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!
Long ago I had an apartment with a kid upstairs who had hotwheels and used the little trike non-stop, except when he was using some kind of toy car that had to be charged up by rolling it a thousand times before releasing it to careen into the wall across the room. I was WAY childless and unmarried at that time, but I honestly really liked it. I was in a time of my life where NOTHING was much fun and it reminded me that some people could still have lots of it.
Am I insane for always having enjoyed waking up to kid sounds? I even liked the school in our back yard which woke us up for years at about 7:45 am with screams and ball sounds.
I guess I am just an asshole for suggesting vesnaspring to just try to learn to enjoy it.
Yes, watching yuppie parents discipline their children is rather fascinating. Once I saw a 2 year old kind of starting a tantrum, and his 4 year old sister ran over and grabbed his arms to “make him behave” which only got him even more worked up. The dad came over and said, “I know you’re trying to help, but let me do it.”
northsloperenter- but rob makes a good point. Even us childless folk have to deal with other people’s children and they affect us too, as per the OP post.
Chiming in as a parent: yes, the younger set needs to run around (it happens indoors, even if it happens outdoors), their little footfalls are astonishingly loud (they land with their whole foot), and it is not reasonable to expect anything else with a child under 5 or some special needs kids. Also, because bedtime is at 8, young children are usually at home after 5, to allow for dinner, bath, bedtime prep, etc.
That being said, the parents have an obligation to limit the annoyance caused by their childr(ren)’s natural tendencies. Hours will not work (see above). Carpet may work, and while many condo / cooop associations have an 80% coverage rule, I don’t think this is a law. Enforcement can be difficult, too. But if the family has an issue with carpets (they can be dusty), the playmats are an excellent idea.
The advice about how to approach the parent is good. While your previous approach didn’t sound too “confrontational,” taking a “help the child be able to run around without bothering anybody” tack might smooth his hackles and make it easier for him to hear your concerns.
Good luck.
rob — did you know wisdom and self righteousness are inversely correlated?
children aren’t that complex, northsloperenter. one doesnt need to have bred to “get” them. plus we all were children once.
*rob*
When I was a toddler – if my Mom received a complaint about me making my neighbor’s apt uninhabitable due to my obnoxiousness I would have been told once nicely that i should not run, and why i should not run in the apt.
If i then chose not to listen, my backside would have been tenderized by her hand.
nowadays it seems like “no madison, if you keep running no more organic soy chocolate milk for you”
“Some of these replies are unbelievable.”
I know. The number of childless people who know everything about children is unbelievable.
LOL snark. did you see the link i posted above? of that creepy looking man who looksl ike gargamel from the smurfs, slapped some woman’s child he didnt even know in a jersey Walmart in jersey!
*rob*