grumpy old neighbours

[yogamatcalling]

AIBU? What time of night do you think it is acceptable for children to play outside in a private garden and driveway? My children are allowed to play outside in Summer to 8.30, latest 9pm when the light allows. They are not screaming or shrieking, they are trampolining, skateboarding and riding their bikes. According to my neighbour they are so loud (I can't hear them) that she can't hear her TV and she would like to go to bed at 8pm but with their noise she is unable to sleep. Why should I stop them playing because she likes to go to bed ridiculously early. I really think she is making it up for something to complain about...I've absolutely had enough of her ringing me and ranting down the phone about their playing. Shouldn't children be allowed to play and make some noise between 9am - 9pm?

Until the last twenty years, this was perfectly normal

Maybe in your street, not where most people live! Why can't you let your children be noisy during the day and do something more quiet after 7pm? What's wrong with taking them out for a quiet activity?
English children seem to have tea at ridiculous early hours in the afternoon, there's plenty time left to take them for a bike ride, to walk the dog, to the local park or the beach depending where you live.

Get off Mumsnet, and go for a long walk with them, everybody will benefit.

Your neighbour is being unreasonable. It's the school holidays. Your kids can only play outside when it isn't raining. I'm going to be controversial but in my street it's kids noise until it gets dark! Neighbour can get some earplugs. If she can't get to sleep, maybe she is going to bed too early. I'd say your suggestion of 9pm is completely reasonable.

Personally, I'd refuse to budge on this one. Absolutely no way. If neighbour really can't stand the noise of kids she should move somewhere without kids i.e. one of those developments full of elderly people. She's not complaining because she's elderly and requires accomodating, she's complaining because she is grumpy and unreasonable. I expect she was out playing until it got dark when she was a kid....

Personally, I'd refuse to budge on this one. Absolutely no way. If neighbour really can't stand the noise of kids she should move somewhere without kids i.e. one of those developments full of elderly people

dramatic much.

Neighbour can get some earplugs.

Well as one of the neighbours issue is that they can't hear their tv that's hardly a solution is it.

Thanks for your responses, I guess the jury is out! Ultimately it's about being reasonable and not making noise during anti-social hours (Shall we say not before 9am and not after 8pm? And being a good neighbour and not complaining about every little squeak...I've never complained about their twice weekly lawn mowing and daily leaf blowing...Better they are outside whilst they can in the Summer and not glued to a screen. Only a few more weeks and it will be dark when they get back from school.