How late is too late...

[hulagirl87]

To be playing outside when you are a kid? My neighbor has 2 kids, both teenagers, I think they are 12 and 14. There are some neighborhood kids that come and congregate in their back yard, probably about 5 or 6 kids total. They have a trampoline so everyone likes to come and hang out there. The past couple nights they have been out playing when it is dark out. Sunday night it was til a little after 9 and last night they didn't even start playing until 8:30. DD nursery is right in the back of the house where they are. I wouldn't mind it so much but they are so loud! Laughing and screaming. Not only am I worried that it will wake DD up but I can't sleep with all the noise either. I guess my thing is, why are you playing in the dark and why are you out late when you have school in the morning. It's bad enough that I know this will be going on all summer. For the parents out there, what are your thoughts? Sorry, just had to vent.

 

[AKL_Megs]

There are worse things that 14 year olds could be doing.

Like the 14 year old down the street from us who likes to break into houses with his friends after dark.

But seriously, if it is really keeping your baby up, perhaps it's time to have a chat with their parents. But be prepared for them to be defensive.

 

[cheermom1]

I see both sides to this. All you can do is talk to the parents about the noise not about them being out so late. Some kids don't require that much sleep. mine doesn't but my step sons do. I know them well enough to know this about them. they may know their kids well enough to know they may not need that much sleep. But really we don;t know. I know what I'd do if i were their parents but we don;pt know what they would do. I'd make mine be quiet and if they can't they lost the privilege of being outside till they can.

Sorry you are going through that, I know I can't sleep if there is any noise.

 

[SDFgirl]

I certainly understand your frustration about your DD's window, but I don't think that's an unreasonable hour for kids to be out.

When my DDs are that age, I think I'll be thrilled if they're playing with their friends in the backyard.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I think regular (day time) noise levels are perfectly fine outside until at least 9:00 and really more likely 10:00. If it gets later than that I can see asking them to please keep the volume level down. I would actually as the KIDS first. It does not sound like they are doing anything wrong--no need to go to the parents =--just ask nicely if they would mind keeping it down after 10 so you can get some sleep.
Your DD will probably get used to the noise quickly and then be able to sleep through it.
As far as what is too late on a school night that varies from kid to kid. Some kids need more sleep than others. Some have to get up earlier than others for school. Some are homeschooled and can sleep in if needed/wanted. I doubt many 14 year olds are asleep before 10 or 11. I think being out playing with friends is much better than inside watching TV or playing on a computer.

 

[ICF]

I think 8:30 - 9 is fine....especially as the days get longer and school will be out soon.

However, as it goes past that I can see where it could get annoying (if they are being really loud), but all you can do is talk to the parents to see if they can stop by 9.

However, depending on your relationship with the neighbor they may not care that it's bothering you or your baby, since they aren't really doing anything "wrong" by playing outside.

 

[kwelch10377]

I don't think that is that late, I could see if it was 11-12 at night. You can check to see if the town you live in has a noise ordinance.

It wouldn't hurt talking to the parents, but honestly they are playing in their yard. They could be very nice about it and ask the kids to try and keep it down, but if you are the only person complaining about it they could also blow you off and see you as someone who wants the kids in the neighbor hood to be quiet by XX time just because you and your daughter go to bed at that time.

My suggestion is to look at ways that you can handle the issue personally, i.e. get some ear plus, move you or your daughters bedroom to the front of the house.

 

[MushyMushy]

I don't see a problem with them being in their backyard until 9-10 like that. Running the streets, not so much, but just hanging out in their yard is fine.

Have you thought about getting a white noise machine? Also, have you checked your local noise ordinance? I know ours is that you have to have quiet outdoors from 11pm to 7 am. The ordinance is pretty specific about noise levels, and goes into things like dogs barking, loud cars, people conversing, etc. You might want to check into yours.

 

[mjkacmom]

Our yard backs up to a lane, and there is a house on the other side of the lane with a garage that they converted into teen space (ping pong, couch, etc.). When they were teens, they'd have 8 - 10 kids there on weekends, and be out there until midnight, and about 9 during the week. I was concerned, because one of my kid's bedrooms was back there. Not once was she woken!

They're good kids, having fun (and playing lots of basketball). There is a good chance your child will be able to sleep through it. Mine had a white noise machine, so that probably helped. I see nothing wrong with kids being outside at 9 pm on a school night - better than being inside watching TV.

Edited to add, I see now that this is your first child, and you are probably just now opening the windows. I remember cringing when noise was happening when my first baby was napping or sleeping - I cursed the ice cream man and the recyling truck! Don't worry - babies do sleep through lots of noise! When your kids are teens, you will laugh at thinking kids playing outside at 9 pm bothered you.

 

[Tinkmom75]

It is not too late. They are kids having fun and not getting into trouble in their own back yard.

 

[marcyinPA]

I say invest in a white noise machine for your baby's room.

While I normally tell my boys to be more quiet at night, it's not uncommon for them to be outside playing until 9 or 10 pm when the weather is warm and school is out.

And I also agree with the PP who said that babies can sleep through a lot of noise! Mine slept through the church bells from the church across the street, which chime every hour from 9 am- 9pm, and play hymns at noon and at 6 pm! If you make things quiet all the time so the baby can sleep, you're going to drive yourself crazy!

 

[Silent1CB]

Our neighborhood has a 9pm noise curfew.

 

[eliza61]

Around here in the summer time, it does not get dark until 8 pm so 9:00 pm is not unusal for kids to be goofing off. I give my 16 year old a 10 pm be at home curfew but I generally don't let him just "hang" out, he has to have a specific destination (like a friends house). after 10 he's inside.

 

[Allison]

That's not too late.

 

[mickey&minnie04]

Saturday night I was in bed trying to sleep when I heard a wierd noise outside, I looked out the window to see my neighbors 2 kids riding their big wheels up and down the sidewalk ( the plastic wheels were making that distinctive noise of plastic rolling down the walkway ) at 11:30 pm!! These kids are only maybe 8 & 6. I couldn't see the mother but could hear her so I'm guessing she was sitting on her porch watching them. At least I hope she was!!

 

[mumom95]

I'd say anything before 10:00 pm is acceptable, and probably 11:00 pm on the weekends.

I really enjoy listening to kids playing outside in the warm weather. Gives me that whole life is happy and care free kind of feeling.

Like others said, I would invest in a white noise machine. Your baby will get used to it and probably become a better sleeper after they get used to sleeping through some noise.

 

[LuvLDM]

It is not too late. They are kids having fun and not getting into trouble in their own back yard.

Agreed.
As other posters have mentioned, a white noise machine may be helpful

 

[marlynnp]

How late is too late...

...5 minutes after your mom yells to get in the house

 

[The Mystery Machine]

For teens that are 12 and 14? Not too late. On a school night I would say anything past 10pm is too late.

Although as school winds down kids tend to be out later. And in the summer they hang out late because it is too hot during the day.

 

[englishteacha]

If it makes you feel any better, I lived in a house near the fire station when I was a baby. Not once did the fire trucks barrelling out of the fire station, sirens going, wake me up!

I think playing outside till 9-10 is fine, but if they are very rowdy or noisy, it's also fine to politely ask them to keep it down a bit. Kids are actually pretty considerate if there's a reason to do something, such as the baby next door needing to sleep...or the mommy of the baby needing sleep! If you're just being a killjoy, they will get louder.