About kids stil 'playing out' at this time?

[VelvetSpoon]

My neighbours kids (ages 2-10) are outside screaming shouting and generally making a racket. They've been out there since I got home at 6. If I'm lucky they might go in around 8. Though at weekends it's not uncommon for them to be out even later.

I cannot relax with the windows open as the noise they make is deafening. I've got the tv volume up high because at a normal volume I can't hear them.

AIBU to think primary age (and younger) kids should be indoors by now?! I know mine would have been. And as a child I was only allowed out until 6ish then it was indoors for dinner and bath. Am I hopelessly out of touch or are my neighbours a pita? (The parents sit indoors the whole time with the door shut btw- so they don't have to suffer the noise! and usually only come out to call the kids in at 8).

YANBU

Kids should be seen and not heard IMO. My DC aren't allowed to make any noise whatsoever when they're (rarely) allowed to play outside (before 4pm) lest they disturb any neighbours watching Emmerdale. It does make playing tag rather difficult.

Just close the windows and stop moaning. And you should probably think about moving - community style living doesn’t seem to suit your personality.

I let my my children play out until bed time, which was an hour ago. They have a rule outside in the garden that as soon as they start to argue, make each other cry or scream then they are straight back in the house. I don't want to listen to my children argue, I certainly don't expect the neighbours too. They learned very quickly that rubbish behaviour outside means they cannot play out.

Riding bikes/ scooters or skateboards up and down, kicking a football in the garden (not against a fence) playing games without the shrieking and yelling, all fine of course. I don't expect silence but I do think if they can be heard over 20ft away through a closed window they are making too much noise.

I should say we are a 5 min walk from about 200 acres of parkland and woodland. I appreciate they're too young to go alone but their parents could easily take them over there on their bikes (we used to do that when our DC were young) or whatever but they choose instead to leave them in the garden.

I've lived in much smaller houses than my current one and at much closer quarters. I've never know so much noise as this though.

I do plan to move but can't for at least 3 years. I can only hope my neighbours move before then. Or teach their kids to be quieter.

3yr in bed at 7 9yr bed at 8 no matter what the weather 3yr always in bed at 7 9yr 9.30 weekends and holidays

I should say we are a 5 min walk from about 200 acres of parkland and woodland

Sounds like a great place to walk to to chill out and get away from the kids - well done for solving your problem!

Children of 2-3 years old shouldn't be playing out without adult supervision no way.

I don’t think the children should be allowed to make excessive noise, their parents should be telll them to calm it down. How do you get on with your other neighbours?

I don't have any neighbours on the other side, that neighbour is now in a care home. I got on perfectly well with her, and my previous neighbours (predecessors of the noisy kids). I used to know a few other neighbours when we first moved in 16 years ago however several have moved since then.

@glassofredandapackofcrisps surely it's acceptable for a toddler to play in a back garden (which is presumably quite visible from inside the house) with older kids, without a parent necessarily being outside?

Whatever time their parents let them stay out until there's no excuse for screaming. I can't abide it. It's it's really spoiling your enjoyment of your evenings then consider speaking to the parents if possible? Or make a complaint to environmental health. Everyone should be able to enjoy the lovely evenings but not at the expense of others.
We have a family to the back of us whose kids are frequently out late (up to 10pm) screaming and shouting and making a dreadful racket. My 11 year old used to get really stressed by it as couldn't sleep.
I'm all for kids playing out and particularly letting them enjoy the lighter, warmer nights but ffs teach them some neighbourly respect and consideration.

I think you need to get over yourself a bit, they are children. Out til 8pm... whatever next?!
I think it sounds like you need to go and live somewhere remote...
If they were shouting at midnight I’d have more sympathy

Move house

Mine used to play in back garden with neighbours kids up till very late at night, especially in school holidays. I look back on those days with great joy, they had such fun.

If it's a bit noisy you don't have to sit in the back room by the doors/windows surely? Go into another room.

I can hear nothing from the garden with everything shut but I do often have the French doors open until late when it's hot.

Children aren't children for long. I like them to enjoy themselves and at least we knew where they were then!

My kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom are all at the back of the house where the noise is easily heard. Unfortunately next door have a very small garden so they are never much over 20ft away. Plus some of them will also be in the front- a lot of the shouting is the ones in the back shouting to those at the front. Hence the noise isn't entirely restricted to the back garden either.

It is quiet now thankfully. I should add I live on a road with a fair amount or through traffic, and a bus route. The sound of cars is not at all intrusive compared to this, it's a gentle him rather than the shrillness of shrieking and yelling.

YANBU

I can’t tolerate prolonged excessive noise, had a neighbour who would eat outside every night during summer getting louder and louder as evening went on (as she drank more wine), inevitably she would disturb my DC whilst asleep which would give me the rage. So inconsiderate.

I find it odd that kids as young as 2/3 are allowed to stay out late just because it’s summer and light outside, mine are in bed same time every night (7pm-7.30pm latest) regardless and start playing up and grouchy if they are not (also not early risers).

You can be a grump in peace now op 🙂

Beautiful summer evenings when you are a child are precious - just be glad they are enjoying themselves. They will remember this when they are adults and look back with joy.

I'm not grumpy at all, I just don't like ear splitting screaming and yelling.

I work ft. I'm out 5 days a week up to 12 hours a day. Home has always been my sanctuary. Once I come in and close the door I can relax. Except i cant relax with this noise (it has been escalating over the last couple of years, 5 years ago when there were only 2 DC next door it was bearable. But as they get older, more of them plus friends and it means they can be heard even with all the windows closed. It isnt relaxing at all having to turn up music or the tv to drown it out!

YANBU. The kids in my neighbourhood were still out until 9pm screeching. It drives me insane and I don’t care that it’s a lovely summers evening. It’s for everyone to enjoy. Not just a pack of primary aged children with no regard for others. If that makes me a miserable bitch so be it.

My children didn't play outside as we didn't get back from their CM until 6.30 or later. Hopefully they were outside playing at your CM's house! You obviously didn't have much interaction with your children in the week so no wonder you don't know how it works.

I didn't have much interaction with my kids in the week. Oh that's a nice dig at working parents. What an ignorant comment.

And fwiw I spent a lot more time with my children than my neighbours do with theirs given the kids are outside unsupervised from school finish time until 8pm or later.

God you're a proper fun sponge.

If the noise is excessive complain to the council.

But playing at 8pm isn’t an issue.