Downstairs neighbours have complained about noise AIBU?

[tonightonight]

Background:
I live in a block of three large flats. Upstairs has a balcony, my flat has Juliet balcony under upstairs's balcony. Downstairs has French doors that open onto a small back yard, again directly under my Juliet balcony.
My baby is 6 months old and currently teething so is a bit more grumpy than normal. He's usually very well behaved and DH and I are very conscious to ensure he isn't disturbing everyone too much. When I first found out I was pregnant I put a note in each neighbours letter box letting them know that I was expecting and once baby was here, if they had any problems to please come and speak to us.

So, this week, as we all know, has been ridiculously hot. DS has been in just his nappy or nappy and a vest to keep him cool. I've had a couple windows open in his room and our room during the day and the Juliet doors open in the living room. I've also got my nursing chair by the Juliet. So when I'm feeding DS I read to him (currently Harry Potter... more for me than him lol). I speak softly when I read because he's obviously feeding and biting when startled.
Downstairs had a couple guests over and we're sitting in their yard which is under my Juliet talking and drinking. I was sat in my chair reading aloud. I then had the wife say in a loud voice "oh is she still not done reading that shit to her baby?!" They then entered into a loud conversation about how inconsiderate I've been by having my doors open as they can hear everything and it's not fair.
Once DH was home I went down to speak to them and they told me I was selfish and entitled. I asked how as I was sitting in my own house reading to my son? I wasn't in a public space or anything and it was too hot to not have the doors open!
I mean, he's a baby so he does cry but I always shut the doors when that happens anyways.
I can hear upstairs's TV when all our doors are open but that's flat life isn't it?!
AIBU?

[PickAChew]

You are not the selfish and entitled one, here.

[IHateUncleJamie]

YANBU, OP - I love that you read aloud while bf-ing ❤️ - I did the same to my now 17 yr old dd and she's an avid reader.

Your neighbours are nasty rude shites. If I were you I'd continue and every now and then shove in a spurious sentence about rude and entitled twatty neighbours, mid-chapter. Just to check whether they're earwigging.

[rightwhine]

"I'm afraid the reading went on for a bit longer than it should have, but he couldn't get to sleep because of all the noise you lot were making..."

[FromAtoBin21months]

I think the only selfish and entitled person here is your neighbour. YANBU

[AutumnalLeaves38]

OP,

YAdefinitelyNBU.



Come and live upstairs from me, please. You sound wonderful.


So, to clarify:

• Your DS (whose pic is gorgeous, btw) sleeps through, even when teething, thus giving DSNs 11ish hours free from any baby noise
  

• DS is a generally happy baby, and when crying does happen (how dare he? At 6 months he clearly should be more aware of his own volume. Tsk), you do all you can to minimise it by taking him elsewhere
  

• You were considerate enough to broach subject of potential noise disturbance over a year ago, inviting DSNs to come and speak to you if any problems arose.
  

They haven't done.

Yet they've now called you "selfish and entitled" ???

Did they elaborate on why?
Have they got another issue simmering, and using the reading to your DS 'too loudly' is just a handy excuse?

[Madwoman5]

what rude, nasty intolerant twats. Ignore them. They are just ignorant.

[originalbiglymavis]

I'm pondering which character in fiction would benefit from having a Geordie accent.

Maybe Mary Poppins? "Eeeeee Janey pet, haddaway an' bring Mary her umbrella, my bonny lamb... Mum was from Newcastle but only think of rude Georgdie-isms off the top of my head (mam was terrible!).

[xotyl]

I think they maybe a little jealous, do they know you are moving? Could this be fuelling a bit of resentment?

Reading to your baby is so worthwhile , being read to is lovely we all read to each other in this house ds is 17. I think reading and being read to has a huge influence .

Being a bit of a frustrated actress I did all the voices in Harry Potter

[AutumnalLeaves38]

Maybe there's scope for OP to make £££s: Geordie readings of all the childhood classics...



Would be bloody marvellous.

