A mother is facing a hefty fine for not being able to keep her energetic 19-month-old son quiet. Anyone who has raised a toddler knows the challenges that come with it. They resist naps, mealtimes can be a struggle, and they often express their feelings loudly. This is the reality for many parents navigating the so-called “terrible twos.” However, one Australian mother is dealing with an added layer of stress: a potential $550 fine from her apartment complex if she can’t silence her little one.
33-year-old Sarah Johnson took to social media after receiving an alarming letter from her strata management, which oversees the multilevel apartment building where she lives. In her post, she expressed feelings of intimidation from the strata company, which threatened to take legal action unless she can manage her toddler’s noise levels. The letter stated that multiple neighbors had complained about the “shouting and screaming” coming from her unit.
“It has come to our attention that excessive noise, specifically from your child’s shouting and screaming, is regularly heard from your apartment, both early in the morning and late at night. This is disturbing other residents, and you are in violation of the strata by-laws,” the correspondence read. “Please ensure your child does not create excessive noise moving forward. Be considerate of other residents and keep noise levels minimal at all times.”
The idea of silencing a 19-month-old “immediately and into the future” is laughable. If there were a magical way to achieve that, Sarah could be a billionaire living in her dream home, far from the complaints of neighbors who expect absolute silence from children.
As Sarah prepares for the arrival of her second child next month, she is grappling with the challenges of parenting a toddler while also expecting. “We’re trying our best and are aware that we live in a city with neighbors. We keep the windows shut, but I really don’t know what else we can do,” she shared. “We’re not making noise at parties or outside; he’s just a toddler. There are other kids in the building, but they are older.”
Sure, noisy toddlers can be annoying, but they are not the only noise-makers in apartment living. Everyone has their challenges, whether it’s an elderly neighbor who blasts their TV or a dog that won’t stop barking. The reality of urban living is that peace and quiet can be hard to come by.
Adding stress to a mother who is nine months pregnant because her toddler is loud seems excessive. While there are times when discipline can be effective, expecting a parent to completely silence a toddler is unreasonable and unfair.
For those interested in more insights on parenting, check out this post on home insemination for additional resources. And if you’re looking for expert advice on conception, Make A Mom is a great authority on the topic. For more information on pregnancy and fertility issues, visit Science Daily, which offers excellent resources.
In summary, Sarah’s experience highlights the challenges of parenting toddlers in shared living spaces, especially when faced with unreasonable expectations regarding noise levels.