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.

Can you not take the balls off them for now?

It's very telling that they've not complained until today when you bought them footballs and basketballs to bounce about.

“Some ball bouncing”

nowhere does it say 5 hours non stop

OP says not excessive chatting and laughing and she was supervising

Says you…

A few summers ago I had the little girl from down the street outside my house singing let it go repeatedly for the whole of the holidays. It was annoying because I had to keep the windows closed and keep my dog inside or she’d howl along with her, but I didn’t complain about that because she was just a kid having fun singing her favourite song. I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all.

I'm a grumpy old woman and suffer badly from misphonia. But even I know that children playing outside is a good thing. Whether I know them or not, for society, it's better to have active children engaging in proper play than keyboard/screen zombies.

Yes, there are bratty, loud, annoying children on my street. I wouldn't ever dream of complaining about their noise. I'd be totally unreasonable.

Well done for taking a positive approach to dealing with their SEN and their abundance of energy.

People that want children to be seen but unheard really shouldn't live in family neighbourhoods / family size houses.

I'd message them back and say something along the lines of 'My children have diagnosed SEN and need to be active and burn off their energy. It's the reason we bought a house with a decent sized garden. Apologises if it's annoying to have them playing noisily outside, but it'd be a lot more intrusive for you to have them playing noisily inside.'

The balls are the main part of what they asked for - basketball set and football goals

Not sure what I'm being entitled about, I've got two kids in their 50s and they don't play in the garden.

The neighbours had guests on one day and asked for a few hours of peace for their guests.. Is this really that inconsiderate when they put up with noise every day, for hours?

Sounds like the poor neighbourhoods never get a single days break, they must be at the end of their tether

The more I read this the more I think it’s a wind up. There, I’ve said it.

It may be this that annoys them, i.e. that because they do tolerate noise most of the time on other days too, they hoped you'd give them a quiet Christmas.

Oh why not just go for max annoyance and buy them a bloody drum kit?
(yes, sarcasm).

As I have said I have had experience with a person like OP

Said exactly the same things when the reality was completely different, the behaviour then escalated which resulted in 4 of 9 houses in a row being put up for sale and 1 person handing in the notice on their tenancy on another house of the 9.

But that doesn't mean you need to let them play with them for hours on Christmas Day (or any day).

They can take their balls to the park and play there.

I’m intrigued as to why the tv isn’t up very loud with the elders!

5 hours of noisy kids in the garden would not be my idea of Christmas Day fun!

I get that kids are excited and want to play with new toys, but other people exist too and deserve a bit of peace.

Correct, one who has respect for neighbours no less!

Ah now it makes sense

sorry we are responding to OP not your problems as you haven’t posted them!

You’d expect silence on Christmas Day? You think people shouldn’t be hosting large groups of guests, laughing and chatting and playing games? And children shouldn’t be allowed to play with their new toys in their own gardens, or be excited? Merriment generally does involve some laughter and bustle, you know. It’s Christmas, not a funeral.

You sound well overdue a visit from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Come.

They live nd. They really don't need your number..
Block..
And enjoy the peace when dc are playing out.

If they weren’t regulated and happily playing they’d be having meltdowns which I’m sure the neighbours would complain about more

Then the children should be taken to a park then, surely a change of environment is better for them then the garden?

just because the children may have needs they need to learn to function in society not have a free ticket to be disruptive and a nuisance

"I bet you are not outside for 5 hours."

You'd lose that bet. We can and do spend hours outdoors either as part of organised outdoor activities or simply because a child refuses to move from their spot in the playground. A handful of our students operate on an outdoor timetable while others do a half hour out/half hour in arrangement that helps them to regulate and focus.
Full waterproofs are provided. 😅

This, if they want that level of control and silence they can move to the outer Hebrides!
am sure the police will jump to deal with the chaos of 2 under ten’s playing with a mud kitchen!!
infact… maybe they will to avoid the bar brawls and family Christmas dinner fights!!!

It's not 'peace' it's protection of your 'ease and enjoyment' of your home or noise that is 'prejudicial to health' and is subject to a test of 'reasonable person' and the characteristics of the noise is absolutely an element of a nuisance consideration. Children playing us not the same as amplified music. The case law is clear and has been since the 1936 Public Health Act in that matter. Other considerations are character of the locality, nature, duration, volume and frequency of the noise. A one off really noisy party is rarely a nuisance in law but every Saturday will almost definitely be.There's more to be considered but the point is made.
What is a reasonable person.
The case law states the 'man on the Clapham Omnibus' is considered a reasonable person. That's the bull shit of case law for you.😂