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?

I feel your pain. I can’t stand the noise kids make!

I’m well aware that most of my neighbours are working from home now and others are vulnerable and in need of rest.

Yes the kids should get out in the garden for some fresh air but if there’s any screaming they’re brought right back in.

Why should other people have to suffer because of my child?

We've just moved house to a lovely quiet square surrounded by people aged 50+ and it's brilliant.

We were in our last flat for almost 7 years and every summer more and more feral children would join the swarm. They would be kicked out of their flats at sun-up and they'd scream like they were on fire alllll dayyyy. Sometimes until after 11pm on a weekday.

I will not miss it.

I was just thinking about when I was a child. We used to play ‘London’ airport in the back garden with accompanying aircraft noises. My Sister used to stand on our swing and let out Tarzan cries, another child nearby used to answer her. Bet we were popular!

This is why I insist my desk be in a room in the front of the house, and why I will never buy somewhere "open plan". Yes there's sometimes noise from the street but it tends to be transient. At the rear you get the noise for hours and hours.

And yes, there's a difference between playing, vs screeching and screaming, and swearing too, all of which our neighbours' kids do. I think the parents just don't give a shit.

It means we lose the spare room but it's better than than our sanity!

It's not as if you need a spare room at the moment so it's a better use of the space. Just don't go shopping to buy stuff for it.

My kids have been out in the garden awhile now. They've shouted at each other, a little squealing and the singing!!! Currently my DD is alternating making up her own song lyrics, we had one about all the clothes she had on including socks and knickers and opera singing. All wildly out of tune but full of enthusiasm. My DS just shouts at DD to push him on the swing, he hasn't mastered the art of swinging his little legs. We are lucky enough to have a enclosed garden with several garden toys. No need to go out in public and still burns there energy!!

It'll be raining by the end of the week - that'll stop them!

Why the F do people ALWAYS suggest 'earplugs' or 'noise cancelling headphones' when people are complaining about/worn down by noise from neighbours or other peoples kids or their partner's snoring?!

It pisses me off SO much. Why should the 'victims' of the noise have to adapt THEIR lifestyles and the way they do things?! How about these rude and obnoxious feckers MAKE LESS NOISE? Why are people so disgustingly inconsiderate?

We used to live in a big 4 bed house (some 10+ years back,) and 5 of the families in the close had 17 kids between them. Whilst 4 of the families had nice, calm kids; the one family were horrendous, and they lived next door. (We were detached thank fuck, but that didn't block out GARDEN noise!)

They had five kids between 3 and 12, and two aged 20 and 21, and the NOISE they used to make in the garden was unbearable.

The two older ones had 4 kids between them too (pre school age,) and every fucking DAY that it wasn't raining, the 2 adult DD would come round with their toddlers screaming and yelling and crying and being yelled at and shouted at by their mum or nan! And the summer holidays were a nightmare. Absolute hell it was.

We used to PRAY for torrential rain as it would drive them indoors! I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to potentially have it for 6 months (like we might have this year.)

I thank GOD that we live in a cottage now with 3 acres of land, and we have NO NEIGHBOURS for 5 to 7 minutes walk! I nearly had a fucking nervous breakdown with all the noise in our previous house. And my DC struggled to study for GCSEs and A levels with all the noise too, and had to go to the bloody library.

You have my sympathy @Lludmilla All you can do is tell them they are being very noisy and could they keep it down. No other suggestions really. The problem with OUR neighbour was that we got on well with them apart from the hideous noise of their kids in the gardens, and we also knew we intended to move when our DC left for uni. So we tolerated it.

The woman next door (the mum,) asked for our forwarding address when we moved. I said I would pop our contact details through the letterbox on moving day. Did I fuck! No WAY was I having her and her fucking noise mob coming round my house.

9-10 years later... Never seen her since. Thank God.

@ivegonegreyfindingausername that sounds incredibly irritating to listen to.

An enclosed garden doesn’t mean the noise won’t escape.

Certainly wouldn't recommend it, but my uncle used to call the police and report potential child abuse when his nightmare neighbours left their shrieking darlings in the garden all day. After the second visit, they played a lot quieter.

Sounds like a nightmare. Aren't there any adults around to tell them to STFU?

Enough of this children hating. At least someone is enjoying this debacle. Unless you're on a conference call, then you have my sympathy.

Yep, I really can understand people who are middle aged and older wanting accommodation that is child-free/for over 50s only. With so many people with so many unruly/noisy kids (who don't give a shit about the noise and disruption their kids make,) these places are essential.

When I was a child, every single one of us was taught to never scream unless your were in terrible danger.

We had 'The Boy who cried Wolf' story drummed into us over and over again, and told that screaming must only ever be a last resort to be used to scream for help.

We overlook a mews so the acoustics is quite impressive .

Upstairs dad is pretty loud all day and sings Lion King at his little girl, roars like a lion and chases her around as she squeals (then generally falls over and screams). He is now teaching her the song. She also jumps up and down and drops marbles (?) on the floor. We have wooden floors and she wakes up at 6 am and yells for her mum for about 20 mins. Every day.

Downstairs is equally as loud (kid about the same age) and he has a mouth like a foghorn (and he loved his own voice). He is teaching his little girl to stand on the balcony and yell out for some reason better known to himself.

Hating screaming doesn’t make you a child hater. How stupid.

I mean, I DO hate other people’s children but I don’t think that's how most other scream haters feel. I'd love if I never had to hear other people’s children at all. When I rule the universe... wistful sighs

I want to go into my garden and scream. I'm not surprised kids who might have been indoors for a while, who might be feeling scared and anxious, or who might want to god forbid have some fun, will be screaming/making noise. Get some noise cancelling ear phones and perspective.

When we were children my mum used to send us inside if we were getting loud and shouty in the garden - 'if I don't want to hear you lot, no one else does!!!'.

It's not child-hating to not want your eardrums burst.

I've had them. It was awful, and for some reason, outside it was louder. How is that even possible? I couldn't sit by and ignore it. It drove me insane never mind the neighbours.

If no-one is telling them to stop screaming, they are oblivious.

I think @AmericanAdventure is the parent of the kids who making the OP's life a misery. ^

So why have children been screaming for decades then? Because apparently many of you think they're only doing it now because of this terrible situation? Last summer the screamers were anxious about what exactly?

how old are the dc & do you know if any of them have issues/disabilities
however be tolerant & tactful if you mention noise - beside anything else I can imagine their parents are on the edge to. I looked after one dc under 5 who always use to have a tantrum at the drop of the hat - dc would yell even louder if you tried to move them it was fun (not) & believe me if they were inside you would be complaining about the noise inside the house next door - it turns out many of dc like this have issues be it tiredness, diet related (yup it happens especially when dc need carbs), bad mood because things aren't the same , & being wound up by sibling - it could be worse they could be your dc in your house or your garden - their parent may well be trying to work from home & have no child care & sent them out in the garden - some dc are placid some are - not.

If the kid has a learning disability then that could be difficult. Otherwise, we live in communities, children are part of that community and modifying our behaviour, along with tolerance, is something everyone will need to learn. I have worked from home for a number of years, and excessive noise is very disruptive and makes it difficult to concentrate. Ear plugs are an option, but also a faff, if you have to speak on the phone - and then you can hear it all whilst your trying to concentrate on a conversation.

YANBU - give and take. Maybe have a word, or write a letter? alternatively yell from the window STFU !!!

I'm right with you,OP. I've just had a morning of it from children across the road and in their back garden ; screams certainly carry in this still weather,don't they?!

Yes, play outside. No, don't scream. Thank you.
It's going to be a long summer.