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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Courtney Pochin

Mum puzzled after neighbour complains about kids playing in garden 'too early'

When you're trying to enjoy a lie-in of a weekend morning, the last thing you want is for your neighbour to get out the lawn mower or for their children to be screaming outside your bedroom window.

But what time is acceptable to do these sorts of things?

This is a debate that's been sparked online after a mum received a message from one of her neighbours about her children being out in their back garden too early.

The woman was clearly puzzled by the complaint and has since turned to the internet for some much-needed advice, to find out what time her kids should go out to play.

The neighbour wants the kids to stop going outside so early (stock image) (Getty Images)

Writing on the Am I Being Unreasonable forum on Babycentre, the unnamed parent said: "Kids playing out in the morning, how early is too early?

"I let my kids in back garden about 8am-8:30am.

"I had a neighbour message me [and] ask me to stop letting them play out too early.

"Am I being unreasonable to let them out at this time?"

People had conflicting views about the situation, with some saying it is "a bit early" but others not seeing an issue.

One person replied: "I'd say young kids playing out at 8am on a weekend morning is a bit early yes."

Another said: "I let mine out after 9.30 on the weekend. Sunday is my only day for a lie-in. I've worked hard to get my own kids to leave me alone for anything other than an emergency till 9am. I don't want to be woken up by someone else's kids."

A third wrote: "Yeah I'd say that's a bit early. I'd probably let mine go outside after about 10am at the weekend."

While a different user added: "I don't think you're being unreasonable at that time - it's your garden and in the height of summer it's cooler to let them play out early rather than later on. How old are your kids? Can you tell them to play quietly for a bit?"

Someone else agreed, saying: "I agree with this to be honest, I am surrounded by elderly neighbours but they're more than happy to let their dogs out to bark all morning and to get their classic cars out and get them running which is loud and stinks of petrol fumes lol.

"I'd definitely let mine out in the garden at half 8, he gets up at about 6am so by 8am he's full of energy and could do with a run around and a climb on his climbing frame. I might encourage him away from the trampoline because of the noise of the springs at that time in the morning but I think a child generally playing in the garden isn't going to make that much noise (certainly not enough to match my neighbours anyway) plus it's much cooler in the morning so he's better getting it out of his system then so he's not bouncing off the walls when he can't go out at midday because it's too hot!"

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

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