naomie's Profile

I know how horribly stressful it is to live in this atmosphere and I am sorry for all of you. Here is my advice--do not sacrifice the wonder of this time to anyone for any reason. You will regret allowing this stress to color this time in your life. All babies cry and all parents need to sleep, worry less about your neighbors, more about your family. Your job is to take care of your baby, your neighbors can take care of themselves--that is not your job. I encourage you to do a few simple things to absorb more of the noise; taking some action might make a significant difference and will help you to believe that you are contributing to a solution for your neighbors. I would spend your energy enjoying your family and trying to relax about the complaints--I hate to tell you this but what is crying this year will be the early steps of your child next year. Babies cry and toddlers walk like elephants--it's the cycle of life. Get your thinking in order about this now so you don't waste precious time stressed out.

I totally stressed about soundproofing my son's room. My neighbors complained, ugh! It was awful. And then, guess what? They had a baby of their own two years later and said one day in passing, "Babies make so much noise! We had no idea!" Now they complain about the noises older kids make--I will always be two years ahead of them! I am sick that I have worried so much about my neighbors...my focus was in the wrong place. I know that now. Manage complaints as the come, be courteous, let them know you hear their concerns, but keep it in persepective. If cookies or beer seem in order, fine. When your baby cries let it be a signal to you to care for him/her and not to stress out because of your neighbor, you will be a better parent for keeping your focus on the well being of your family.