To want to knock her lights out?

[AngryMumOfTwo]

Hi,

I've nc'ed to be anon with this.

I'm quite upset because this note was stuck to our door overnight.

A bit of background. We've moved into this privately rented flat about 4 years ago, when our daughter was only 1. She is now 5. We have just had our second (and last) over Christmas. Like all newborns, she cries at night sometimes. She isn't too bad to be honest, at least we didn't think she was. Our oldest did cry a lot.

We get along with most people who live here. We're generally quiet and private as is all the other residents. Over 50% of them are elderly, though this isn't a retirement block of flats. We're the youngest, but there are others not much older then us.

We don't know who left the note. It is obviously unsigned. We have our suspicions but that's all. If they had knocked on the door and spoken to us, that wouldn't be a problem.

For their own sake, they better hope I don't find out who it is. I'm furious. It's horrid. The residents we've spoken to over the last few days have said how lovely she is but no noise complaints. Our immediate neighbours and the lady directly below are nice people so I don't think it's them.

I'm not sure what else I can really do about this. I had to vent my anger somewhere, sorry. My partner is angry but also found it amusing.

@LethargicActress

That is a very nasty way of letting you know that your family is disturbing other people, but your aggressive reaction is OTT. I’d give this person the benefit of the doubt and try to reason that they probably wrote this note after a night of disturbances when they were feeling particularly angry. No one wants to be woken up by other people’s crying children.

What are you on?

The note was horrid. The OP cannot put sellotape over their baby's mouth.

@DropYourSword

I’d be tempted to photocopy the note so there was a copy for each resident, then write on it,

I have loved here 5 years. I am most disappointed to discover this anonymous note has been posted to me from someone I have been neighbours with for years. If you didn’t send this to me, please accept this as a heads up that this is deemed acceptable by someone who lives here. If you did send me this, I say with the upmost respect...go fuck yourself.

Perfectly worded

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Apparently noise affects those above you (I saw a diagram a while back that shows how noise bounces around a room and most of it ends up travelling up)

Do you have anyone directly above you?

You're assuming that the note was written by the person most affected by noise, which I think is unlikely.

This note is pure trolling. And I agree the wording sounds juvenile, not that of an older person. They're looking to get a rise out of the OP

Personally, I would favour the: 'leave the note there in place' response. Nothing added, nothing taken away, just as you found it.

Let everyone see it. Let everyone judge the writer. Let the writer see it, unmoved from it's location, and never be sure what kind of reaction you had - or even if you've noticed it at all (though you couldn't not have).

That's horrendous. No wonder why you're upset.

I'd find out who it was eventually. I always find out. They'd have worse coming to them.

Another one voting for "this is the handwriting of a young person".

My sister who is in her early twenties has this type of handwriting, that kind of unnatural, strained cursive that comes with spending a lot of time on electronic devices in their formative years.

I'd carry on letting the baby cry at night, and I'd also do my hoovering and washing from 5am. If they have any problem with it then they can knock and show their faces.

I'm sorry you saw that OP x

Oh absolutely, don't take it down! Get a frame for it!

That is a horrible note. It's so horrible, I'd go to the police. Photocopy it and ask a couple of neighbours if they recognise the handwriting.

I have lived next door to two elderly sisters whose dog barks incessantly and I've put up with it for 8 years. At least a baby grows up!

What would they suggest you do!?!?

Photocopy and deliver to all homes in the block, and add a note to say if the cowardly author would like to come and discuss with you, you'll be all ears

@Mamamia7962

Agree with other posters that the note has been written by a young person. Not very well educated either.

Older people have a certain handwriting style because of how they were taught to write.

I would ignore it. It's obviously someone who wants to create trouble and drama between the younger and older tenants.

Regarding the handwriting style of 'older people'. You might be right that people now in their 80s and over were taught to write in a particular cursive style. I'm in my mid 60s and went to three different Primary Schools and was taught 3 different handwriting styles so my style isn't so easily identified. I think you'll find there is more variety in handwriting styles of people of 60 but under 80.

I agree that this is probably the writing of a teenager, though.

