Kids screaming in the garden behind ours

[imtootiredforthis]

As we all know the heat has been unbearable this week.

Temperatures have dropped sharply over the last hour or so here, we have a huge storm rolling in but while it’s cool and breezy, I’ve opened the windows to let some air into the house.

The kids in the house behind us are screaming. Not the type of screaming laughter that’s bearable, but just screaming. It’s unbelievable. I wanted a nice calm evening after a few rubbish days and they’re making it impossible to relax. I don’t want to shut the windows because we need some air in the house.

AIBU to scream back at them?

I'd love to see what happens if you start shrieking, but I'd never have the nerve to do it myself. YANBU to feel that impulse, though. Kids can be kids and play outdoors without literal screaming. It's utter nonsense to suggest otherwise (not on MN, though).

At 8:30 at night? When everyone is trying to relax?

Shout at them to keep it down. My neighbours are the back let their yappy dog bark for about ten minutes at 11pm last night, I’d all the windows open. I lost it and shouted out the windows please shut your dog up, they brought it in. The sun made me cray cray.

And they won’t, unless it’s actively taught. Kids don’t learn this stuff by osmosis.

I don't think we can make any assumptions about what the parents are or are not doing in all honesty. No such observations have been noted in OP's post. They may well be in the garden with them trying to referee speaking in hushed highly emotionally regulated voices. Let's hope anyway!

Agree with previous posters, if mine did that they'd be brought inside. The kids won't realise they are affecting neighbours but the parents do!.
Yes it's hot and they need to blow off steam but this sounds like they need a cool bath and an early night.

Putting up with it rather than getting into a complaint or argument with the parents would be the easier option though in this heat.

I hope so as it really bugs me when my own does that relentless screaming that I have to work through with her, let alone someone else’s!

It is becoming so much more common to have parents refuse to remove screaming or naughty children from situations. Noticed this is a lot more prevalent in shared spaces now. I don’t know why as I’d be embarrassed as a parent.

Nice. We have a yapping dog next door and it’s the bane of my life with the incessant going on and neighbour just shouting at them whilst doing nothing. Goes right through me.

Sorry op i voted YABU.

You’ve had a shit week but so have they.

My kids are 5 and 2 and have had to go into school in nursery with no aircon for hours a day. Or they’ve had to sit inside the house while we try and get on with some work when they just want to play outside. They are also tired and fed up but also need to release some energy.

8.30 on a summer evening, I'd much rather they were out playing than stuck inside glued to a screen so that adults can peacefully watch TV.

I once screamed back at the children at the bottom of my garden, not my finest moment but it worked.

This is normal kids behaviour. They also had a shitty day. And the above conversation isn't screaming in the way you first described btw...
Do you have any kids or experience of kids? You're assuming a lot there with parents not warning them etc. You know, kids are human not dogs. They don't always listen. Dogs don't always listen either but you know what I mean. A bit more patience on your side and they'll go to bed soon. If they were screaming at 11pm that's another matter.

But how do you know it's not being actively taught based on one evening of madness?! Kids sometimes scream! Especially when it's hot and everyone is bothered. At least they're in their own garden and not a public place. Sure, it's not ideal that people can hear them but I agree with a pp stating cutting them a bit of slack during the heat is fair enough. And I think osmosis ie seeing a parent regulate their own emotions IS literally how children ALSO learn it. Actions speak louder than words so to speak.

I had a sleepover last Saturday with too many DC, they had a great time but the moment that one screamed they were firmly put in their place. Screaming is only to be used when in danger.

They weren't screaming they were arguing in loud voices. Read op's next msg

My neighbour’s kids are still screaming and shouting in their pool. No chance of the parents intervening as they started drinking ages ago.

Pisses me off because my kids are trying to sleep.

It’s screaming. I don’t know why youre telling me I’m wrong when I can hear it.

I'd probably let it go for this one evening, but if it happens again I'd be tempted to shout back at them.

If your fences are back to back, can you pop your head over and try to just tell them to keep it down? Kids are so self-absorbed that they don't realize they are disturbing others. The parents are probably so sick of the fighting that they are glad it's outside instead of inside.

I’d rather they were in bed to be honest, it’s far too late for them to be out screaming

My kids were outside screaming earlier and even I shouted at them to be quiet - I bloody hate screaming kids whether I’m related to them or not!

How old are they?

If they’re say 7 or older then I’d say “can you both keep your voices down please” in best teacher style voice

They may well be embarrassed into shutting up or going inside

Won’t work on younger ones though

I think most people are a bit tired, hot and not getting much sleep. They're kids, they'll be in bed soon enough .

You’ll get a 50/50 response here OP but as someone who has neighbours at the back AND side who let their kids scream like they’re being murdered for HOURS every single day (and trust me they do the same indoors too hence they don’t see the issue because apparently they love the sound), you have my full support.

nothing wrong with laughter, shouting, squealing every so often. Sounding like you’re being chased by the girl from The Ring with 19 tarantulas, 3 snakes and a machete? Yeah. Not cool.

Perfect example of kids being held to higher standards than adults!

You're driven to the brink of screaming (back) because you're not getting what you want (peace and quiet). They're driven to the brink of screaming because they're not getting what they want (their toy or whatever).

It's the same picture 😂

A lot of the children on our street play outside the front unsupervised. The screaming, and the things I hear them say, is awful. They’re out til gone 10pm sometimes even on school nights - two of the boys are in the same year as my son (year 1). I sympathise because I’ve opened the windows to let some air in and they have not stopped screaming and crying and fighting for the last hour. Meanwhile my son has been asleep for an hour (luckily on the opposite side of the house so he isn’t disturbed).

I don’t mind the sound of kids playing / excited at all, but this is a different level and I can’t fathom the lack of supervision, some of these kids live round the corner so it’s not even like the parents can check through the window 🫣