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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Screaming neighbours!

33 replies

WindFlower92 · 28/08/2019 20:28

So I'm probably being unreasonable here as it is summer and they're only kids, but I need mumsnet opinions here! Next door have two kids, about 3 and 4 I think. They play outside pretty much all day, which I think is lovely, especially as parents join in as well. Currently, however, they've been literally screaming while jumping into the pool for the last hour or so. For the last couple of weeks they've been loudly playing in the garden past 11 most nights. The first time I heard it it was the little girl, and it genuinely sounded like she was being abducted! I know the answer will be to talk fo them, but they don't seem to be the most reasonable of people; they have some sort of feud with the people opposite and stand in the street swearing at them, so not really people I want to get involved with! So firstly, AIBU to be annoyed by the noise at this time? And what are some creative solutions to dealing with it without having to shut the windows? :D

OP posts:

FairyDust92 · 28/08/2019 20:29

I'd be a bit annoyed past 9 with the noise. 11 takes the absolute piss!

KB197 · 28/08/2019 20:30

When I first started reading this I panicked thinking you could be my neighbour then I Reddit that they are still at it at 11pm, that’s crazy. My kids still go bed earlyish in the holidays (even though most of the kids around here are still out playing).

My kids can be really loud in the day and I get paranoid my neighbours hate us but we are always quiet at night time.

Evenings are getting darker sooner now so hopefully they will stfu for you 🤣

KB197 · 28/08/2019 20:30

Read not reddit

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 28/08/2019 20:33

I don't even think they go to school - I've been on maternity leave since April and they're pretty much around all the time! Aagh, currently they're counting down from 3 and then screaming over and over again!

OP posts:

gotmychocolateimgood · 28/08/2019 20:35

Screaming goes right through me. I cannot tolerate it. Really feel for you... Can you talk to them calmly about it?

burntthepasta · 28/08/2019 20:36

Well it's the nights are drawing in now, pitch black outside here and it's just gone 8:30 so that should stop them being outside surely?

NoSauce · 28/08/2019 20:38

Go and tell them that they’re annoying you and ask them to keep the noise down. I don’t think you’d be wrong to do that Op.

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 28/08/2019 20:40

We'll try talking to them, but surely if they're that reasonable they would be aware and keeping them quiet? It's dark here too, still no let up! Don't think they have too much of a bedtime routine!

OP posts:

Oly4 · 28/08/2019 20:42

Screaming kids at 11pm is annoying but I’d just cope and think it’s going to be winter soon and they will be inside! Young kids do scream unfortunately. Mine do, even though I keep reminding them not to!!

NoSauce · 28/08/2019 20:43

They might just the self absorbed sort that don’t realise their noise impacts on others? Hopefully they’ll be mortified and pipe down?!

KB197 · 28/08/2019 20:47

My kids are the noisiest. (My son does have additional needs) but I do try and keep them quiet (at least try anyway). It’s auire disrespectful for kids to be out so late making noise.

Moodyfoodie · 28/08/2019 20:49

I'd be calling social services if they're preschoolers and out past 11pm every single night!

Blurb54 · 28/08/2019 20:50

Buy one of those noise nuisance things that only kids can hear. Then every time they scream turn it on for 30 seconds. Build up to one minute if it doesn't stop them. Every time they scream. Train them out of it like you'd train a dog.

NoddyAndBessie · 28/08/2019 20:50

I saw the title and thought it was the two arseholes who have just spoiled my bath!

Blurb54 · 28/08/2019 20:51

Only if it's late or been going on for more than an hour.

Blurb54 · 28/08/2019 20:52

It doesn't sound like you'd be able to reason with the parents if they think it's ok to swear at their neighbours.

UrsulaPandress · 28/08/2019 20:54

They have a pool?

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 28/08/2019 20:58

I can't tag for some reason - love the dog training idea, and yes they have a pool! Still out there..I've got a baby who needs putting to bed but might try talking to them tomorrow if I'm brave enough!

OP posts:

mydogisthebest · 28/08/2019 21:04

Sounds like my neighbours. They have a girl of 5 and a boy of 9. The girl is really loud. I can often hear her when she is indoors and we are not in terraced houses.

Since Friday they have played in the garden from about 10am to around 8pm and she has literally screamed non stop and that is not an exaggeration. I don't know how she keeps it up to be honest. A couple of times she has screamed so loud I thought something had happened. When she is not screaming she is shrieking or shouting at the top of her voice.

The boy is nowhere near as bad but he also shouts all the time. Nothing is ever at normal level.

I have tried over the bank holiday weekend to sit in the garden but have given up each time after about a hour. Yesterday I got a splitting headache from her screaming.

The parents never say anything to her. No point in me saying anything because I tried last year and was told I was a misery and that I didn't understand that is the way children play because I don't have any!

Of course I don't expect them to be playing in silence but the noise level is ridiculous. If I sit at the front of the house with the doors and windows closed I can still hear her really loudly.

I don't accept that it is natural for little girls to shriek and scream. My siblings have 2 daughters each and they definitely didn't and I am pretty sure none of my friends' daughters did either.

I was actually really happy when it rained this afternoon and that put an end to the outside play. I could hear her when they went in but nowhere near as loud

Jellybeansincognito · 28/08/2019 21:09

I was about to post a similar post until I read this and thought nah, one is enough! (Our new neighbours young primary aged kids are up screaming and being silly past 1am most nights, at least until midnight every night).

Doing my head in-

I completely feel you!

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 28/08/2019 21:15

We might be neighbours!

OP posts:

Original poster

WindFlower92 · 28/08/2019 21:19

1am most nights?! Ridiculous..

OP posts:

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 28/08/2019 21:21

I wonder how loud they actually are, in decibels....

I had a look at the GovUk site about noise
www.gov.uk/guidance/noise-nuisances-how-councils-deal-with-complaints#noise-at-night-warning-notices
and they say

Permitted noise levels
The permitted noise level using A-weighted decibels (the unit environmental noise is usually measured in) is:
^34 dBA (decibels adjusted) if the underlying level of noise is no more than 24 dBA*
10 dBA above the underlying level of noise if this is more than 24 dBA

but what a dBA is or whether that applies to noise from the house next door I have no idea.

Sweetdreamer93 · 28/08/2019 21:41

We are all irritated by different things. For some people it’s fireworks, some bonfires, for others it’s screaming kids etc.
It is difficult to work out what is and isn’t acceptable but you are not wrong to feel irritated by it.
We are all a bit oblivious. Parents of these screaming kids will be complaining about weekend parties at some point.

I get irritated by small kids screaming but I don’t say anything as deep down I know it’s my intolerance.
To some degree we could all do with a bit of live and let live.

When a behaviour becomes a regular nuisance it is perhaps time to speak up.
The kids will be back at school soon it will be memory. A long term feud rarely goes away.

mydogisthebest · 28/08/2019 21:59

I can't wait for the neighbour's children to go back to school. I suppose in some ways I should be glad that the summer has on the whole been pretty shit weather wise or else they would have been outside every day.

I just wish people were more considerate. I have 2 dogs and thankfully they don't bark very often but when they do I tell them to stop. I should let them bark non stop all day and see if the neighbours say anything

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