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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour's toddler waking entire street up

306 replies

Myheadhurtsintheheat · 27/07/2018 09:04

I've NC'd for this as it might be outing.

Our NDN has an 22-month-old DC who doesn't talk much but squawks like a parrot at top volume. I swear this is no exaggeration - it's the most bizarre noise. From what we can tell, toddler's parents never encourage him not to make the noise - they just let him squawk. I think they're from the "be expressive" school of thought.

My AIBU is that they're bringing him out into their back garden at 6.30am when he's up and he's squawking everyone awake, including my DC, whose room is at the back too. I get that it's very hot and really hard for kids to sleep at the moment, but isn't it incredibly selfish to inflict that noise on everyone else if you're not going to try to teach the child to moderate it when appropriate? Or am I just being a grumpy old moaner?

And if INBU, should I say something?

OP posts:
backinthatdress · 27/07/2018 10:26

SlartiAardvark i have already said 6.30 is to early!! but yes at some point in the day my childs needs will come first over a fully functioning adult.

Gileswithachainsaw · 27/07/2018 10:26

This isn't a thread about a person with sn though

Different noises are normal for kids to make. Dd2 spent months being a dog.

But I never let her bark out in the garden at half 6

SlartiAardvark · 27/07/2018 10:27

This isn't a thread about a person with sn though

That's never stopped it being used as an excuse though....

IDontEatFriedTurtle · 27/07/2018 10:27

I think 8 am for outdoors is fair. Can't do anything about the way the poor child sounds though!

backinthatdress · 27/07/2018 10:28

Gileswithachainsaw - you dont actually know that the child doesnt have sen!
and i was referring to you blanket statement that there is never a need to screech and squak when sometimes for people there is!

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 27/07/2018 10:29

Hereshopingforimprovement so you recognise that very early repetitive loud noises are annoying and to be complained about, but when it’s a child then it suddenly becomes ok?!

Sure. The parent could keep the child inside to read a book, play a game or have a bath, or take them for a walk or a drive but they don’t, they take them in the garden from 630am. It’s unreasonable even if the child has special needs. There are other ways to entertain a child that don’t involve the entire street.

I’m with you OP I’d have to stick a note through the door or knock if we knew them and ask them to please not play outdoors so early.

backinthatdress · 27/07/2018 10:29

SlartiAardvark - sen isnt an excuse its a disability

formerbabe · 27/07/2018 10:31

Thank god I don't live next to you, formerbabe. I pity those who do

Brilliant! You know nothing about me, but righto! My dc are older and wouldn't get up at 6.30am anyway! We are actually pretty quiet...there are toddlers living in the houses in my immediate vicinity. I couldn't care less if they make noise.

Hereshopingforimprovement · 27/07/2018 10:32

Actually what I am saying is there is no comparison volume wise. There are laws regarding loud noise at certain times of day i.e parties or building work but they cover excessive noise, not a child in a garden.

formerbabe · 27/07/2018 10:32

when even your good buddy "The Law" says that noise should be kept to a minimum before 07:00?

What sort of noise? Genuine question.

Original poster
Myheadhurtsintheheat · 27/07/2018 10:36

Brilliant! You know nothing about me, but righto!

I know enough from reading your posts that you don't care if your DC's behaviour negatively impacts on others.

OP posts:
JacquesHammer · 27/07/2018 10:39

What sort of noise? Genuine question

So the premise is that for the noise to count as a nuisance it must unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises.

That can and does include "household noise at an inappropriate volume at any time"

LakieLady · 27/07/2018 10:40

YANBU, 6.30 is way too early.

That goes for my neighbour who lets his chicken out at 6.00 am for a good squawk. If the hedge wasn't so high, the clucky fucker would be in my oven by now.

formerbabe · 27/07/2018 10:41

I know enough from reading your posts that you don't care if your DC's behaviour negatively impacts on others

No you really don't. I teach my DC to be polite and considerate. I'm not saying, I'd allow a toddler outside at 6.30 am...what I am saying is that if someone did that, I wouldn't complain. Other parents do plenty of things I don't agree or wouldn't do myself but it doesn't necessarily give me a right to complain.

formerbabe · 27/07/2018 10:43

That can and does include "household noise at an inappropriate volume at any time"

Well I have read that councils will not do anything about the noise of crying babies... would the ops situation be classed as such?

'household noise' is actually a rather vague term.

rainbowstardrops · 27/07/2018 10:45

The bottom line is, it's totally selfish and inconsiderate to allow a child outside at 6.30am to make a ridiculous amount of noise. End of.
Be a decent person and entertain them indoors. Or walk them to the park etc.
Not squawking at the crack of dawn in the garden!

RadicalFern · 27/07/2018 10:46

A noise becomes something breaking the law if causing a stautory nuisance (a disturbance that interferes significantly with one’s ability to enjoy one’s home, or damages one’s health).

If something is routinely waking up neighbours before 7am (noisy DIY, barking dog, loud music), then it is likely to count as a statutory nuisance.

JacquesHammer · 27/07/2018 10:47

Well I have read that councils will not do anything about the noise of crying babies... would the ops situation be classed as such?

Well you know it is household noise.

Household noise isn't particularly a vague term when you are dealing with it - covers any noise that can be reasonably expected to be made in a residential property.

So washing machine going - perfectly fine
Washing machine going all night and causing disruption - not fine.

Basically it all centres around quiet enjoyment of one's property; which of course is a slight misnomer as it isn't really about "enjoyment" but the right to be not adversely affected long term by noise.

Realistically the best course of action is to try and deal with it amicably with the neighbours. BUT if it becomes untenable then yes, there is recourse there.

formerbabe · 27/07/2018 10:48

If something is routinely waking up neighbours before 7am (noisy DIY, barking dog, loud music), then it is likely to count as a statutory nuisance

Ok, well what about babies/children?

RestingBitchFaced · 27/07/2018 10:49

Just call round and have a quiet word, would they mind keeping him in until a more reasonable time, as they are waking you all up.

Gileswithachainsaw · 27/07/2018 10:51

I'm not sure people would complain abiut a baby crying. There's not alot that can be done unless it's actively being neglected amd/or ignored.

Our neighbours used to have children they minded arrive around 645 who would then run around the garden makimg a racket.people rightfully complained. Not for the early drop off. Or the car or the quiet "handover chat " Parents needed to work . Fair enough but the kids didn't need to make so much noise at drop off

formerbabe · 27/07/2018 10:51

JacquesHammer

So let's say a newborn baby is crying at night and waking the neighbours up? Do you think the council will do anything if the neighbours who have been woken up complain to them?

Guest2025 · 27/07/2018 10:55

It's not about a baby crying though, it's about a child who's being taken outside with an adult who is pretty much encouraging the freedom to make as much noise as the child wants. The adult needs to take responsibility for that, it's not on!

JacquesHammer · 27/07/2018 10:58

So let's say a newborn baby is crying at night and waking the neighbours up? Do you think the council will do anything if the neighbours who have been woken up complain to them?

Golly are we really going to do all these strawman based situations?

In the situation of this mythical crying baby it would depend on the level and frequency of the noise. A baby waking and crying is usually "normal household noise". However iin very extreme cases then yes, there is the possibility of a council getting involved to make suggestions.

That's all completely moot though as doesn't have any bearing on the OP whatsoever

Ok, well what about babies/children?

And yes. That is covered by the "normal household noise" bit.

formerbabe · 27/07/2018 11:00

And yes. That is covered by the "normal household noise" bit

A quick google brings up that councils cannot deal with noise from babies crying or children playing. So, no it isn't included in normal household noise from what I can see.