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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To despair of new neighbours' shrieking children?

340 replies

saraclara · 17/04/2021 19:08

It's been a glorious afternoon, but I've had to spend it indoors, and even with my doors closed I can hear them. I don't know how they can shriek for this long without having really sore throats. It's not ordinary play shouting, it's just pointless daft shrieking as far as I can tell. They've been out there for at least four hours. There was a break for about 20 minutes, then it started up again. I'm guessing from the tone of the shrieks that they're about 7-9 years old?

There's nothing I can do about it, is there? This is it for the spring and summer.

I could weep.

OP posts:
Original poster
saraclara · 17/04/2021 22:54

@FeedMeLotsOfCake

Some families are rough families. Mind, most people who live next to them and complain about them are also rough - they just don't realise it.

Or have they moved in next door to your 5 bed detached?

I'm sure that made sense to you when you typed it.
OP posts:
DaphneHastings · 17/04/2021 23:00

I’d poke my head over the fence and say very loudly but pleasantly, ‘hi what are you doing?...

If my neighbour poked their head over my fence and asked my children what they were doing I would think they were rude and strange. I would never poke my head over my neighbours garden. Nor would I speak to their children (unless I knew them) when they werent around. I would advise you just go knock and have a word with the parents about noise levels.

GreyhoundG1rl · 17/04/2021 23:04

@DaphneHastings

I’d poke my head over the fence and say very loudly but pleasantly, ‘hi what are you doing?...

If my neighbour poked their head over my fence and asked my children what they were doing I would think they were rude and strange. I would never poke my head over my neighbours garden. Nor would I speak to their children (unless I knew them) when they werent around. I would advise you just go knock and have a word with the parents about noise levels.

If my neighbours allowed their children to scream solidly for hours at a time I'd think they were rude and strange. In fact I'd think they were real arseholes and their opinion of me wouldn't be a particular concern.
TheCanyon · 17/04/2021 23:07

I have 4 dc and a puppy, they don't continuously shriek or bark outside or inside even cause it's fucking annoying to nevermind the neighbours.

StardewMelons · 17/04/2021 23:14

I don't understand the parents of children who allow their children to scream and make over the top noise all day... Not only because its just inconsiderate, but it'd drive me mental myself! Not the childrens fault, but don't envy been next door to it, especially in the summer!..Though my neighbour LOUDLY phlems in his garden daily and puts me off my food.. not sure which is worse Lol

k1233 · 17/04/2021 23:15

It's a reflection of todays "me" society. I remember as a 3yo being very strictly told not to make noise when we visited grandma in town. We could play but not squeal. A 3yo can follow that direction. Parents allowing children to screech interminably are just raising children with no consideration for others. The parents obviously don't have any.

I remember mid winter kids next door had friends over. Kids were about 9-12 years old. No issue with them playing in the yard, kids play. They decided to get in the pool. Cue shrieking. I'm tolerant but after 30 mins of shrieking because the water was freezing, with nothing said by the parents, I lost it. Now, I've got horses and am quite practised at calling them over from the far side of a 20 acre paddock. I also use tone of voice to control my animals. So, in my best paddock covering, you are behaving inappropriately voice, I yell out "can you shut up". Cue Disney moment where there is not a peep in the entire neighbourhood. Not a bird, not a cricket, not a dog to be heard.

Outcome, children ceased shrieking and resumed playing at acceptable noise levels. Parents didn't crack the shits - they definitely heard me. It was the only time in the 6 years we were neighbours that something like that happened.

Another123 · 17/04/2021 23:21

I have the same issue, shrieky child and bellowing father. They are in their garden all day every day and I can hear them inside my house with the windows and doors shut.

I am praying that as lockdown eases they go elsewhere occasionally so we can enjoy some peace and quiet!

JamieFrasersAuntie · 17/04/2021 23:26

My neighbours kids and their friends have actual screaming competitions in the garden.For hours.

Last year they were given some of those cans that sound like a horn like what people have at football matches.

