New neighbours children screaming outside my window constantly

[Headachewithtwosugars]

New neighbour must have moved in opposite me. We live in flats so no garden. Her two children are outside pretty much constantly. I’m half working in the office and the other half at home. I get in at 1.30pm and until around 8pm they are outside all day every day playing/shouting/screaming/making any loud noise that they can manage and I’ve had enough. My husband is the most patient person ever and it’s even annoying him.

I don’t even know what to think because they have every right to play outside… I don’t even know what the solution is. I’m not exaggerating, every 2 seconds one child or the other or both are screaming at the top of their lungs or trying to scare the other one. They are running around like wild animals and I am also slightly concerned about why they never seem to be in their home. Surely they would need to go in for dinner, homework, bath etc. the mum just lets them play out for hours. I’m sure one of the other neighbours next door to her will say something soon enough.

I don’t even know what can be done. Just really getting upset now as it feels like I have no chance to relax. It’s so loud that I couldn’t hear my TV last night. The sound of the washing machine wouldn’t even cover their noise. Has anyone been through this? We don’t share a landlord so I can’t ask him. They are opposite us in a separate building but we are raised up and they play on the landing running up and down. Like I said I know they have the right to play it’s just the loud screaming that’s annoying. I genuinely love children but these children are something else. Should I buy some ear plus, would they even help?

People don’t seem to have consideration for others nowadays. It’s all about themselves. Being caring towards is seen as a weakness sadly.

@FarmerRefuted

When you're dealing with people who are happy for their feral children to disturb others, you may find that standing there wringing your hands and asking if little Rebel and Maverick could play a bit quieter won't get you very far.

That's because they will see Frightened DoorMat appear in burning letters above OP's head and act accordingly.

rational and Reasonable. Fuck that. it won't get OP anywhere with them.

Oh shame…

Thats the issue really is that the parents don’t seem to care. I’ve not heard anyone calling the children inside or asking them to keep the noise down. If I had children, I would never let them behave in this way. Mainly because it would be disruptive to myself and to others. I remember when I grew up on an estate the neighbours would tell us off. We weren’t allowed to play near to certain neighbours houses, especially not with a ball. Other kids used to kick the ball at our metal fence and my parents would always ask them to stop and they would apologise and play elsewhere. I wouldn’t dare say anything out the window now even if I was polite. I have no idea what the parents are like. They might get very angry.

Open your door and tell them to stop screaming

Do this every time

And then, when you've done it so much you're bored with it, knock on neighbours door and ask her politely to ensure her children don't scream and run up and down on the landing

And then you'll have to take it from there if that doesn't work

Screaming and swearing isn't going to get anywhere either, it'll just escalate the situation and make it worse. Glad I don't live anywhere near you.

I've worked with children and speaking to them calmly but firmly yields far better results than shouting and foul language. "That's a great game you're playing but it's really noisy, I can hear it indoors. Can you think of any ways you could make it a bit quieter?" then, when they are quieter, popping back out to say "that's much better! Thank you for that". Worked for me when my neighbours children were being noisy.

I have say I agree with this poster sadly. The types of parents who allowed their children to run around the communal halls and stairs and scream and shout directly outside someone’s windows is not the type of parent who will do anything but tell you to Fo when you complain to them.

The children also likely would ignore a calm can you please be quiet. You try it first obviously but most of the time they only “respect” the types who would shout and swear everyone else is seen as a pushover.

Who cares if they "get angry!.

Get More Angry. Why are you allowing these people to walk all over your peace to the extent that you can't hear yourself have a conversation with your husband.

The Lunatics are Running the Asylum! And they can do that because they think they have cowed others. Don't be afeared -if they shout, shout louder, if they threaten to put your windows in, tell them they'llhave the broken glass shoved up their arse.

Go and stand between them and scream. Repeat until they get the message.

Total bollocks I'm afraid.

I did hear that somewhere (an embassy, perhaps?) played Barry Manilow songs to disperse a noisy crowd. Apparently it worked! Alternatively, try recordings of snarling dogs…

Feel your pain. We have two little shitbags who scream until TWO AM in the garden the most foul mouthed insults at each other. They are no older than 8!

I am afraid this is probably the case. If the parents are nowhere to be seen or heard… I’m actually getting a bit concerned as the kids look very young. If I politely say something to the kids, they might tell the parents that the lady across told them off. I don’t think it’s a good idea saying anything unless I want an argument coming my way. I don’t fancy that but I suppose I will see if it gets any worse.

But what's wrong with children playing outside like normal kids do. I can't believe people are suggesting they need to be silenced. How miserable

@Cherrytree77 wow I really feel for you. That’s so bad

It’s half term and they’ve just moved in. Wait to see if this in an actual issue before complaining. They are probably up to their eyeballs in unpacking boxes so no doubt have taken their eyes off the kids. Yes it might be a long term issue but it’s way too soon to judge. Let them settle and get back to school first.

I suppose it’s annoying even more because it’s alllll the time. It’s like they never go in the house. They are outside all day and all evening I’m guessing until their bedtime. No parents have been seen or heard. I haven’t seen any adults out of the window so I don’t know if they are even being checked on. Anyway… if I’m really NBU other neighbours will soon say something. So at least I know it’s probably not just me.

I’m guessing they are quite new as I never heard the noise until around 1 week ago. So they probably just moved in.

YANBU but they may be back at school next week plus it’s going to be dark and pissing it down by 4.30pm from next week.

"other neighbours will soon say something" - what if all the other neighbours are also waiting for other neighbours to say something? Nothing will ever be said, will it?

To be honest, the fact that it is non-stop with no apparent meal-breaks, and no evidence of an adult present - I'd be concerned. There must be an adult otherwise they wouldn't go in at bedtime; but if you never see one then there can't be much supervision, can there? What age are these unsupervised children?

"They are opposite us in a separate building but we are raised up and they play on the landing running up and down."
Struggling to imagine the physical set-up here. Is it like several blocks of deck-access flats facing onto each other?

I would also tell them to stop in no uncertain terms. Tell them to get away from your house and go and scream outside their own door. If the parents come round, tell them their kids are constantly screaming outside your home and you have had enough.

I have lived with neighbours kids noise and it's hellish. You get to dread them coming out. In out last home there was a group of about 10 neighbourhood kids and they would play on our wall, climb on the wall by the car and play on our drive. We spoke nicely to them and even their parents just asking if they could stay off our property. Nothing against children playing out at all my own ds had a great childhood playing out on our street with his friends. I always said to him don't annoy other people or go on their property. All you can really do is speak to the kids and if that fails approach the mother - if she's approachable.

Hosepipe, boiling oil or melted lead.

Screaming isn't playing. I bet your neighbours love you.

My NDN - adult man and one child - spend all day running around screaming/squealing. He positively encourages it. I can't sit outside in the summer and can hear it over any tv programme. There's nothing worse than being unable to relax in your own home.