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.

Wish I lived next to you I love hearing children laughing and playing in the garden

They could purposefully start being the neighbours from hell? Blasting music all hours, etc? Obviously they shouldn’t but who wants that battle? 🤷‍♀️.

No England ! It’s been cold and windy but dry and they were thermals and layers and wind/waterproof all in ones and stay toasty!

Why do people keep saying it's just one day. OP clearly says they complained about it today and are already expecting her to keep kids in tomorrow. That is two days.

Ignore your neighbours. Kids playing in the garden is normal noise. If you can't cope with that buy a house in the middle of nowhere.

This is a whole lot of talk over children reasonably playing in their garden.

Id reply back saying I will use my garden as I see fit, have a lovely day, because you do it once they will expect it forever.

You should have told them to fuck off.

Thats the only response that entitled cunts like this deserve.

Your neighbours sounds entitled and bloody miserable. If you don’t want to live near children move into a retirement home.
My child needs movement to regulate, I totally get it. Do want you need to do. Ignore your whingey neighbour.
I never understood all the pearl clutching about children being outside in the winter, as long as they are wrapped up properly it’s fine. Nordic countries are very much about children playing out in all weathers. Their children have some of the best outcomes in Europe.

Depends. Bouncing balls for hours on end, yes, that's unreasonable. General play and normal noise, that's reasonable.

BTW, we had this issue with our neighbours and took advice. Noise doesn't generally bother me, especially kid noise, but the balls, were out of control. I was advised that my complaint would stand if I wanted to go ahead. During allowed hours doesn't mean you can do make unreasonable and sustained noise. I will complain if I have to, but don't want to if not necessary.

Instead I decided that I didn't owe them the same level of consideration I had been showing. Their life is now a lot noisier from my side and I'm actually glad to have the freedom. They don't like it but too bad. Their kids are now starting to lose interest in the balls but I'm not losing interest in what I do.

There is a difference between kids playing outside and the continuous thudding of a fucking basketball!

Amen.

That’s what you pick up on? Weird… Do you or your children have a fear of dogs? If not, you won’t even notice how many dogs are in the park on the way to the playground. If you have 2 terrified kids clinging on to you, you’ll soon realise. I have 2 kids with a fear of dogs and there are loads on the way to the playground.

My kids love being outside. You just need to wrap them up :) my toddler especially loves a run about outside. Regardless of weather (he is far hardier than I am).

YANBU OP. I suspect they expanded into the conservatory which will hear the noise more, and were fussed about a fussy baby who didn't want to nap.

You've ordered sponge balls. Which is a clear sound mitigation. They can threaten a noise complaint, but you've not broken any rules.

Ignore all the grumpy posters. There's a lot of weird 'children should be seen and not heard' nonsense posting - which was considered horribly old fashioned when I was a kid back in he early '80s.

What the actual F? Who do these neighbours think they are? And I’m adding the words “gentle reminder” to my most hated phrases list! Would they prefer that ur kids just played on their iPads all day? Probably. Outdoor play is so good for kids, send them out and tell them to make all the noise they like.

Don't complain when the neighbours make all the noise they like then.

They should let it go on Christmas day but hours of balls is not fair really. If you don't get that, you've never had to live next to it.

What are the police going to do for kids playing in their garden exactly, how much noise can 2 children make playing outside with just a ball? They're hardly going to get anywhere with a noise complaint about children playing in their garden in the middle of the day on christmas day. I'd ignore and carry on as you would if they hadn't complained, kids back in the garden tomorrow. What are they going to do in 2/3 years time when that newborn has 500 toys that make a noise 😆?

I'd have made a suggestion that they stick some christmas music on and lighten up!

The police won't but the council might if it's longer term.

Putting on music is a good suggestion and one I've utilised. The neighbour doesn't like that though. Not my problem though.

So they didn’t complain once over summer when your children were out every day making noise for hours and hours but they asked for a break for one day on Christmas Day and then Boxing Day and you’re being a dick about it?

I think it’s probably something to the constant bouncing ball and/or they’ve got sensitive relatives. Give them a break from what sounds like your constant garden noise

Did you really not consider that a basketball and hoop would be a problem BEFORE you bought it?

They said if this happens again tomorrow they will file a ‘noise complaint’ and may call the police

Call the police for kids playing outside with their new toys on Christmas Day??
Lol, they're batshit and no doubt the police will think so as well!
Ignore them.

No, not at all. I am simply pointing out another POV.
Children + noise are both distressing for me. Christmas brings additional stresses. It may simply be that whoever made contact is trying desperately to cope with their own emotional dysregulation.

Gee I hope not. Dehydration and sunburn.

They are literally just asking for one day of peace and quiet, specifically because of elderly visitors and a newborn. They aren't asking the OP to never let her children play in the garden...

Just want to say I think you're amazing getting your boys out so much! Fresh air and exercise works wonders for so many people, just becahse they're kids doesn't mean they're not allowed to use their outside space.

I do think it must be the ball introduction but I see you've read about sponge balls already.

I'm guessing the basketball hoop isn't against a shared wall?

Haha, don't Google what children do in Scandinavia, you'll be horrified.