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.

What a strange way to live life. Proud of being petty when the poster said that they have tolerated louder and longer. Such a shame petty is seen as being a positive trait in MN instead of a race to the bottom

A good few posters here don't understand or have experience of parenting children with additional support needs. It's not a criticism, not everyone is going to. That's why mumsnet is a duff place to seek advice for anything nuanced.

I think OP, why not give them a quiet day tomorrow, sounds like they are very tolerant of whatever noise the 'general chatting' really is day in day out. If you can't even do that for them you may find they are less tolerant in the future. Their messages to you have been polite and you sound quite belligerent towards them for wanting one day of peace and quiet after not complaining all year..

But these children managed fine without these noisy toys up until today, which is when the neighbours began complaining.

I am autistic and have multiple autistic relatives btw. I know bloody well how hard it is but it's also not a free pass to just let your kids do whatever they like.

Blissfully ignorant. How nice.

Why should the neighbours move? They may not be able to afford it, having moved so recently. They may love the house they have just bought but don't love 5+ hours of kids' noise. It's all very well saying that they should go and buy somewhere more isolated but that's not really very practical. How many people, especially now, can just move because they feel like it?

The fuck?!

Be interesting to hear why the previous owners moved

What an awful comment. But sticking to this particular post you think children that play outside should be moved into residential care to protect those that are so sensitive they cannot cope with normal household noise?

Well guests today and tomorrow so to be accurate it's two days.

People that complain about stuff like this are also the first people to complain that kids spend too much time indoors playing game consoles these days. Make up your mind! Let the kids play out and they can phone the police (who will completely ignore the complaint)

You said that during the summer your children were in the garden for pretty much 10 hours a day, they usually spend a lot of time out there and your neighbours have never complained before so it seems like they're pretty tolerant about the noise kids make when they're playing. I don't think they are being unreasonable to ask for a little bit of consideration whilst they have guests.

Today was 5 hours but 3 then 2 not 5 hours straight. Tomorrow will be 2-3 hours. One of us always supervises them it’s not just to have peace and quiet for ourselves they often need support with playing and even if they don’t they need adult supervision

They can want in one hand and poop in the other, and ...

No you're right, the world doesn't revolve around them and is an inaccessible and hostile place to sen kids. Often their only safe place is their home and garden. Which they are perfectly entitled to play in and be themselves.

Honestly some people on this thread are just beyond belief. "why don't you take them to the park" as if it's that easy.

I find that attitude pretty hypocritical too 'I cannot cope with your DC so they should be hidden away to accomodate ME'.

If they're outside every day and this is the first time the neighbours have asked for quiet and the neighbours have explained why(elderly relatives and a newborn) then it doesn't seem that unreasonable for you to otherwise occupy them tomorrow morning. It's not like the neighbours have complained at any other time. If both times your children were out today the neighbours commented, they obviously weren't quiet.

How close is the basketball set up to the neighbours? If it's by their conservatory, could it be moved?

I'd maybe limit the ball bouncing as that can get a bit tedious but other than that just ignore them. Assuming the neighbours aren't sitting in complete silence with the windows open I'm surprised they can even hear them.

Playing out is fine for as long as they’d like to. I think the basketball is fairly antisocial and I wouldn’t have gotten that toy in a built up area.

Your neighbours have no sense of reality. And posters saying you should take away balls or go to playground also not getting it. You’re kids deserve what is best for them at Christmas. Hope they have a good morning playing tomorrow.

Sounds like perfect gifts for your DC. Mine would love this and I should try harder!
Well done you OP!

Ah yes, those of us who find loud noise painful should just shut up and put up with it