Once as a teenager, I went to pick up my sister from a friend's house. You know how once you can drive, suddenly you're doing all your parents' unpleasant errands? Well, I considered this to be one of them. It was late at night. I resentfully honked my horn for her to come out. Then honked like three more times until she did. Just as she emerged, the neighbor across the way came over to thank me for waking up his sleeping baby. Oopsie! I really was so embarrassed. But also thought the guy was a jerk (what else is there for an embarrassed teenager in the wrong to think??).
Only now I find myself needing to be that guy. Our new neighbors across the way are constantly home and constantly blaring music from their cars during Peeps' nap time. It drives me crazy. The thing is, they're really nice. I feel like we have a good neighborly rapport built up, which keeps me from going over and asking them to turn it down. Because I feel like any way I say it, I'm going to end up as the shrew (or if their music is any indication, the *%$# shrew) next door...any suggestions?
9 comments:
I'll take care of it.
Just find their blog and comment anonymously.
Isn't that the worst? My neighbors don't blast their music but I just get frustrated when all the neighbor kids are out in front of my house while Emma is trying to nap. I've never said anything though, because like you I feel like no matter what or how I say it I'll be thought of badly. Oh well, I'll just keep living with it. Good luck with your situation.
This story sounds very similar to the one I have where a niece notified my very young children the truth about Santa Claus.
When we lived in Tempe, the little neighborhood kids would always ride their razor scooters up and down the sidewalk outside of Ryley's room. I only had to go out once and tell them that they had to stop and move their party elsewhere. I'm sure they thought of me as a wicked, mean lady but I've learned you have to protect that naptime at all costs. Especially when you have two! So I say you just ask nicely and I'm sure they will oblige, if not you can always phone the local police (and yes, I've gone that route before as well).
I had some neighbors once who would have loud, obnoxious parties until the wee hours of the morning. I finally lost my mind and shouted out the window at them to "PLEASE BE QUIET!!!!!" I wouldn't recomend that route. But, I'm sure yours wouldn't be offended if you were really nice about it.
Just go over and explain that your daughter is napping. I have done that several times with people on our street and they almost always feel bad and comply by turning down the music. If they hate me, oh well. At least my kids can sleep and I can be a happy mom.
go to walmart or target and buy the most inexpensive floor fan they have - you know the kind: square, white, plastic, super loud - run the fan away from her bed so it's not blowing on her. if you aim it at the wall it's even louder. The white noise is soothing and it drowns out a lot of the outside noise.
Our next door neighbors (we share a wall) have a love of Rock Band at full blast, usually beginning at around 11:30 p.m. We thought we'd taken care of it with some gentle text messages, but once the wife was away, the husband began again to play. Finally I threatened to call the HOA...it shut them up, but things are definitely awkward now. But at least we can sleep again!
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