To think having blinds shut all day is weird?

[hmmmmm]

Neighbour has 2 small dcs. Her roller blinds are shut all the time. Never seen them open.

I know it sounds like I'm going out of my way to look but I'm not. I only notice when passing during the day.

Is this usual? Even in summer? I know it's winter now but it's always been the case since they moved in last year. I've seen the dcs outside so they're ok with daylight.

She's quite shouty and the 5 year old is often crying. I suppose this worries me more tbh. When mine were 5 they rarely cried. I don't think the 5 year old has sn as I've met her a few times. Always seems grateful for attention.

The mother is nice enough and her dsis is there a lot as neither go out to work. So am glad she has support.

I sound like a nosey neighbour but it's just something that niggles me. The blinds always shut.

[mydogisthebest]

My next door neighbour and her neighbour close their curtains and blinds when they go out. Their reasoning is that then they won't get burgled because the burglar can't see through the window to see if anyone is home and/or see what there is worth stealing.

I have said that surely it makes it easier for a would be burglar because if they watched their houses even for a short time it would be obvious that if the curtains/blinds are closed the house is empty. Plus they could then rifle through everything with no chance of being seen

[Oblomov17]

horizontal Blinds in lounge, 2 in bedroom, all permanently shut. Don't want anyone passing looking in.
Rollerblind in kitchen goes up and down.

But your nosiness re why the 5 year old cries, makes my hackles go up. Glad you aren't my neighbour.

[SistersOfPercy]

I always keep the bedroom ones closed in winter to keep the heat in. We live at the highest point of our city with no shelter so the house gets battered with wind.

That said, my NDN moved in 9 years ago. They have never opened their living room curtains (or put a light shade up because you can see it's silhouette through the curtains). They aren't overlooked either. They rent and we think they have someone else living in the lounge.

[willyougotobed]

We have the front blinds closed or on a slant so you can't see in. I don't like people looking in. If dc have got all the toys out and it looks like we've been burgled, I'd rather put it all away at bedtime. Otherwise I'd be up and down putting one away, getting another out, get that last one out again. I do that if someone's coming round. But if nobody is, I'd rather just let them get on with it.

Some dc do cry more than others. The level of frustration can be very variable. Some comply really easily and others don't. That's just personality I think. Some you never have to raise your voice with, others it's a constant battle. We've recently moved into a terrace and I'd say our ndn makes more noise than we do. She has one dc who's about 16. We regularly hear shouting. Whereas mine are a bit younger and generally do what they're told at the moment.

[Merida83]

Previous flat i lived in for 5 years, Blinds very rarely open. Not cos we wanted it but because it was only way to get any privacy!

[scotchpie]

I always have my blinds closed, very light sensitive & sun shines in during the day.

At least vertical/horizontal ones can by opened slightly without people being able to see directly into the room, not so easy with rollers.

[Standingcat]

We have them in white, lots of natural light and completely opaque at night

[cdtaylornats]

On sunny days I close my blinds because the house across the road is painted white.

[Standingcat]

www.247blinds.co.uk/day-night-blinds#isPage=1

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

I have front curtains closed but an open plan downstairs with double French doors, a rear facing dining area window and double height kitchen with two windows a half glass door and a sky light so I don't need the front window curtains open we get loads of natural light. It may look to passers by that we live in gloom but we don't. I don't care or take note if others have blinds or curtains open or shut, it makes no odds to me.

[Slimthistime]

another one looking for daylight saving blinds info....

[PandorasXbox]

I agree that it sounds a little odd. There could be genuine reasons though. Hope she’s ok.

[Standingcat]

I have day night blinds and they are down all the time, closed at night

[Briette]

I hate opening my blinds. I feel more comfortable with privacy, rather than feeling like a display piece. I'm quite photosensitive too so appreciate having full control over light levels.

I would legitimately not notice if I was in a room with no windows at all (though being able to open them certainly has advantages in summer).

[user1491678180]

@hmmmmm

The last time I knew someone who had their blinds and curtains closed all the time, they were running a cannabis factory. The police broke in after reports of 'weird smells,' and found £1.3 million worth of cannabis growing there.

Just saying.

Unless you think they are running something illegal there, I can't fathom why it concerns you though to be honest. And as a few people have said, bully for you for having children that rarely cried. Do you realise how smug and judgemental you sound?

[hmmmmm]

Some*

[hmmmmm]

She isn't a hoarder or untidy afaik? It must just be the way som people live. I've just never come across it with all my friends and family.

[SpookghosttiAndMeatboos]

My parents do this - they have massive windows at the front of their house, so because of a combination of privacy, to stop heat escaping(winter) or overheating (summer) and by the afternoon to stop the sun shining straight in and blinding them, they keep the curtains (blinds when I was a kid) closed.

My other half would happily leave blinds shut the whole time too - nothing nefarious, just doesn't need to see out.

[HateSummer]

Oh and I have to shout too sometimes when asking my kids to do something for the 10 millionth time, like getting dressed, finding shoes, finding coats etc. You actually deserve an award for being so perfect. I’m in awe of you opening blinds and having children you don’t shout at or who cry. Can I be your best friend? 🤥🤥🙄

[HateSummer]

We always stay at the back of the house where the kitchen, back room and conservatory are. We never sit in the front room so our blinds in that room are always shut. Stop being nosey. And my 5 year old still cries when he gets frustrated, tired or hungry so well done for raising perfect children who don’t ever cry .

[Aeroflotgirl]

Sometimes I have to really raise my voice to lion mode, to get ds to respond and to see what he has done wrong. Everything is a joke and funny. Sometimes he does unsafe things, like plugs random electrical items I thought I have hidden into plug sockets, which are dangerous. Or think its funny to get lost at the shops.

[Adelina15]

They were a married couple (in their 30s), no kids though.

[Aeroflotgirl]

However that is not the issue, what is it that you are concerned about! Her shouting, and the child crying. That could easily be my house over the Summer holidays, my dd 10 has ASD and learning difficulties, and my ds 5 and pushes buttons and boundaries often. Like emptying pasta all over my floor and laughing. Or winding is sister up and causing her a meltdown. That behaviour in itself, I don't think its concerning, or most parents would be reported to SS.

[picklemepopcorn]

What culture, OP? My neighbour from an African country whose name I can’t remember always keeps hers shut. I assumed it was a habit from keeping out strong sun.

[Adelina15]

I gave a colleague a lift to work for 2 years, the curtains/blinds were never drawn and I never gave it a second thought. One morning, in a total emergency I went to the door and asked to use the toilet- inside the house was floor to roof clutter and hoarding. It was a really sad sight and embarassing for both of us. I genuinely never suspected this at all.