I recently moved into a vintage two-story building with my sister and my 3-year-old daughter. We chose the first floor intentionally because of my active kid. At first, we struggled with nighttime screams, but I've managed to get that under control. However, my upstairs neighbors are now complaining about noise, insisting they can hear stomping from us through the insufficient insulation of the building. I've been working on minimizing noise and even bought a rug, but I'm feeling the pressure. I don't want to bother them, especially since they seem to think we're careless. I have a year-long lease, so moving isn't really an option. What can I do to lessen the noise and improve the situation?
3 Answers
Kids will be kids! You shouldn’t feel guilty about normal sounds. Communal living means a bit of noise, and honestly, they're likely overreacting. Certainly, you should be aware during quiet hours, but they can't expect silence all the time. If it really bugs them, they should go to the landlord instead of stressing you out. Focus on enjoying your time with your daughter, and don't let this get you down!
Right? Just enjoy your life and don’t let their complaints get to you!
Have you thought about getting foam tile mats? They’re thick and help absorb noise, especially for kids running around. You can find them online, and they come in various designs, so they'll look good in your apartment too. They really can make a difference!
You know what? You’re allowed to have a life! If they can hear your footsteps, that’s more reflective of the building’s poor insulation than your parenting. Maybe try walking around barefoot or in soft slippers to help a bit. But seriously, if they have a problem with normal living sounds, maybe they just need to chill out or invest in a white noise machine.
I totally agree! It's so ridiculous that people expect complete silence in shared spaces. They should just deal with it or get some noise-canceling headphones!
Exactly! It’s communal living. They need to understand a bit of noise is part of the deal.
Exactly! You’re doing your best as a parent. Anyone who’s been in a shared living situation knows what it’s like. Their complaints are likely more about the building than you.