When our teenagers stayed outside in the garden after 10pm, our grumpy neighbors called the police

A mother-of-two has sparked debate after revealing her neighbors had called the police when her teens stayed outside in the garden after 10pm.

The woman attended the UK parenting forum Mamasnet to explain that neighbors have a “huge dislike” for their two young teenagers playing outside.

She said she had agreed with the couple that their children would be subject to a 10pm curfew at which time they would come inside.

However, after her teenagers stayed out “two minutes” after the deadline, she was horrified to find her neighbors “yelled at” her before calling the police.

However, other users were divided on the post. Some said they thought the family was “selfish” playing outside beyond the allotted time, while others claimed the neighbors were being unreasonable.

A mother of two turned to parenting forum Mumsnet for advice when her teenage children were violently berated by neighbors for playing in the garden two minutes after the agreed curfew

Sharing her post online, the woman wrote, “My kids who are young teenagers love being outside.” I recommend it to avoid being on screens too much.

“We’ve lived in our current house for almost three years – this is our third summer here.”

“Lately my neighbors (I only have neighbors on one side) have had a great dislike for playing in the backyard.

“I spoke to the Lord and we agreed on a mutually acceptable time for them to stop playing: 10pm.” I enforce this if they forget, but they are very aware of the deadline .”

She continued, “On Saturday, they went two minutes too far and were properly confronted by the neighbor.”

“I could hear the lady yelling at them that they were being disrespectful and should be in bed by 10pm.”

“My youngest was embarrassed and couldn’t apologize enough but was angry.

“The screaming got my attention, so I apologized too, but she said she was going to call the police because we were disturbing her peace.”

“She and her husband then spent the next 20 minutes yelling at each other.”

“Well the police showed up to talk to me today. Unfortunately we were outside but I saw them on my cameras.”

She asked, “What should I do?” I really don’t like arguing with anyone. I understand that we all have different tolerance levels.

“I want to discuss it with them, but without making it any worse or getting into a neighbor argument.”

She continued: “I’m almost tempted to say that if they let their dog out to bark from 6am onwards, or if they recycle their jar before 8am on a weekend, it’s beyond my tolerance limits, but I say nothing to keep the peace – But when I say that, does it look like a given?’

She sought advice on how to deal with the neighbors and also voiced her own grievances and how best to deal with them

And since she received nearly 230 comments in 24 hours, her dilemma proved particularly controversial.

Many at the site felt that the mother had been far too accommodating to the neighbors and should never have accepted that her children had to be inside by 10pm.

One supporter wrote: “You can make noise until 11pm and tell them to keep jogging.”

Similarly, one commenter wrote, ‘Why did you agree to a curfew in the first place? Tell them to keep jogging.’

A fourth person commented, “I wish people were aware that there is some noise level with the neighbors.”

“People seem to think they have a right to complete silence at a time of their choosing.”

Another commenter was equally critical of the surly neighbors and their insistence on a 10pm curfew.

They wrote: ‘FGS, the weather was unusually nice – let the children play.’ I thought 11pm was the end?’

Others, however, sided with the neighbors, arguing that 10pm was already far too late for teenagers to play outside, especially when ball games were involved.

The mother-of-two’s post received nearly 230 comments, showing opinions were divided as to who was right and who was wrong

One commenter was firm in his response: “I think you need to stop the ball games at 8:30/9:00 p.m.”

One added, “If they’re still playing and yelling at 10pm that’s bad form.” Most nights it’s probably antisocial and selfish.

“It doesn’t take a neighbor to be pushed over the edge to see that.”

Another was similarly determined, arguing that “10pm is too late” and also recommending setting the ballgame curfew at “8:30am” given that your neighbors are so sensitive to noise.

A fourth wrote: “Basketball and football especially at this time is really really annoying.”

“I imagine it’s really noisy and I would hate to live next door to you.”

However, another was more confused than anything, writing: “Young teenagers making noise while playing is weird and yes 10pm is too late.”

Meanwhile, another group of commenters focused on an entirely different issue, namely the fact that police had even responded to the neighbor couple’s call regarding the apparent disturbance.

One person was amazed the police came out and wrote: “The last thing the police would be interested in is teenagers playing in their yard.”

Another voiced his skepticism on the platform: “Are they very noisy in the garden?” Still, I can’t believe the police stood up for it.’

A third person in this camp simply wrote: “Where do you live that the police showed up for this on a warm weekend in Bosnia and Herzegovina?”