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AIBU?

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Screaming child visiting during lockdown...

128 replies

lamppost1 · 17/04/2020 12:24

We have new next door neighbours and they have a balcony that overlooks the garden. Over the last couple of weeks, another couple with a small child visit their garden for 1-3 hours a day. Our neighbour sits on the balcony and chats to the visitors whilst they use the garden/paddling pool.

Their kid screams constantly. The parents chase the kid to make it scream, and do absolutely nothing to stop it screaming... they almost encourage it.

My two issues:

  1. I assume this is against lockdown rules? But if they are coming from a flat and/or have no outside space, I do understand why they'd do this. Especially when the weather is nice.
However....
  1. The screaming is driving me mad. I have a 7 month old DD and it's waking her up from naps and I can hear it inside with windows /doors closed... it's relentless and not limited to warm days, they come nearly every day. I don't Kline shouting/laughing etc.. all kids make noise, but the screaming constantly is horrendous!

I'm not confrontational and if I didn't have a child, I'd probably just turn they tv/radio up and ignore it. But lockdown is hard enough without an overtired baby!

AIBU to find this pretty unacceptable...? Tbh I'm such a wimp I'd probably never say anything, but need to vent!

OP posts:
OnlyaMan · 23/04/2020 22:15

There was a similar issue on the "Jeremy Vine" Radio 2 show a year or two ago. The screaming child was Autistic.
Jeremy Vine (and most of the people who communicated with him) were VERY VERY unsympathetic with the neighbours.

CCaK · 23/04/2020 22:19

I'd put an anonymous note through their door saying I'm aware they're breaking lockdown, and if the screaming child continues disturbing your peace every day you'll call 101.

tiktokchild · 24/04/2020 08:34

I hadn't considered the child being autistic or have any underlying conditions... I'm not really sure how to tell the difference between that and a screaming child being egged on by it's parents... but it's enough to make me worried about saying anything.
If i reported them anonymously they would know it's me due to the layout of the house, it's only our house that can see into their garden and vice versa.

I think I'll just have to put up with it and try to manage with my DD as best I can. Maybe she'll start getting used to it and be able to sleep through it soon (for my sanity I hope so!)

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