My next door neighbour shouts at his DD

[UndertheCedartree]

My NDNs have an 18 month old. The dad absolutely bellows at her and smacks her. This has been going on around a year. I also hear him playing with her and singing to her and making her laugh.

I find it really distressing. And I try not to judge but I can't understand what she could be doing that's so bad at such a young age and so frequently. I hear him shouting every day. As soon as it starts I'm on edge, listening and hoping he won't smack her. I don't know what I can do other than wear ear defenders all the time?

You need to report this immediately to social care . This is not ok and she is defenceless .

I would definitely report this to someone, it is not normal behaviour. What is the mother doing while he is shouting and smacking her? This sounds horrendous.

I mean. If he's hitting an 18 month old then you absolutely need to report it immediately. Ear defenders won't muffle a conscience.

You are sure a baby is being smacked and haven't rung the police? Why the fuck not?

I don't believe that.

You want to wear ear defenders so you don't have to listen to a baby being abused?

What have you done about this during the year you've been listening?

If a person is hitting an 18mo so loudly you can hear it through a wall, you need to report that to Social Services or the NSPCC now, and I would say additionally report to the police in the moment it happens in future.

Hitting a baby? Ring social services! Christ.

Oh no! There's not a reason in the world to shout at and smack an 18 month old.
I've never reported anybody in my life. But I think I'd report this. More likely, I'd go round there and ask him what the hell he's doing smacking a baby, (which I've done when an old ndn was smacking his girlfriend and got her out of there) but I'm a hot head, so that's probably not the right thing to do in this situation.
Don't ignore it though. You have to do something.

My NDNs have an 18 month old. The dad absolutely bellows at her and smacks her. This has been going on around a year.

So he has been shouting and smacking her since she was 6 months old ??
And you have known this and done nothing??

You would seriously talk about ear defenders to ease your OWN distress in a situation where a baby is being assaulted? What is wrong with you? Call the police, obviously. Now.

You call SS now. Every time you hear it happen you immediately call the police on 999.

I find it very hard to believe that you can hear a baby being abused and your solution is to buy some ear defenders.

Not buying it. This post is twisted.

Now I appreciate all the previous posts who are - rightly - advocating for the child.
May I put another POV: being brought up in a home where shouting/berating/violence was normal. Therefore you would like to shut it out AND doesn't seem SO BAD because there are the good times. It's a low bar, but let's not berate the OP for not knowing how to handle the abuse they are hearing.

I can’t believe this is a legit post. I just can’t.

Report it.

Out of interest, if he was hitting and shouting at his wife, would you listen and do nothing? Call social services, it's an 18 month old child!!

Report it! Google mash and the name of your county and you’ll find the contact number.

It’s been going on for a year??!! So he’s been smacking a baby.

This needs to be reported to social care. Are you in England. Also if you are ever worried for her immediate safety then call the police.

Holy moly please report this!!! I’m so shocked you’ve let this go on for so long without reporting. My heart is breaking for that poor little girl.

I've reported about 3 times now to Children's services. I don't hear him smack her, I hear him saying he is going to and her crying. Sorry, I thought it was obvious I would have done that. Maybe I should phone the police, I always thought Children's services would be better considering it's not illegal to shout at and smack your child.

The point of my post was how do I cope with it. Considering I have my own children to look after. Of course my heart goes out to the little girl.

The mother doesn't shout or anything. But I do hear her there sometimes when the father is shouting.

I wasn't trying to muffle my conscience. Just be able to look after my own children.

Definitely get those ear defenders. Maybe try turning the TV up a bit too. Nothing like the sound of a baby being abused to spoil your evening🙄

Report it ffs you could be saving her life

I don't want to listen to it no. It gives me flashbacks and makes my anxiety go through the roof and I have my own DC to look after.