Neighbours complaining about noisy dc in garden

[Xmasinthegarden]

We got the dc (8 and 5) a lot of presents for the garden (mud kitchen , outdoor toys, football/goals basketball hoop etc) they both have AuDHD and need to let off steam in the fresh air.

They were in the garden 10-1. Then back out again after lunch 230-430.

We had had a text from the neighbours at 115pm saying ‘we have guests today and would appreciate a little less noise from the garden thanks’ which I ignored but when the dc went back out at 230pm we had them knocking and telling us that they have family there and some are quite elderly and want peace and quiet and their niece has a newborn and all the commotion from our garden is very irritating as they are trying to relax in their conservatory. I said that the dc were not being that noisy and they wouldn’t be out there past 430 anyway. They said if this happens again tomorrow they will file a ‘noise complaint’ and may call the police!

The dc were just playing, not screaming or fighting. Just running about. Some ball bouncing yes but nothing terrible. They play out pretty much every day and this hasn’t been an issue before ? The neighbours moved in Feb this year so obviously it’s their first Xmas here but they would have known our dc play out a lot ?

They have text now with a ‘gentle reminder - tomorrow needs to be a calm peaceful day. Thanks for your cooperation’ wtf !!!

AIBU to ignore this ? We are home in the morning them leaving at 1230 to see my parents so if the dc play in the garden it wont be for that long just 2/3 hours in the morning.

If it was really just gentle chatting do you really think your neighbours would have complained? After ten months of not complaining? They don’t sound like they’re normally unreasonable at all. I really doubt they’ve complained over two kids chatting in the garden. I live in a semi, i wouldn’t even hear my neighbours chatting in their garden!

I just don’t buy it OP

How many dogs are in the play park?

I supervise them or dh does as I’ve already said !!!

I also hope that, if you don't give them the ONE DAY they've asked for, that they go out of their way to do things to annoy you throughout 2026 😂

The play park is in the middle of the park - it’s a big park and you have to walk through where the dogs are and there are always a lot it’s very popular with dog walkers

@IsIroningEssential you mean neighbours who have kids who play in their GARDEN??!!
THE HUMANITY!!! 😫😫😫

They've asked for ONE DAY of peace and quiet, having not complained previously. I don't think that's being a fun sponge tbh...

Sorry @Xmasinthegarden you sound incredibly ignorant of the noise your children make.

Id be pretty peeved off as well, and it sounds like you do this daily, maybe just maybe consider other around you, I’d not want to listen to noisy children for 5 hours.

OP, you say both your kids are terrified of dogs. If your neighbours got a big growly dog which bounced around their back garden and terrified your kids to the extent they no longer used the garden would you say something in the hope of them maybe training the dog to be less growly or bouncy? And if you did and your neighbours said no fuck you, my dog is allowed to be in the garden 10 hours a day and isn’t doing anything wrong. And actually tomorrow we’ll leave him outside for 14 hours you’d be ok with that I guess?

Kids who are outside for 5 hours banging a football/basketball around....

This. Not everyone wants to hear the neighbours screaming kids. .🤷‍♀️

I think there is no wonder we have an obesity crisis in the UK, posters horrified that a child would be outside in winter are utterly ridiculous. I would make sure DC aren't too noisy but there is no need to stop your DC using their garden, or any other part of the property at reasonable hours.

As you say they dont normally say anything I would be inclined to try and figure a way to keep the noise down for a bit tomorrow (only the morning to consider as you say you will be out in the afternoon).

Our fences are high and secure they wouldn’t be able to see a dog , so it wouldn’t be an issue it’s only off lead dogs at the park or outside that scare them

If they continue to complain, say report to the police and when the police tell them there's nothing they can do and they have to suck it up, you expect that to be end of the matter and that if they persist after that you will consider it harassment and act accordingly.

Let them call the police. They are not going to care about children playing in their garden at 3pm. Absolutely hilarious lol tell them to jog on.

Right….

I presume that you don’t take them any where really then due to the fear of dogs

Wow, nasty.

This is so weird.
Kids are allowed in gardens.
How can your neighbour even hear them over their own chat/music/general noise? If it’s winter with windows closed. I can’t believe they’ve text you about this.

The only thing you can really complain about is noise after 11pm. and even then you’d have a hard job getting the police out which makes me think they are just crazy the fact they text you about that.
A mud kitchen is not noisy 🤣

Make sure balls aren’t bouncing all day but apart from that it sounds normal!

Also,I live in Scotland and it's dark at 4pm. Is the OP somewhere hot?

Your solution to SEN DC using their garden to regulate is to take them somewhere that will make them feel disregulated. I'm guessing you don't have disabled children?

Of course we do take them out it’s just 9/10 they play in the garden at the moment . We are taking things slowly to build up to more.

You’re missing the point, what if the fences weren’t high and there was a dog and your kids were scared. If your neighbours just shrugged and left the dog out 12 hours a day terrifying your kids by being there would you be ok with that or would you think they were a bit unneighbourly? When people live close together it’s a good idea to be considerate of each other.

I’m not saying don’t let your kids be outside, but they must be making more noise than you realise. People don’t complain about kids “chatting”, they really don’t. Not unless they’re bonkers and the fact this is the first time in ten months they’ve said something i suspect they’re not bonkers.

But I'll bet it was nice and quiet in OP's house for hours...

The neighbours dont usually say anything even when its more noisy and for longer periods, so sounds like they are understanding 99.9% of the time.