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Original poster

And lo, the screaming in gardens has started

447 replies

Lludmilla · 24/03/2020 13:29

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?

OP posts:
AlexaAmbidextra · 27/03/2020 12:50

Seems a theme on this thread that people want others to be silent

Only when they bore on about the same thing for post after post.

AwrightDoreenTakeAFuckinDayOff · 27/03/2020 12:53

That said, if I were being chased about by some posters I’m almost feckin certain I would scream too.

nomdefuckit · 27/03/2020 12:53

I don't think people who are objecting realise what is going on.

We cannot leave the house (any of us) for three months. At all

No park

No nursery

No friends

No grandparents

We are not stepping past our drive

I am not, categorically not, going to insist that my little boy plays quitely and does not scream and shout, for three months solid.

Quite the opposite. I'm actively encouraging him to let of steam in the garden.

If the weather is tolerable, we will we about there.

We may scream and shout. We may sing (badly).

nomdefuckit · 27/03/2020 12:58

Oddly, my sons mental well-being is more important to me than whether someone finds him a bit irritating or even "chilled to the bone"

foreversville · 27/03/2020 12:58

There's a difference between noisy play with parents and children being left to the own devices to scream at the top of lungs like they're being murdered for no apparent reason.

If they're chasing them around in play - totally different

I wouldn't mind singing, I find that really cute!

LolaSmiles · 27/03/2020 13:05

I don't think people who are objecting realise what is going on
Obviously, we haven't a clue.

It couldn't be that we think there's a reasonable level of family noise that the vast majority of the population happen to follow.
Nope.
We must be insisting on quiet children at all times and don't understand what's going on. 🙄

Nobody defending shouting and screaming has explained to me why there's not deafening noise everywhere I go though. Of course if it is entirely reasonable and normal for children to scream and shout with zero consideration for others I'd have expected a cacophony of yelling and shrieking every day this week from all the gardens in my family dominated area.
Instead our area seems to have weird families and abnormal children who are playing, laughing and enjoying their gardens at an appropriate outdoor volume.

nomdefuckit · 27/03/2020 13:07

So, you're complaining about something that isn't even a problem for you?

ffswhatnext · 27/03/2020 13:10

I see the reality of what is going on. It’s everywhere. Of course children can play. Not one person has said differently.
No-one objects to normal play noise. It’s nice especially at the moment. On a normal day I’m in there with the kids playing, jumping in puddles etc.

The issue is the screamers who don’t shut up screaming from the moment they wake to the moment they sleep.

Most of us are aware that those with additional needs will be nosier than usual. It is to be expected. Their worlds have been turned upside down for weeks and will be the same one the isolation for all has lifted.

Crying it happens, young or old. If someone is crying for hours, like screamers with additional needs, it’s because something is wrong. They cannot always explain what is wrong.

Ask an persistent screamer and they know why they are screaming. It’s fun. A part of our role as a parent is to teach them about different types of fun, because there are some fun things that aren’t good for us.

Oh and someone mentioned it’s mainly girls who scream. Girls just sound shriller so they are heard more lol

Original poster
Lludmilla · 27/03/2020 13:10

I hope that your girl falls silent soon. For your sake. For whatever reason that may happen.

That's a really nasty thing to say.

OP posts:
nomdefuckit · 27/03/2020 13:11

This is a nasty thread

ffswhatnext · 27/03/2020 13:17

Oh I do have a confession.
Many years ago we were out and it was one of those days we have all had.
We were in a park at this point and it was either cry or scream. A couple of minutes running around with the kids, not just mean, screaming at the top of our lungs. They joined in after I started. It felt so fucking good.

Other adults looked at me Confused And afterwards normal childhood play noise resumed.

I really do understand the need to scream. It’s amazing at times. Doesn’t have to be endless though

LolaSmiles · 27/03/2020 13:18

So, you're complaining about something that isn't even a problem for you?
I'm saying I find the attitude of people who allow screaming and shouting to be rude and inconsiderate.

If all this screaming and shouting is normal and it's totally normal for children to make a racket then clearly the families in our immediate areas missed that memo because it would seem they manage to play and enjoy themselves and use their gardens without shouting and screaming.

Those such as yourself are saying people have an issue with children playing and normal reasonable play noise. The problemss with that claim are:

  1. I don't think anyone has an issue with children playing
  2. If shouting and screaming was really the norm then surely most family areas would be horrendously noisy

It's always interesting to watch those who are inconsiderate in their noise try their best to defend it.

fiddlethefiddles · 27/03/2020 13:21

that is child-free/for over 50s only.

Ahem. Over 50s do have children you know....

AwrightDoreenTakeAFuckinDayOff · 27/03/2020 13:25

I realise just fine nom as I am out in the thick of it most days. Which is why some sleep is important given I work shifts.

How ruddy dare you say we don’t know what is going on.

Your needs are clearly always coming first though. FOR IT IS ALL ABOUT YOU. Clearly.

Open your eyes.

Shockers · 27/03/2020 13:26

I take your screaming and I raise you two constantly barking dogs...

BeetrootRocks · 27/03/2020 13:29

So you are complaining about something that is not an issue for you.

ffswhatnext · 27/03/2020 13:29

@shockers
Thankfully this lock in has solved that issue. Owners either taken them with them when they bolted. Or owners are now at home all day so... owners don’t want to listen to the noise all day either and deal with it 🤣

BeetrootRocks · 27/03/2020 13:30

Fucking hell how many times do I have to say it. Try not to worry I am sure as this progresses, children will get quieter. For a variety of reasons.

There is hope, it will quieten, I'm sure it will. Just give it a couple of weeks.

ffswhatnext · 27/03/2020 13:31

Sometimes people can talk about an issue that might not have a direct impact on their lives at the moment.
Empathy.

Millettmum · 27/03/2020 13:33

Been thinking the same as quite close to the kids but then I think that I'll be having a baby in a few months so they'll listen to screams that way ha Grin

BeetrootRocks · 27/03/2020 13:33

But no empathy for children, little kids, who can't see their friends, can't see their wider families, are not allowed out to play with neighbours, are stuck in at home for possibly an extended time, and for some, a future that holds losing a parent. Plenty of parents have underlying health issues.

No definitely they don't need empathy.

BeetrootRocks · 27/03/2020 13:35

They need to shut the fuck up, in the words of a PP.

Poppinjay · 27/03/2020 14:17

Seems a theme on this thread that people want others to be silent.

Please point me to one post on this thread that says children should be silent.

foreversville · 27/03/2020 14:22

Yea they do!

Keeping the screaming and loud loud shouting down is part of being considerate to others. Which means having having empathy.

I already said noisy play is fine.

Gran22 · 27/03/2020 14:36

We have a very noisy child who plays in the yard behind our garden. He has some special needs, so neighbours understand, and often chat to him. However, his parents take enough notice and interest in him to ensure its not constant noise all day. I have grandchildren, they like to race about and yell at each other sometimes. That's fine too. However, if it gets to a certain pitch, an adult will suggest they need to tone it down, and they usually do.

Consideration just seems to be lacking in some people's make up.