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?

Yes but regularly “letting rip” in a back garden really isn’t very fair on everyone else, is it?

Fair?

What's fair about Barry remodelling that bloody decking with an electric saw for the third time this year?

He drove me mad when I was trying to get my baby to nap. However, the world does not revolve around my baby and he has to get used to noise.

Just like everyone else.

We will be letting rip on a regular basis over the next three months. It might make up for the fact that he cries every morning because he can't go out.

Actually quite disgusted with this thread. Didn't this country score really low on child happiness a little while ago? Funny that

Barry is very annoying indeed. Doesn’t mean screaming children aren’t, too.

I think most reasonable people don’t include crying babies in that.

Galumphing 12 year olds are something else though.

I'm not making him play quitely for three months. Not even going to try.
Bloody hell, nobody is saying kids have to be quiet!
They're saying there's a reasonable level of noise that isn't shouting and screaming.

I've walked the dogs at different times this week. We live in a family area. I've heard games of football, children laughing, children chasing each other and telling each other to stop it, families in their gardens, one even had the sprinklers on and you could hear the kids excitement though rather them than me as it wasn't that hot.

What I haven't heard is shouting, screaming, making a racket and inconsiderate levels of noise.

It's almost like most people are reasonable and considerate neighbours.

My parents would never have allowed us to run screaming round the garden.
Noise? Fine.
Being completely inconsiderate? Not.
We don’t scream and shout in the house, in the street or in the garden. It’s not necessary.

Children do need to let off steam.
School playgrounds are way noisy and it's not clamped down on because that is what children do.
Children have lost such a lot. I do think it's going to be pretty long term.
Lots of children don't have gardens and can't play out at all. Plenty in UK live in overcrowded or substandard accomodation.
I remember being a child and a teen and the prospect of being at home for weeks on end, potentially on and off for two years, is horrendous. I remember how slowly time seems to pass when you are young.

I am really worried about the impact of this on children and young people. The mental health consequences will potentially be vast.

Children with no siblings will have no one to play with. And the time span could be long.

I know MN loves to slag off other people's kids as little bastards etc. But, this is an appalling situation for children. No park. No school. No games. No sports. No playing with friends. No outings, birthday parties, meeting up with friends, cousins, grandparents.

If this goes on long enough then the children may well stop making noise. The novel thing of being of school will sink in and the realisation of no contact with other children will hit. Then they might get a bit quiet. They really might. Or there might be crying. Which is also annoying. Arguing. Adults shouting more. DV is reported to be on the increase in countries with lockdown and it's been suggested child abuse including CSA will rise.

I suppose, be careful what you wish for.

What she said.

Attitudes on here are vile

This thread is really grim. All these people preaching about consideration haven't shown even the slightest drop of empathy for the kids involved.

That's quite goady. It's a bit of a leap from saying screaming is unpleasant and inconsiderate, to assuming people have no empathy for kids simply because they're saying they find screaming unpleasant and unnecessary. I haven't seen a single post on this thread that suggests children shouldn't play and have fun and even make some noise while doing so. They're just saying there's no need for prolonged or frequent screaming. Do you really not see a distinction between that and perfectly normal giggles/laughter/a bit of shouting and squealing here and there?

Ugh. Kids make noise. People make noise. Everyone has varying levels.

I wish people would be more
understanding and less critical.

There are really much more important things to worry about right now.

@Lludmilla

Read Beetroot's last post

We can read.
Noise? Fine.
Incessant. Top of the lungs screaming? Thoughtless and unnecessary.
Laughing, playing, shouting out, crying (unfortunately) all normal and letting off steam.

The only thing I can suggest op is to have a word with their parents. Either by phone if you have your neighbours numbers or over the fence at a safe distance.

There is nothing else to suggest.

I work from home and think myself very very lucky to be able to do so.

We have noise- dogs that bark loads, people getting busy with loud garden equipment- petrol lawnmowers, wood chippers, all sorts of stuff. And yes children.

That's life. On a practical note, can you work in a room that is further from the garden. Shut the windows. Put some music on.

It is difficult for everybody but seriously, children have lost so much, and will start to realise this soon. Then the noise might well reduce, or change.

I would rather hear 2 siblings playing loudly than an only child teen sobbing.

Like I say, things are going to get bad. Be careful what you wish for.

'crying (unfortunately) all normal '

Wow.

Well to the PP as time goes on there may well be more quiet and more crying and easy less excited screaming.

Something to look forward to.

I have a nasty feeling that we'll look back on this as the good bit. You know, before the bodies really start piling up.

Some of these kids will loose parents or grandparents. May be they'll be nice and quiet then?

Call me goady if you like.

I really am utterly disgusted by the attitudes on here. It's all wrapped up in a shiny, pretty package of moral outrage and indignation. Still a bag of shite though

What’s the “wow” for??
Kids make all sorts of noises.
Told no. Crying.
Falling out with sibling. Crying.
(We have a crying child very near us. Nothing ominous. )

I am disgusted with some of the attitudes on here also.

In times like these consideration of everyone is key. We are all in the same boat.

And yes of course kids cry. No need for the wow.

They're just saying there's no need for prolonged or frequent screaming. Do you really not see a distinction between that and perfectly normal giggles/laughter/a bit of shouting and squealing here and there?
Most people know the difference.
That's why when you walk around most places the perfectly normal childhood noise is more prevalent than the incessant shouting and screaming.
It's just nice online to claim that there's no difference and loud, inconsiderate screaming is totally normal and anyone who disagrees must hate any sound of children playing.

No empathy towards the children?
Have I been reading a different thread.
I have been supportive, I hope, in understanding the difficulties those who have children with additional needs at home.
These parents are coming along and explaining themselves.
These parents are the ones that deserve our empathy.
And yes empty argh towards to screamers running around annoying. Whilst their parents are too busy doing other stuff to care.

Where’s the empathy from the screamers parents?

Instead nope. Invest your time and money cos I have better things to do than give a shit about other people

I really am utterly disgusted by the attitudes on here.

Me too. I’m disgusted by the ignorant brigade who think that they and their children have an absolute right to behave in an anti-social manner with complete disregard to everyone around them.

Wolfie your post about how crying is normal came after mine saying

'It is difficult for everybody but seriously, children have lost so much, and will start to realise this soon. Then the noise might well reduce, or change.

I would rather hear 2 siblings playing loudly than an only child teen sobbing.,'

Yeah. Wow.

Don't worry. Children will quieten down once the novelty has worn off. They will get quieter as they realise this is their life for the foreseeable future. Once their grandparents start to die, for some of them parents, siblings. When they realise this isn't a brief break but a long time before they can see their families, friends, go to school, play with other children, do their football club etc...

Yes don't worry they will quieten down in a couple of weeks. And then, we will see what happens.

@ffswhatnext

The last time my son was screaming with delight, was because we were playing chasey.

I will continue doing that

@nomdefuckit NO screaming and screeching for hours on end IS NOT NORMAL PLAY.

Are you totally thick? Come and live in my house and hear the 6 year old girl next door screaming and screeching almost non stop from morning until gone 7pm. Even when she does stop she shouts never just talks. She has no additional needs she is just a noisy brat.

Calling me thick is no substitute for a proper argument or well articulated point of view.

Amusing though

Chasey games (noisey) begin in the garden in ten minutes, who's with me?

Whooooooppppppp!!!!!