The90swereadecadeago · 17/04/2021 23:27

OP I could have written this. I’ve noticed that children just seem to scream when playing these days, sounds like they’re being murdered and I don’t know why they do it?

getyourfreakon · 17/04/2021 23:34

Tbh I feel like this with my neighbours. The kids at the bottom of the garden do shriek but an adult usually tells them to stop if it's continuous. Neighbours on the left side are all adults, constantly in the garden day and night. (I can hear them talking clearly every time I go for a wee due to where our bathroom is) and like to shout and make loud noises when they're stood not 3 inches away from each other outside. I want to pop my head over the fence and ask "Is there a reason you're shouting?". Neighbours one house over has a woman who cackles. And I do mean, throw your head back and make a noise I couldn't muster if I tried. It's like "AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAAAAA!" I wish I found anything as funny as she seems to.

noblegreenk · 17/04/2021 23:34

I feel your pain! I can only tolerate my own daughter's shrieking because I love her. I can't stand it from other peoples children.

DontBeRidiculous · 17/04/2021 23:45

We were always told to be quiet, if we ever started shrieking. We managed to have fun and get plenty of exercise and sunshine, despite the hardship of not being allowed to scream and disturb everyone in our vicinity.

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 17/04/2021 23:54

You could always sit in the garden with some earphones in. I have young children so I think the sound of children is just totally natural and normal to me, I barely even notice it.

EmeraldShamrock · 17/04/2021 23:58

I don't hear these shrieking DC my home back's on the green. I heard plenty of laughter while groups played tag and football.
They've been locked up 12 months.
Most DC are sweet only on mumsnet is every DC an ill-mannered shrieking brat.

EKGEMS · 18/04/2021 00:07

I had a child screech so loud adjacent to me in an aisle at Target that I jumped almost out of my skin (several years back) I didn't say anything I just moved away quickly and his bitch mother took my behavior as judgement on her and her offspring and followed me around the store verbally abusing me. I honestly would be afraid to speak to their parents if I were you judging by my horrible experience with her

Marilla27 · 18/04/2021 00:15

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Original poster
saraclara · 18/04/2021 00:20

@EmeraldShamrock

I don't hear these shrieking DC my home back's on the green. I heard plenty of laughter while groups played tag and football. They've been locked up 12 months. Most DC are sweet only on mumsnet is every DC an ill-mannered shrieking brat.
Where have I, or anyone else, said that every child is a shrieking brat?

This is the first time in my life that I've had shrieking child neighbours. Until now I've just had normal playing sounds and laughter (and the occasional tears) as background garden noise, not piercing shrieking for five hours.

OP posts:
imalmostthere · 18/04/2021 00:29

@Magnificentmug12

Because that’s what kids do! You don’t have more of a right than they do. Why can you not be considerate that they have been in lockdown for a year with nothing to do? Or is it just your wants that are important?

If you want silence buy a house with a garden that is not near neighbours!

This, 100%.
RevolvingPivot · 18/04/2021 00:30

The op isn't complaining about kids playing and having fun. It's the pointless screaming.

I've had it all day. It's not needed. Mine me shout (call out to each other if ones sat in the kitchen) (9 and 11) but don't scream. I tell them to shut up. No one wants to hear it. Why don't the parents tell them to be quiet. Seriously today it sounded like a kid was being attacked.

Blueberrymuffin40 · 18/04/2021 00:32

@ZeroFuchsGiven

I dont like kids, I just about tolerate my own but I could not get worked up about kids playing in their own garden on a sunny day.
Grin 100% with you.

Kids by me keep screaming I mean seriously WHY!!!!! What is the point

GreyhoundG1rl · 18/04/2021 00:34

Because that’s what kids do!
You've been told repeatedly that not all kids do. If yours do, and you just shrug your shoulders you are the bloody problem.

Original poster
saraclara · 18/04/2021 00:36

@imalmosttherema, it's not what (most) kids do. Kids have had access to their gardens for the last 12 months so I'm not sure what that's got to do with anything.

And I'm not looking for silence. I'm looking for normal 'children playing' sounds and behaviour. Have you even read my posts?

OP posts:
Blueberrymuffin40 · 18/04/2021 00:40

This ^^

Blueberrymuffin40 · 18/04/2021 00:42

@DontBeRidiculous

We were always told to be quiet, if we ever started shrieking. We managed to have fun and get plenty of exercise and sunshine, despite the hardship of not being allowed to scream and disturb everyone in our vicinity.
Try again. This ^
Stroller15 · 18/04/2021 00:44

My DCs are going through a screeching, shrieking phase. It drives me absolutely nuts, the noise feels like it's piercing my sanity, why even make that sound? I am constantly telling them not to do it and definitely under no circumstances outside. You have my sincerest sympathies OP, I would probably talk to the parents if this went on for much longer.