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.

So take them to the park if they need to play for hours.

I'm autistic myself and I totally appreciate how important it is for your kids to be regulated but that doesn't mean it should be at the expense of your neighbours' peace and quiet.

If your DC needed peace and quiet to regulate, would you be happy if next door set up a disco and played music for hours, or let their kids out to bounce balls around?

Just nonsense and a way to justify it to yourself

why can’t you take them to a park?

Exactly. Most people know the summer is fair game and can’t complain but hope of a days respite on Xmas day?!

So it only benefits you op? Do you plan to do this everyday?

You do not have a right to silence. Normal family noise is to be expected in residential areas.

It Could be that their visitors are complaining about the noise to your neighbours and that is making your neighbours stressed. We all know what it is like to deal with difficult visitors. Maybe cut them a bit of slack as you say that they usually don’t complain.Perhaps for the sake of good neighbourly relations, your children could spend a bit less time in the garden just for tomorrow.

Yes too much to ask. You do not have the right to dictate what others do on their private property. Normal family noise is to be expected in residential areas. Even more so during school holidays. HTH.

Blasting Slayer at 4 am is not the same as kids playing in the garden during daylight house. Ridiculous and excessive comparison. Also in case you were not aware, Download Festival and Leeds festival take place in residential areas, and manage to be within the confines of the law. Highly doubt a couple of kids playing with a mud kitchen reaches anywhere near those levels.

Yep - and normal family noise is not the same as kids bouncing balls around for hours on end.

This

The OP said the children were out, every day pretty much and in the summer all day long.
This will not be classed as reasonable.

And besides, whatever happened to being a decent, thoughtful person? Out the window and everyone entitled and this is the new, shitty UK. Had the OP been decent, she'd take the children out for some of the time they'd normally be in the garden so neighbours just have a few hours a day instead of all day.

The neighbours have put up with this noise for a long long time by the sounds of it, they ask once about being able to keep it down a bit with the new balls because they had guests/wanted to enjoy Xmas day and the OP has complained. Horrible, inconsiderate people.

The shoe fits .

OP needs to be more considerate

Good advice I think!

"It is also possible to stop the ball bouncing and most certainly stop any screaming and shouting."

Is it? Gosh. You must share your expertise with us all.

OP has already told us they don't scream and shout anyway...but please, tell us exactly how we stop some autistic children from making a noise. I'm all ears.

We do sometimes go to the park but it’s very difficult as they can get very upset. One runs off and is unpredictable. Both are terrified of dogs. It isn’t ideal and can make them stressed. Having a garden is amazing as we have made it their safe space to regulate themselves and get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Ds 1 no longer needs melatonin due to the amount of outside time he gets it’s really really vital for their wellbeing to access their own garden daily.

Exactly this

@Xmasinthegarden .re their Xmas “gentle reminder” text… I’d go buy some cheap. Ear plugs and drop them through the door!

They have a perfectly good garden, it's also Christmas day, they had new garden toys to play with, it's perfectly normal to have children in their own garden having fun.

What on earth is a mud kitchen?

Playing, yes, but not bouncing basketballs and kicking footballs around for hours on end.

Most kids round here have been racing up and down the close on their new bikes/scooters/skateboards and as far as I'm aware, no one has complained. It's nice to see kids playing with their new toys on Xmas day.

I would play them at their own game.

if you continue to message, show up at my door I will have no choice but to complain to the police about harassment!!

That's the birthday present, duh

Kids’ noise will generally be classed as reasonable and part of everyday life.

Right bunch of mood hoovers here 😂

By all means please go and complain and let us know how it pans out. Will look out for angry face neighbour in the daily mail articles. Kids were kids in their own garden shock expose on Newwsnight.

Smashing balls off the wall and fences ?

not really is it

Sort of like a wooden toy play oven/sink/kitchen but they can mix up mud, leaves, herbs, water with utensils etc it’s really good for sensory play