I feel your frustration. I am writing this after being awoken by the 4 year old running upstairs (notice the time of post - 2:30 am) and have sought the counsel of many people on this topic -- friends with kids (my husband and i don't yet have children), sound technicians, people who were raised in brownstones. Overall, the consensus is generally that while kids need to run / play, there is a need to teach the child that they live in an apartment and that their behavior affects the quality of the life of the other people in the apartment.
Unfortunately, a small fraction of people who i spoke to - including the people who live about us and some who responded in this forum - truly believe that there's no way to stop kids from running. I have heard from and witnessed the parenting of enough people to know that kids can and do, in fact, learn how to behave when given proper boundaries.
I wish I had something more helpful, but from what I've gleaned on this subject, soundproofing is incredibly expensive and much more effective on the floor above (rather than the drop ceiling) and I think it's doubtful that neighbors who aren't considerate enough to put down carpets are going to go for anything re-constructive. and even with the carpeting (our neighbors have some area rugs, but bare floors in other places) the truth is that it makes marginal difference for loud impact noise.
You have the right to keep articulating your concerns -- It sounds like you've done so with respect and understanding. If they continue to be unresponsive, I would take it to the condo board. As someone who has also confronted my neighbors with this issue, I really understand your wanting to keep the good will. I hope your situation improves. After multiple attempts to improve this situation, I am just trying to hang in and remind myself this won't be forever. Eventually the kid will outgrow the running, they'll move, or we'll move...
I feel your frustration. I am writing this after being awoken by the 4 year old running upstairs (notice the time of post - 2:30 am) and have sought the counsel of many people on this topic -- friends with kids (my husband and i don't yet have children), sound technicians, people who were raised in brownstones. Overall, the consensus is generally that while kids need to run / play, there is a need to teach the child that they live in an apartment and that their behavior affects the quality of the life of the other people in the apartment.
Unfortunately, a small fraction of people who i spoke to - including the people who live about us and some who responded in this forum - truly believe that there's no way to stop kids from running. I have heard from and witnessed the parenting of enough people to know that kids can and do, in fact, learn how to behave when given proper boundaries.
I wish I had something more helpful, but from what I've gleaned on this subject, soundproofing is incredibly expensive and much more effective on the floor above (rather than the drop ceiling) and I think it's doubtful that neighbors who aren't considerate enough to put down carpets are going to go for anything re-constructive. and even with the carpeting (our neighbors have some area rugs, but bare floors in other places) the truth is that it makes marginal difference for loud impact noise.
You have the right to keep articulating your concerns -- It sounds like you've done so with respect and understanding. If they continue to be unresponsive, I would take it to the condo board. As someone who has also confronted my neighbors with this issue, I really understand your wanting to keep the good will. I hope your situation improves. After multiple attempts to improve this situation, I am just trying to hang in and remind myself this won't be forever. Eventually the kid will outgrow the running, they'll move, or we'll move...
Until then....
Posted by: ajhope78 at September 17, 2009 2:38 AM in response to Running Child Upstairs