So I guess I have a bit of a moral question for you all. What would you do if you were in this situation? You have all lived in apartment complexes, I'm sure, where the walls seemed to be absolutely paper thin, where you can hear everything that transpires next door. Well, we currently live in a place like that. We have a very soon to be terrible two year old in our house. She's loud, very loud. We have tried lots of different things to keep her quiet to no avail. She is just passionate about what she wants be it a tantrum or her singing. It's always as loud as possible. We have this neighbor, a male, who is always pounding on the walls yelling, "Be quiet, " and for the record, there is also a 4 month old baby that lives just above him that is crying all the time as well. I hear kids around this area all the time. This guy is there ALL DAY LONG, yelling and pounding.
This morning Amelia woke up at 6 AM and was quite grumpy all morning. She was throwing tantrum after tantrum after tantrum. I would often put her in her room and just let her cry. Well, the pounding came, so I pounded back. To which he yelled profanities at me, to which I yelled back "you try raising kids!" I then broke down in tears.
I understand it's not fun to listen to kids cry and scream, especially when it seems there is going to be no end to it. Believe me, I know. So, my question to you all is, what would you do? I'd really like to do something, but am a little scared to approach him as I am afraid of what he might do. I am planning on calling the rental agency and reporting him, but I'd also like to make contact with this guy as well. What would be the best way? Again, what would you do?
10 comments:
I suggest you yell really loudly, "I have a shotgun and I know how to use it." if that doesn't stop the pounding/shouting profanity, fire off a volley through the wall. I guarantee that will shut him up. Of course you need to actually have a shotgun for the second part, but you don't for the first one. Or you could just bake him some cookies and go over with Amelia and be very apologetic.
We had the EXACT same problem when we lived in Charleston, SC and I walked my butt over there with a plate of warm cookies and my beautiful son and said we would try very hard to keep our child to act like a respectable two year old if he would be understanding. And, if he is he would get a plate of my great cookies every Friday. It sucked sometimes but that kid got those cookies for the next 52 Fridays for NOT pounding on our wall. I swear a little sugar goes a llllooonnng way with any man!
I'm sorry to hear that! I am sure that adds a lot of stress to your life. Have you talked to the other moms in the building? Maybe you could write him a nice note apologizing for all of the noise, but explain your situation, and ask if he would try not to yell through the wall since you are doing your best. I really don't think you have that many options. If that doesn't work call the rental agency and see what they suggest. (Little does he know that it's probably only going to get worse when the new baby comes....oh what mom's go through!)
Maybe you could leave a set of earplugs (gift-wrapped of course) with an anonymous note about trying to change yourself before trying to change everybody else. Or you could play music really loud, all day long, so that he can't hear A. and you can't hear him yelling at you to be quiet :) It's too bad people can't be more tolerant of children. Each of us was a child once. But, hang in there, you are doing your best!
Oh goodness - that is a hard one. I don't know how I'd handle that one.
We deal with temper tantrums too. Very difficult.
Good luck with whatever you decide. maybe you could bring him cookies or something. :)
Oh Kim - how frustrating. It's hard enough dealing with the tantrums of your two year old, let alone the tantrums of your neighbor! I have no idea what I would do other than say a big prayer and have faith that inspiration will come.
As I sit and read your blog, I too am listening to an almost 2 year old crying in his room because he is so tired that he won't sleep...anyway, that's a hard one. I would say to call and find out about what you can do. I've lived in LA and am a little nervous about some of those people and just going up to him and trying to resolve things, although I'm sure you'd take Brad with you, right? Who knows? Maybe if you took Amelia with you and showed him what a cute little girl she is, he may just come around. :) I'm anxious to hear about what the outcome is. Good Luck!
I was going to make a similar suggestion. Maybe you wouldn't have to promise weekly cookies though.
Be careful. Don't go without Brad but definitely go and meet him and tell him that you are doing all you can but sometimes babies just cry. Cookies are a good idea and ear plugs. I love to hear Amelia singing her little heart out, it is so sweet! There are so many happy things about the noises Amelia makes that far outweigh the negatives. Try to make peace with your neighbor but don't let it get in the way of enjoying Amelia and her cute, energetic personality.
It could be that the neighbor works nights and is trying to sleep during the day. Or some other similar type of reason. Good luck!
Post a Comment