Running Child Upstairs
Hello. I have been living in my condo for 5 weeks. Immediately upon moving in, I realized that the child in the apartment above mine runs the length of the apartment–whose layout is the same as mine– anywhere from a few minutes to as many as 45 minutes at a time. About two weeks ago…
Hello. I have been living in my condo for 5 weeks. Immediately upon moving in, I realized that the child in the apartment above mine runs the length of the apartment–whose layout is the same as mine– anywhere from a few minutes to as many as 45 minutes at a time. About two weeks ago after having to listen to that for 45 minutes, I went upstairs, introduced myself and politely stated that running for 45 minutes non-stop was jarring and that I couldn’t even hear my TV. The father asked me what he wanted me to do. I told him that the solution was up to him and his wife. I remained polite but clear about the noise being unnerving. He insists on my giving him a solution. I noted that in cases like this carpeting seemed like the solution. He said, “I won’t install carpeting. Anyway, I don’t think it will matter.†I told him not be so negative after pushing for a solution. He wanted us to agree on a schedule. I said, “It’s obvious I’m not home all week from 8 am to 8 pm. However when I come home, I’d like to be able to relax and hear my TV or just read.†He said, “That seems reasonable.†For the most part, there hasn’t been running after 8 pm during the week. The thing is, the weekends are unbearable with that child. I came home on Sunday night around 5 pm and by 6 pm I had to put in earplugs. Ditto for tonight. What would be my next step? He has said NO to carpeting. Am I being unreasonable? Should I stay quite about that noise? Should I just go to the condo association? Try with him again? I’d like to get along with my neighbors but it has to be a two-way street. The only thing, I am obviously the one in the weaker position. Thank you!
moonboots might help too. i think they might be called marshmellow boots these days? i dont know. but you can hop around on hardwood floors with them and the sound wont be as bad.
i just did a search for you on ebay for moonboots but nothing good is really coming up, and the ones that do arent the things i have in mind.
*rob*
“It’s like you’re walking down a dimly lit block in Fort Greene listening to your i-pod…. sorry, wrong thread.”- lechacal
I guess this means you shouldn’t walk down your uncarpeted hallway listening to your ipod so that you can actually hear the noise your children are making? 🙂
…and by “finite limit” I don’t mean the upstairs neighbor shouldn’t do anything. Obviously there are some things the OP is in his rights to complain about. Like a drum set or a pogo stick. What I am saying is that a toddler running up and down the floor comes with the territory and if you don’t like it don’t live in a condo in Brooklyn.
quote:
2. Neighbor does not need to forbid child to run on weekends, and you need to accept that kids run, jump, make noise, etc.
um NO. running around an apartment making that kind of noise isnt acceptable. why are parents in this city so entitled? jesus. fine if kids can run, so can adults. hey adults lets all bang on the walls with pots and pans as well because adults do that and we are entitled to have fun.
*rob*
This reminds me of a property law case that I studied in law school. A while back there was a cattle feedlot in Arizona. Cow shit and flies literally everywhere, and a stink that went on for miles. It being Arizona, the golf course developments got closer and closer, until finally they were building new condos around fake little lakes and manicured golf courses right near the feedlot. Of course the new residents were shocked – SHOCKED – that they had to deal with the stench of cow manure and the flies. So they sued the owner of the feedlot for nuicance.
I’m not going to tell you how the case was decided, and ask the rest of the lawyers not to do so either. But I will point out that the OP moved into a condo (notorious for transmitting noise, especially the new construction) in Brooklyn (New York City’s nursery). I for one think there is a pretty finite limit on how far the parents should be expected to go to ensure the tranquility of the OP’s home. Carpets, fine, but that’s about it. Frankly, if you can’t hear your TV through the noise of kids running around above you you should have thought more carefully before moving into a condo in Brooklyn.
It’s like you’re walking down a dimly lit block in Fort Greene listening to your i-pod…. sorry, wrong thread.
i disagree – Thank you for your observation. So true!
orestes – “…move into a single family home.” – If it were only as easy as having a single family house left to us or bought for us.
Only in Brooklyn is being/not being a parent a political statement by definition.
“Biff, you calling me Corky? Where’s Dirty when u need him?”
If the dirty sandal fits…
“@Biff Champion: what’s so bad about a little noise in the bedroom…”
Nothing, unless it involves Mrs. C. screaming to get out!
@Biff Champion: what’s so bad about a little noise in the bedroom…
I did say, a lot of comments above, that a good strategy includes apologizing for being confrontational.
I said it because the response from the dad (shutting down, demanding that the OP present the solution) sounded like he at least perceived a conflict. I obviously don’t know whether there was a real conflict here. But even if the OP was totally friendly, if the dad perceived a conflict, then it makes sense to acknowledge it by apologizing.
I mean, what’s more important–being right or fixing the problem?
Biff, you calling me Corky? Where’s Dirty when u need him?