

Some children need “rough-housing” or boisterous horse play just before bed to settle them. Especially those with extra needs or neurodiversity.

user1476613140 · 19/04/2026 16:19

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 19/04/2026 10:13

This sounds horrendous. Why can’t they tire him out in the day like everyone else

I have next door neighbours that keep their 4yo DD up at weekends throughout the night when they've friends over for a drinking session. She then sleeps all day Sunday.

Yep there are parents like that out there.

Original poster
juststoop · 19/04/2026 16:18

BiddlyBipBipBeeBop · 19/04/2026 16:15

At least he then goes to sleep so you all get a quiet evening! Would the alternative mean noise for longer if he won’t settle? It won’t be forever.

It does mean a quiet evening. He would be up for longer playing with normal toddler noise but the parents want to fast forward bedtime hence the running game.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 19/04/2026 16:15

I know it’s shit, but it is at least predictable shit - put the tv on loud for an hour, knowing that it’s going to be over

BiddlyBipBipBeeBop · 19/04/2026 16:15

At least he then goes to sleep so you all get a quiet evening! Would the alternative mean noise for longer if he won’t settle? It won’t be forever.

Original poster
juststoop · 19/04/2026 16:07

MabelRoyds · 19/04/2026 15:28

Why don’t they take him to the park?! Why doesn’t his dad play football with him in the garden, at a much earlier time?! They sound stupid and inconsiderate. Headphones required!

The weather isn't always that great. The garden would work and would be less noisy. I guess by doing it inside, he gets so tired they can just pop him in bed. Then they settle down for some quality time together.

OP posts:
MrMucker · 19/04/2026 15:34

On threads about problem neighbours I never quite get the suggestions of retaliation in kind as a means to convincing them stop, it's as if the basic human psychology of escalation and war is some sort of amusing urban myth.

themonkeysnuts · 19/04/2026 15:32

@ThatGoldLeader I bet you would see a problem if they were your neighbors

MabelRoyds · 19/04/2026 15:28

Why don’t they take him to the park?! Why doesn’t his dad play football with him in the garden, at a much earlier time?! They sound stupid and inconsiderate. Headphones required!

ThatGoldLeader · 19/04/2026 15:22

juststoop · 19/04/2026 10:38

It starts at 6.45 and goes on until around 8.00 sometimes a bit earlier if toddler gets worn out early.

Show quote history

Wear headphones and watch a programme/film for an hour? Don't really see the issue.

maudelovesharold · 19/04/2026 15:03

Some children need a burst of exercise and proprioceptive input before bed to help them to sleep.

I’d go and tell them their child’s proprioceptive input is disturbing your equilibrium, and suggest they take him to the nearest park if he needs to let off steam.

PaperAirplanesFlying · 19/04/2026 14:46

Have you tried asking them to quieten down a bit? Obviously you’ve “mentioned” it to them, but have you actually said to them that you find the noise disturbing and asked if they can tone it down?

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 19/04/2026 11:50

thesnailandthewhale · 19/04/2026 11:37

Copy them … run around your house screaming and let them see what it’s like … if you can’t beat em, join em!

This is the best idea, tbh.

thesnailandthewhale · 19/04/2026 11:37

Copy them … run around your house screaming and let them see what it’s like … if you can’t beat em, join em!

Lavender14 · 19/04/2026 11:33

RosaMundi27 · 19/04/2026 10:17

Wait till toddler falls asleep, then play your favourite music as loud as your speakers will go. Do this every evening. When they complain that you're waking up their kid tell them that this is your evening routine to tire yourself out before sleep. They'll get the message.

This is ridiculous advice and a great way to get yourself a noise complaint. As frustrating as it is the noise being made by the toddler would fall under 'normal' household noise, but blaring music through speakers will not be. So op could land herself in hot water doing this never mind destroy any relationship she has with the neighbours.

Op what I would do is go around again and be polite but firm and say you understand this has become their routine but they maybe don't realise how much the noise is carrying through. Tell them it's awful to listen to and while you expect some noise, you would appreciate it if they could be more mindful of how loud it is.

@OnlyMabelInTheBuilding Have you had a toddler? Some are higher energy than others. I could go hiking with mine during the day and he'd still be wired at bedtime. I've resorted to this before, getting mine to run up and down the hall to try to get the last energy out before bed. The difference is I was in a detached house at that point and it only lasted about 15 minutes. Now I'm in a terrace I would never let my child do that and I'm very mindful of any shouting or screaming etc. So I can see their logic, but they need to find a middle ground.

Eggyleggy · 19/04/2026 11:32

Some children need a burst of exercise and proprioceptive input before bed to help them to sleep.
When you mentioned it to them did you say you were finding bit annoying or did you just say you'd noticed it? If they laughed it off perhaps they didn't realise it was a problem for you or realise how much the noise carries.
I think ask them directly to try to stop the screaming but the running might be what is needed to get him to bed at a reasonable time.
We had a phase where our eldest needed to jump off things on to beds/sofas for a good 45 mins before a short story and bed.

toomuchfaff · 19/04/2026 11:25

RosaMundi27 · 19/04/2026 10:17

Wait till toddler falls asleep, then play your favourite music as loud as your speakers will go. Do this every evening. When they complain that you're waking up their kid tell them that this is your evening routine to tire yourself out before sleep. They'll get the message.

This. 100%

AgnesX · 19/04/2026 11:17

Do they know that the soundproof is so poor? Record the noise and play it back and see what the reaction is. Base your reaction based on that....

Whosthetabbynow · 19/04/2026 11:17

Selfish, selfish fucking idiots. Who would think whipping the kid into a frenzy would help him sleep? Lousy parenting yet again and bollocks to anyone else.

BewareoftheLambs · 19/04/2026 11:15

Annoying and not what I'd do, but I guess the alternative is he doesn't go to sleep and you end up with noise for longer into the evening/night. Really they need to wear him out during the day, but that can be tricky if juggling work and other things going on. Luckily he will grow up quickly!