Dear Jido,
Ever since the schools closed in mid-March, our once quiet and peaceful neighborhood has become quite loud and rowdy. The children in the neighborhood, especially my neighbor’s kids, are very noisy and disturb our peace on a daily basis. I understand that each household has their hands full – and the kids need to get out of the house – but the situation just seems to be getting worse and is out of control. I have talked with their mother and explained to her that my husband and I like to take a nap in the afternoon. But she did not seem to care at all. She says they have a right to play and she will not ask them to tone down the noise. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated…
Frustrated by Noise
Dear Frustrated,
This is how I see it based on what you wrote:
Pluses Minuses
You have a house Your neighbor’s kids are noisy
You have a spouse Your neighbor is insensitive
You are healthy
You have beds
You live in a nice neighborhood
Your children are either well behaved or
are married living elsewhere
You have a few options:
1. Count your blessings
2. Change bedrooms
3. Sleep on the den couch
4. Go for a long walk before your afternoon nap to tire you out
5. Continue getting frustrated
I once told a gentleman, a lot older than I was at the time, “You have to take the good with the bad.” He said, “No, there doesn’t have to be bad.”
As I recall, he was always an angry man.
Grin and bear it. This too shall pass. Fifteen years from now you’ll dance at their weddings. And laugh about this.
Jido Zzzz