Ring doorbell goes off continuously

[SuzieJ221]

Neighbourhood kids - 2 families the kids are ringing doorbell from 11ish to 7/8 in evening. I put a note on door yesterday saying “child name can’t play today sorry” but the same kids came several more times to read the note. They didn’t ring bell but the notifications went off. I thought I was a genius putting a note on the door and my problem was solved but why are they checking same note so many times? If it says she can’t play today why will that change an hour or 2 hours later? After 6pm and I think the 8th alert on my phone I let DD play with them, I did speak harshly to the eldest one (10) yesterday and said I’ve told them all before that she’s not always home during the day but is free evening from 6pm onwards to which the child responded back “6pm is day time not evening” my dd chimed in and they all did too that I was wrong 😂 I felt I was in school again!

this is obviously affecting be as I’m up at this hour stewing over this incident and many others since the start of summer. My DD never knocks on anyone’s door as she’s too shy so if I do let her play during the day she just hangs around the gardens to hear if they are playing - the parents never get disturbed.

No I disagree. As I said other kids respect it I saw one little boy read the note and he didn’t return at all, same with the other kids BUT it’s the one kid who keeps checking the note - her sibling also comes with her and another little girl follows. If a younger boy can read the note and not return then this 10 year old should also do same and not keeps returning. If I don’t put up a note they will keep ringing and disturbing my meetings so what can I do. I don’t want her on my property when I’ve clearly written on the note there will be no playing today. As I’ve just posted earlier today I already told them she’s at grandparents but the same girl has returned! The other kids haven’t.

Meh, agree to disagree then. As for disturbing your meetings, that’s laughable…just turn off the notifications or silence the chime, it’s literally there on your phone. I put my phone onto do not disturb for meetings all the time.

Thank you all the ones who have understood where I’m coming from! You’ve really helped me this morning and some of you have made me laugh. This isn’t a small thing for me as it’s affecting my mental health, those lucky enough not to have experienced this I hope you do so you can see yourselves. Thank you all, have a lovely day

That’s good point but I work in the kitchen. So I can literally see them from my dining table. I don’t have a study and don’t fancy doing meetings from my bedroom

youve not answered why your DH, who you say yesterday was sitting watching tv, isn’t dealing with something that’s actually affecting your mental health while you are the one trying to work

@liveforsummer not sure, maybe it’s due to him not hearing/not caring someone is at door. I can directly see front yard as dining table overlooks front driveway from kitchen window.

I have voted YABU for not being more assertive but I also feel sorry for you as this particular girl (who sounds like a weapon) obviously triggers you in some way and it’s terrible if it’s effecting your mental health.

You are probably unaware of it but you’re entrenched in a bargaining/negotiating/pushing the boundaries situation with a ten year old girl and you need to take back control. Writing notes, continually answering the door, repeating yourself ad nauseum and answering their ‘why’s’ are all simply fuelling a fire. It’s providing engagement, entertainment and they will not stop doing it based on your current responses.

You have already answered the door once today (I wouldn’t have come to the door and just spoken over the speaker) and you don’t need to engage any further. No notes, put notifications on silent and simply ignore. And so be it if they see you through the windows, it’s your own home and you can sit and work wherever you wish.

We have kids calling around constantly and I don’t mind in the slightest but when the kids are not here I’ll tell them once and then ignore the door. They all get the message!

You’re the adult and in order to alleviate your own anxiety you have to take a more proactive stance by no longer engaging with them. Once is enough. The other children sound nice and respectful but you have to stop letting this girl make you feel like this.

I was trying to be helpful Op. If they are not knocking on the door then change notifications and become oblivious to it. The way we all were before ring cameras.

Can’t believe you put a note on the door telling them not to knock instead of speaking to them or parents directly. Strange behaviour