[putdownyourphone]

Oooh yea start doing character voices when you read! And shouting 'expeliamous' randomly during the day!

[tonightonight]

@AutumnalLeaves38 I know they are just generally whingy. They often argue with the lads upstairs because they smoke on their balcony.

[danTDM]

Christ...
backs out of thread.
Good luck OP you are in the right, of course.
Correct answer?

[AutumnalLeaves38]

OP, do you sound like Gina McKee?

play the "Geordie Documentary" audio clip

(She's from County Durham. As a Southerner, I'm a bit confused about who qualifies as Mackems vs Geordies vs Smoggies...so apologies if I'm wrong!)

[tonightonight]

@originalbiglymavis wizard of oz?

"Aw here man Dorothy, piss off back to Kansas man and giv iz me sodding flippas!"

[tonightonight]

@danTDM .... still no response to my question? Oh your off? Bye now.

[tonightonight]

@AutumnalLeaves38
Durham is a bit posher than Geordie id say. Mackems say "beuk" instead of "buk"
Geordies say "boook"
Smoggies say "bewk"

Ive no idea if that helps lol. Watch clips online of Ant & Dec in byker grove. I sound more like that.

[Funnyface1]

This is the equivalent of being in your garden when they are in theirs. You're perfectly entitled. I can't believe they think you should really keep all your windows closed in the heat we've been having.

If they feel the need complain about you reading to your baby then their expectations from flat living are bloody high. I rented one many moons ago and only lasted 3 months, it was hell. So glad to hear you are getting away from them to a house.

They are rude, don't pay attention to them. Maybe recite abit of Romeo and Juliet in dramatic fashion?

[AutumnalLeaves38]

Thanks

Maybe more Jill Halfpenny/ Cheryl Cole then?

Fascinated by accents. If I'm around anyone with a strong one, I automatically seem to pick it up (and then get accused of taking the piss).

Ah, Byker Grove


Do you get on with your upstairs neighbours?
Have they mentioned anything noisewise?

[tonightonight]

@AutumnalLeaves38 upstairs don't mind/care. They have friends round every weekend so I think they're just grateful that we haven't complained lol

[TDHManchester]

OMG thats terrible,how could they be so spiteful? I think that if you live in close proximity to neighbours ie flats/terrace/semi you have to give and take, have consideration and respect and try to be a good neighbour.

I used to live next door to a noisy neighbour who made my life hell. I am not exageratting when i say i came within inches of murder. It isnt nice, but this kind of thing you describe sounds just aweful.

[chloesmumtoo]

Aw you sound a lovely mum tonightonight
Yanbu
Carry on reading to your little one and ignore them. You sound very considerate and people take advantage of that. They are been ridiculous. Have had awful neighbours myself that would complain over nothing too. Fortunately they moved eventually so we now have a young couple with a baby instead and I just love hearing them being fab parents. Yes I hear them sing and yes I hear all the funny sounds they make and smile to myself. I also hear baby crying but I have been there so don't bat an eyelid, atleast I don't have to get out of bed to baby It is loads better than the complainers who were there previously who ended up becoming people that rowed until 1 pm and constantly slammed doors screaming at each other without a care about my dc's.
Some people will moan about anything and everything and think they are more intitled than everyone else, ignore them.
Glad you wont have to put up with them for too long. People like that can have quite an affect on your life.
If you lived nextdoor to us I think my dd would be listening to you read Harry Potter too

[chloesmumtoo]

• 1am

[AutumnalLeaves38]

OP,

Suitable reading for them to 'overhear' next...

[Keepthebloodynoisedown]

Yanbu, part of living in flats is hearing noise, particularly in the summer.
My mum and grandparents and various aunts and uncles read to me all the time, and I've always loved reading.
Yabu for posting that lovely picture and making me v. jealous though

[Pebbles1989]

How bloody rude. Reminds me of the time I went to practise the violin at university (in a designated practice room, mind) and somebody nearby said very loudly, "Not that fucking violin again!" I could have smacked him over the head with it.