M.M. asks from San Juan Capistrano, CA on August 05, 2007
Neighbor Issues.
Not sure in which category to place this under... I just need to vent and get some feedback.
My 2.5 year old has a speech delay, and receiving Behavorial ABA therapy through the Regional Center, I also have a one year old who constantly follows her sister around. And the oldest is constantly picking on her.
I also live in a apartment. I have been there for 5 years and have never had any issues until last week. I am so stressed.
So last week, Saturday, it was a little before 2. I got a knock at the door, this lady you can tell she was in a bad mood and frazzled, she was clenching her hands and telling me she was my neighbor (whom I have never seen.) and she worked a triple shift, she is tired, wants to sleep but my girls are being way too loud. And if I can do something and keep them from screaming. I told her, they were babies, but I would do what I could, and I apologized.
I went inside, closed all the windows, turned the fans on, and went on my daily routine, and when my 2 yo would open the sliding doors, I would get so nervous that her even yelling Hi to all the passerbys would bring back this neighbor.
I have been walking on eggshells; and I hate it.
I brought it up to my 2 y.o. teachers and Family therapist at school and they told me to next time tell the neighbor that she has Autism and receiving Behavorial ABA help and I am doing the best I can. They say normally the people feel sorry for me and back off.
Well, today, I took my 2 y.o. to my Moms and came to work. And then I get a call from my Dad saying the neighbor came over again and complained about my 1 y.o. crying too loud. And my Dad told her its a baby, they cry, they make noises, we cannot keep our windows closed all day, it gets hot and expensive with the air conditioning. That why doesnt she just close her windows and not work three shifts. And the lady threaten my Dad to call the Police in which he told her to go ahead and call them.
I am furious, I have never had any complaints, yes they can be loud but they arent crying or screaming every single minute of the day. Besides, if it was at 1 AM in the morning or whatever, I would totally understand but at 1 o'clock in the afternoon.. come on give me a break.
So I called the Leasing office, and I told them that this was stressing me out, and it sucks that I have to walk on eggshells in my own home. The Assistant Manager lives in the next apartment below us, (We have the garage under us.) and she has never complained.
The Office said that lady was being unreasonable if she thinks we need to have our windows closed. Kids are kids, and she should understand that. And for me to not worry about any complaints, usually they listen but they dont do anything about it unless its after 10 PM.
It just sucks.
Anyone have any horror neighbor stories?
So What Happened?™
Thanks everyone for your quick replies and feedback. I have my speech prepared to give her if she comes again and complains this weekend. I love the ideas of a basket with herbal teas and earplugs. But, I have no clue where this neighbor lives.
I feel a lot relaxed and calm after reading all your responses. I hope to not go that far as an filing a harrassing or restraining order. I still feel she hates kids. Makes me want to have a BBQ with family and friends at 2 PM and see if she will complain about that or if its just my kids that set her on edge.
Featured Answers
L.J. answers from Los Angeles on August 06, 2007
There is a very simple solution to this, it's called EARPLUGS! Go out and spend about $3 on a box of foam earplugs, slap a bow on it, and leave them on her doorstep.
1 mom found this helpful
More Answers
E.A. answers from Portland on August 06, 2007
i dont have any advice... but i want to give you a ((hug))
glad your dad put her in her place.
imho
next time she comes over tell her to kiss your a$$
1 mom found this helpful
A.D. answers from Los Angeles on August 06, 2007
Well at least you can see from the leasing office that kids are kids especially one with special needs. I live with my parents and know when I move out it will need to be somewhere that can handle my loud children. I also have a child with autism and he can be REALLY loud. He can't help it though. We even work on showing him visual cards to show him what times we can be loud and what times we need to be quiet. Maybe you can try that.
Your child is still young though so your neighbors should probably be told what is going on so they can understand. Try sending her a card explaining your situation or just knock on her door and give her a pamphlet on autism and what you yourself are dealing with. You are strong to have two small children, including one with special needs, and not once did I hear you complain about your kids just your neighbors misunderstanding. Your kids are lucky to have such an understanding mom. Good luck and happy to hear you are getting early intervention from regional center. Let me know if you need any help, I have been around the block with school districts and regional centers.
1 mom found this helpful
P.E. answers from Los Angeles on August 06, 2007
Hi M., I can see where this is a problem. I am so sorry that you have to go through this! Your right though, if this were 1:00a.m. in the morning I could see where this lady/neighbor would complain also the fact that the AM has not said anything means to me this lady is a very light sleeper.
Your AM seems very understanding and I would take her cues and do what you can but don't go walking around on eggshells. I also have a daughter that has autism (she's 5) and her screaming duting the day? Man!! I am surprised no one has called the police yet!!
You can vent to me! P.
1 mom found this helpful
M.A. answers from Los Angeles on August 06, 2007
My husband and I have had bad neighbors in the past when we lived in an apartment. We lived below a guy who wanted to be a d.j. and would spin records in the middle of the night..it was horrible. I think this woman is being unreasonable. I work graveyards and even though I live in a house I can hear the kids next door playing in the backyard on their skateboard ramps especially since it is summer. It is difficult to sleep during the day but kids are kids and they are playing. Your neighbor needs to realize that too. Like you said it is not the middle of the night and your girls are just playing. Unfortunately apartment walls are thin. She needs to invest in a good pair of earplugs and turn a fan on. That seems to work for me and when I sleep during the day my son is in the living room with my Mom playing so there is a lot of noise going on around me. Take care and good luck!
1 mom found this helpful
M.A. answers from Los Angeles on August 06, 2007
You manager is right. The lady is now invading your privacy and becoming now harrassing to you. I had the same problem when we lived in our apartment when my son was a baby. Next time the lady comes knocking on your door have a letter ready to give her. Advise her that sorry you have children but that is life. Find out from your local police department what the hours are for noise. Usually it is nothing before 7am or after 11pm. Find out the code and section number and refer to it in the letter. I went to my apartment manager and she got the Rules and Regulations for the bulding and I made a copy of that. Every apartment building has to have rules and regulations with bylaws. Also state in your letter that if she comes one more time to your door or within like 5 feet of you, you will be charging her with harrassment and file a restraining order. She may not like this and go to the manager, but there is nothing she can do. She may even call the police, but there is nothing they can do. Just make sure you write a letter to your manager and keep a copy of everything she is doing. So start with a letter to the manager and mail a copy to her. It should basically state that your neighbor is complaining about your children in mid afternoon and per the (this is where you will refer to the noise nuisance code) she is starting to harass you. Advise them at this time there will no action taken, but if she continues to come knocking on your door you will have to take further action. Don't state what the action is, it is just implied. It is also up to management to get involved if she is crossing the line. It sounds like they will be understanding, just make sure everytime she does something you write a letter about it and give it to management and send a copy to her. If you write in your letter you will be taking action make sure you follow up on it.
Good luck
1 mom found this helpful
L.J. answers from Los Angeles on August 06, 2007
There is a very simple solution to this, it's called EARPLUGS! Go out and spend about $3 on a box of foam earplugs, slap a bow on it, and leave them on her doorstep.
1 mom found this helpful
T.W. answers from San Diego on August 06, 2007
Hello, I would tell your neighbor she can either move or talk to the manager about it.
1 mom found this helpful
S.A. answers from Los Angeles on August 06, 2007
You have gone above and beyond for this woman. Let her call the police. They will laugh in her face if they even acknowledge it. It's not nighttime, they are babies and you PAY to live there also, right? Eff her. Call the police on her if she keeps showing up at your door! Restraining order lady? Good luck & remember you have rights also
1 mom found this helpful
Email