Neighbour’s children being loud

[IzzieStevens]

I work from home, in my living room to be precise. With the gorgeous weather we’ve had for the past week, I’ve had my windows open for air.

I live at the end of a cul de sac and everyday at 3.30pm like clockwork, a group of 5 kids turn up to play with the children who live on the house opposite me. Which would be lovely if they weren’t so loud - shouting, screaming, kicking balls around etc. They play in the road so it’s right outside my house.

Is it unreasonable of me to ask their parents if they could keep the noise down during working hours, or play in the garden?

I’m fully prepared to be told I’m being unreasonable, I’m just at the end of my tether with them today.

I so feel for you. I’m looking to move and I’m avoiding all houses with a young family nearby. I know it sounds humbug, but the thought of never enjoying a nice sunny day in the garden without screaming and shouting all day is just too depressing

That’s the downside of wfh. It’s a residential area - you can’t expect residential noises to stop because you are using it as a workplace.

It’s no different to someone who works night shift having to accept wearing earplugs to sleep during the day if they need them, rather than expecting the street to fall silent.

Noise cancelling headphones should help.

@KingdomScrolls

It's a residential area, designed for family living not a business district. Close your windows, get a fan, go and work somewhere else or just ignore the noise, use headphones etc. It's quite reasonable for children to play outside of their home after school.

Totally agree with this. Children have been stuck at home for a year, let them have a life!

If it was 3am I’d agree with you, but it’s not so I don’t.

So you’ve got until 8.30pm-3.30pm the next day to work in your living room in silence, but you want to complain about the children playing outside every early evening after school? Yabvvu

Noise cancelling headphones.
Many on the spectrum find it’s the only way to cope with everyday noise.

Yes, sorry YABU. I’m WFH too. My neighbour’s kids play out in all weathers. They’re having fun though, and it’s their home. I wouldn’t dream of asking them to be quiet so I can work. Can’t wait to get back to the office!

Unreasonable I'm afraid. Just part and parcel of working at home in a residential area. Can you shift your working hours so you start and finish earlier so it affects you less?

Playing, yes. Hours of shrieking and screaming, no. Trouble is one generation of selfish fuckers has bred another. Just look at the mess outside any school or in any park.

Totally unreasonable I'm afraid.

It's the downside to working from home but children need fresh air and exercise.

It's just normal noise. Don't make it a thing.

Rent out a office to work in, doubt you will find many families there with kids.

Or maybe sound proof windows?

I cam understand your frustration but it's the first lot of decent weather we've had. Let them be kids as long as not causing trouble.
My ndn wfh. My kids are out all day most days. However their dcs are night owls and will run around till midnight, we're a semi so can hear the lot.
It doesn't bother me at all when they're running riot. And I doubt it bothers them when my kids Do outside.

It's not the kids at fault, nor is the op doing her best just trying to earn a living. It's hard Op and I sympathize. Wish I knew the answer. Won't be forever though.

I sympathise but agree that you've got to put up with it. Pray for rain?

Very unreasonable

Noise cancelling headphones are the answer. DH wears them for WFH and we can be as loud as we like.

Close your windows and buy a fan! I'd not be happy being told my children need to be quiet! Nothing better than the sound of laughter and children having fun. Id much rather them be out playing than stuck indoors on computers!

I don't get why people think it's unreasonable to ask then to keep it down until 5pm. If someone asked me to do this, I wouldn't get a cob on about it.

I can’t understand why they don’t play in back gardens. One of my neighbours let’s their children play out in the front garden and I don’t understand it. It annoys the rest of the street

Kids playing outside never usually bothers me. I have two younger ones myself, but next door has a daughter and friend in the garden and I have had to listen to their high pitch screaming since 3.30. I’m not taking about laughing and shouting it’s high pitch screaming. I would never allow mines to do this.

YABU

Honestly I'd just be glad you've not got real noise issues like major building works next door to contend with like some people have.
Do you actually expect the world around you to be quiet just because you're working from home? Summer holidays coming up, that'll be fun for you OP. You'd be met with a raised eyebrow if you asked my kids to stop playing outside their own home.

Same here @AngelDelightUk we live on a new build estate, it’s been built about 5 years. Every house has a back garden, every summer there are complaints on the residents FB group that kids are playing in the road, cycling down the middle of the roads, running out between cars (we all have driveways but some insist on parking on the pavement). Why they can’t play in gardens or in either of the parks 5-10 minutes away I’ve no idea. And why they have to scream like the Grim Reaper is approaching, I’ve also no idea.

@MaMaD1990

I don't get why people think it's unreasonable to ask then to keep it down until 5pm. If someone asked me to do this, I wouldn't get a cob on about it.

Because they want to play out after school?!

It's not that difficult to understand.

@MaMaD1990

I don't get why people think it's unreasonable to ask then to keep it down until 5pm. If someone asked me to do this, I wouldn't get a cob on about it.

Some kids have to be in at 5.30pm for dinner, then homework, bath, bed.

They need to blow off steam after a day at school.

That's life and has always been thus.