To wonder how to reply, or respond at all?

[Rosebel]

Today was nice weather so decided to tidy the garden up. My husband and daughter's came out a bit later and we all pitched in. Since it's a minor miracle to get my eldest outside I suggested a picnic lunch in the garden. After they played with water shooter and came inside around 3.
Noticed a note through our door later. It was from our next door neighbour asking if we could not spend so long in the garden as his children couldn't go out and also to be more quiet.
Am I right in thinking he's a tool as the children could have been out in the garden at the same time and yet he came right up to our door? His children are often out in the garden and noisy but I'd never complain. I didn't even think we were being noisy.
He's not working from home either so can't believe we were disturbing him.
So was I unreasonable to be out in the garden for about 3 hours? Would you even bother to respond to the note? I want to ignore it but my husband said we should apologize to keep the peace. Is,there a time limit to be in your own garden (didn't even think of that earlier)?

He sounds an absolute tosser. We have been in our gardens from morning til night since lockdown- literally coffee and breakfast in the garden, not coming in the house til kids bedtime. The weathers been beautiful it’s one of life’s few pleasures at the moment!
Enjoy your garden and ignore him.

He’s definitely a ridiculous tool. Personally I’d ignore. Or post his note back to him with “why are men?” scrawled across it.

I'd write back something like" Sorry NDN I think I'm misunderstanding your note. It almost sounds as though you're saying my children can't play in their own garden, but I know you wouldn't be that daft. I'm happy for your DCs to play in their garden at the same time mine are in ours (no need for rotas) and I'll try to make sure mine aren't louder than yours. Enjoy the Easter sunshine!"

My note would be as follows;

Hi!

Sorry, I’m not sure if I’ve understood your note?

Both our children and your children are perfectly safe and entitled to be in their own gardens at the same time.

I shall, of course, continue to endeavour to ensure my children are no louder than yours when outside.

Hope that helps.

Regards.

He’s posed more of a risk by posting a note, surely. What a nob he is.

I'd love to know where people live where that sort of behaviour is acceptable; posting a note to a neighbour round here, esp a twattish one like that, would literally result in a punch up.

I wouldn't respond. Just carry on enjoying your garden with your family. Do not let this neighbour dictate to you!

ignore

What a twat badger! I wouldn't even bother replying. I assume it isn't a communal garden. Therefore you are fully entitled to be out there as long as you bloody well want to. What a tool.

Ignore. All the kids are out in their gardens all day here. A ball comes over the fence into our garden at least twice a day and my biggest worry is putting gloves on to throw it back over. And when I say biggest I'm being sarcastic, in reality it's bloody minimal. If I don't throw it back the mother comes round with the kids to post a note through the door. What would he do in that situation? Flamethrower? Dude needs to get a fucking grip sharpish.

I would just ignore.
He's clearly bonkers.

However, if you feel you need to reply, I like what @CoffeeRunner suggested.

He’s an idiot. Ignore him.

I'd send the note Coffeerunner wrote. He prob thinks it's airborne. Lost count of people stating that in YouTube comments on decor bloggers 'how I'm coping with isolation' videos. It's those who don't watch the news or inform themselves on hygiene & transmission prevention when you reply to their ludicrous 'advice'.

Suggest he stays 1m.away from the fence and You will ensure that your family does the same

Dear neighbour,
I had not realised you wanted to use my garden.
I do not agree to this , use your own garden.
Will wave next time me see you.

Coffeerunner’s words get my vote

Vote for @CoffeeRunner

What a nob. Definitely don't apologise he'll complain faster next time.

I'd add a "please don't put notes through my door, it's a transmission hazard"

wineislifex it’s definitely not defiantly, although maybe OP needs to be defiant & tell the neighbour that her kids can stay in their own garden for as long as they like!