I’d leave it there - take the higher ground. Definitely don’t send a note round saying to go fuck yourself! You are just playing into their hands if you do that.

@FudgeOff

Personally, I would favour the: 'leave the note there in place' response. Nothing added, nothing taken away, just as you found it.

Let everyone see it. Let everyone judge the writer. Let the writer see it, unmoved from it's location, and never be sure what kind of reaction you had - or even if you've noticed it at all (though you couldn't not have).

Good idea. As though you cannot even dignify it by acknowledging that it was put there.

@CloseYourEyesAndSee

Fuck me I read your post before the note and was prepared to be open minded but that's vile

Ditto. I'm an impatient, child free person but this note is disgusting.

If you don't want to be woken up by other peoples kids crying, dogs barking, cats wailing, putting bins out, starting up cars then move to a detached house in the middle of nowhere. Otherwise put up and shut up like the rest of us do. Babies cry, you are attempting to soothe your child no doubt so they will just have to deal. I felt angry after reading that too. If you have a shared notice board I'd attach it there with your response! Yanbu.

I'm sure whoever put it there bad-mouthed you to other residents in the block, so they'll recognise the terminology 'breed'.
If you leave it up, the other residents will know who sent it to you.

Even if a baby crying is not what you want to hear at 3am it's a part of life. Sending horrible anonymous letters though........... that is not.

For their own sake, they better hope I don't find out who it is

............ I'd be careful with older folk. My next door neighbour is a lovely guy. Immaculate garden and always free with a wave and a friendly chat and yet he did a "10 year stretch" in Parkhurst for GBH. The local yobbery steer clear of his house and car.

@CaMePlaitPas

Another one voting for "this is the handwriting of a young person".

My sister who is in her early twenties has this type of handwriting, that kind of unnatural, strained cursive that comes with spending a lot of time on electronic devices in their formative years.

I'd carry on letting the baby cry at night, and I'd also do my hoovering and washing from 5am. If they have any problem with it then they can knock and show their faces.

I'm sorry you saw that OP x

But that's unfair on all the perfectly nice neighbours who HAVEN'T left notes on her door. The OP shouldn't lower herself.

I’d probably knock on the neighbours doors and ask if they knew who the note was from. I wouldn’t be aggressive or anything but I would say to people to come and speak to me if there are issues with the noise from the children.

Alternatively the idea of a polite reply posted to all neighbours is nice. Most will think the original poster was an arse.

Maybe a ring doorbell might be useful

I would leave the note up on my door. With another note asking if anyone recognises the writing

@Keladrythesaviour

How appalling. No wonder you are upset. I'd put a note back on your door something along the lines of: "Dear kind Resident, Thank you for pointing out the baby cries at night, we hadn't noticed due to the ear defenders we wear. We can recommend a good set if you want some. Since you've now brought our attention to the matter, we'd love your advice (solicited this time) - what is your best suggestion? Our current thoughts are smothering with a towel, or perhaps a gag rope. Although that probably wouldn't stop the ability to write letters, thinking about it.

Kind regards
No16"

I am a sarcastic cow though. Make sure you leave the original letter up next to it for context.

This is a bloody brilliant response! The only change I would make is, if there is a public area, post both letters on a wall there - so that everyone can see what a nasty piece of work lives in their building.

Congratulations on your new addition OP. Try not to let the buggers get you down x

I'd put a copy in each door with a note "We try to comfort the baby to minimise crying, but we were all babies once and it is both natural and normal that babies cry from time to time. It is less usual for anonymous rude letters to be put in hallways, don't do that again. #16"

What soup dragon said.Shame the person that wrote that note. It's awful and I'm fairly sure that everyone else that lives there will think that too and be supportive.

If I got a note like this I’d be more inclined to let the baby ‘cry it out’ at night. I’d also make sure to put the washing machine on and do some hoovering, maybe move some heavy furniture about too ☺️

Horrible, vile and sad. I would be furious but I think your partner has the right attitude.
I think this is a man's handwriting. I also think that "breeding" is a grumpy old man phrase.