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.

Why can’t you take them to a park or do something else?

Basketballs should absolutely not be allowed in a residential garden. Unless you've had to live next door to the thud thud thud then you can't possibly imagine how infuriating it is. Your children's need for fresh air to regulate doesn't trump your neighbours need to not be subjected to that. You're being unreasonable and I can totally understand if they make a complaint to the council as that's incredibly antisocial.

This! Have a quiet calm morning with a leisurely breakfast. Play with toys in PJs. Watch a Christmas movie then get ready to head out. Chill out and calm down. Why the rush to launch the kids into the garden early doors? You sound obsessed with it to be honest which can’t be helping their emotional regulation.

But why can't you take the noisy toys off them for a little bit? They clearly don't need them as they managed fine without them up until today.

Just because your kids got new toys doesn't mean you have to let them play with them constantly.

As I explained previously one will run off and is unpredictable. Both terrified of dogs.
They get very stressed out and overwhelmed and it causes mental exhaustion/ burnout that causes sleep issues and difficult behaviour rather than natural physical exhaustion. At the moment the aim is to improve sleeping, eating, fitness and general help and to keep them regulated. Then we are going to try and make progress in more difficult areas and eventually will hopefully be able to go out more to places such as parks

🤔 😂Why would it be a AI for suggesting the beach - we live about 10 mins from beaches, lots of people do, we are an island!

And 5 hours outside in these temps I am very impressed, the little play park I can see from our back window was deserted all day AFAIK, not a soul about, as a PP said, it was Baltic out there!

I would have stopped them playing with the basketball- the constant thudding is a terrible nose.

If you usually get on I would probably have told them to come in earlier depending on my mood and how noisy they actually are.

How is stating our plans for tomorrow being a troll ??

Hmmm… I think a little bit goes a long way for neighbour harmony.
Give them some peace

Basically you don't give a shit about your neighbours and what they need, because you only care about what you and your kids need. Just be honest and say that 🤷🏻‍♀️

They were probably hoping to get some peace and quiet in the winter months. It’s also absolutely freezing today, your children must be very hardy.

People are bonkers on this thread, I can’t see a problem with this at all and actually how brilliant that your kids are outside so much. I think it’s totally unreasonable of the neighbours- do they have windows / doorsopen? Surely wouldn’t hear much! I wouldn’t even entertain their message, they’ll have some job getting the council or police to take them seriously!

It’s not that I don’t give a shit. I don’t dislike them and I’m not trying to annoy them but of course I’m going to put my dc first. We have had a horrific time over the years with their SEN issues and we’ve found some things that are really, really helping so of course I don’t want to do anything that might affect that. That’s not selfish and I’m being very honest, I need the dc to sleep properly and be as calm and regulated as they can be and I really don’t want ds1 back on melatonin if possible.

You can still complain about noise. Most people when they move into a house will assume that while there may be some noise that most people are considerate and thoughtful and wouldn’t let their kids be feral in the garden for 5 plus hours on Xmas day.

of course people can say that they’re entitled to let their kids do what they want and fuck the neighbours. There’s a lot wrong with people like that though.

oh and I did read the post btw, the original post. Maybe you’d like to go back and read it? OP does not say she was supervising them. She’s quite possibly come back and said that, I’d really doubt she was out there with them for the duration. She may have been supervising from inside but is obviously oblivious to how annoying they are.

I will be in the minority, but for 1 year they asked you once to keep quiet due to guests and you think they are unreasonable?

I would just try to be respectful. It is the holidays. Everyone deserves a bit of peace and quiet. As others suggested, take your kids to the park. 5 hours in the garden sounds a bit excessive to me. I’m surprised they don’t get bored.

Ridiculous people moan they don’t see children playing out any more on Christmas Day on their new bikes etc. My son used to have to have a few hours out in the fresh air every day or he wouldn’t sleep. Then we have a noise problem.

They wear thermal base layers , warm clothes and a waterproof / windproof all in one , hats , gloves etc they are always nice and warm. It’s actually easier to stay warm on cold dry days like today than damp days

Putting your DC first doesn't have to involve noisy toys though, does it?

New bikes are very different from kids banging metal utensils and bouncing a basketball around though.

And the neighbours and all the other funsponges and mood hoovers on here similarly think it’s ok to not give a shit about your dcs needs with all the sanctimonious posts on here.
Sod ‘em @Xmasinthegarden ! It’s not like you’re running a brothel or crack den!!

Hell, that text would have me utterly fuming.

It sounds like very ordinary neighbour noise OP. If they're genuinely not shouting the whole time etc then. I would completely ignore.

OP does sound obsessed and i suspect the logic is because it means that the kids are in the garden out of her sight and her mind

All the people saying OP isnt being unreasonable - hopefully you end up with someone like them as a neighbour then you can look back on this thread and see if you stand by what you said 🫠