I have some new neighbours who've moved in (we live in a semi and they're in the adjoining house). I know I've been spoiled up until now as there was a lovely old lady living there, before she went to live with her daughter, and the house was empty for quite some time,so it's been really quiet. We're a pretty calm family, our household is generally peaceful, and I don't scream at my kids (17 and 13) because I don't need to. I struggle with my mental health from time to time due to an abusive ex husband. We had the garden improved over lockdown and I've created a lovely space for us to relax in. My 17yo struggles with anxiety and it's a great space for her to sit and read and calm her mind.
So, this new family moved in over Xmas. They have 4 boys aged around 5-11. I don't mind the typical boys' noise, although rowdy, its their house and that's fine. But the mum is constantly screaming at them - from really early in the mornings (waking us up) to late at night, she's yelling and shouting. During the recent storms, she locked one of the kids outside the house. The youngest child cries incessantly. The older kids cry a lot too. I'm sure the parents get physically violent too, but can't be sure. But it sounds awful When they're at school the parents argue a lot. I honestly feel really sad for these boys as it sounds like a very toxic household to grow up in.
On the weekends and school holidays, the boys play football in the back garden, but kick the adjoining fences with so much force, so it's a constant banging that I can hear from indoors. I get balls flying in at quite some force and they've damaged a few bits in my garden. My garden used to be my haven, now I'm worried that when the weather picks up I won't be able to sit out there because of the noise, but quite frankly I don't want to be hit by a football. I've also had shoes come flying in. If they know I'm outside they'll climb up the (6-7ft high) fence and ask me to throw their ball back over, or jump on their trampoline to look over the fence. So all my peace and privacy in my garden is lost. There's a grassy area very close by on the street where local boys play football, I gently mentioned that they could play there so they don't need to worry about losing their footballs, but they didn't really listen.
The constant arguing and shouting really overwhelms my daughter - my ex husband was mentally abusive so hearing this kind of screaming triggers something in her.
Besides moving house I really don't know what to do. We've spent a lot on this house and it's the perfect location for us. House prices around here have gone crazy high so moving isn't really an option right now.
AIBU? Should I just leave them be?