How to reply in German to complaining neighbours

Ok so I know the quiet kids thing has been discussed to death but I need some good one liners (nothing too rude yet!) to tell my neighbour where to go...

My kids - 2 boys aged 4 and 2 are quite noisy I'll give you that, but for her to suggest I need to take them to a park and not let them play in their own garden because they are ruining her peace and quiet is too much.

She has a thing about them shreiking - but the 2 year old can't talk so it's his only way of replying.

I usually keep them inside with the doors shut till around 3pm but it's now gone 4pm and I've just had a mouthful and feel completely powerless as to how to respond.

Any suggestions as to what I can say?

Thanks

I know there are laws stating the children are allowed to make certain levels of noise within an apartment. I would print it and highlight it and tape it to her door.

See if your lease states anything, or the house rules.

That said there are also certain time frames kids are not allowed to make noise and play outside I believe 1-3, not 100% though.

I'm aware of the quiet times - so generally they're not outside. We;re in a detached house so it's just when they're in the garden its a prob - but of course like today the weather's great and everybody wants to be out.

Quite frankly her smoking by my hedge makes me cross as it drifts into my garden - perhaps I should complain about that too!

I sure would.

Any good German would have called the polizei on her by now or at least complained to the hausmeister

Take your kids round to her, introduce them to her and explain to them in front of her, that they should keep the noise down or they will disturb this nice lady.
The next time they make the inevitable racket, she might feel less inclined to complain, seeing as you are all nice people and that.

If you're in a detached house, your boys can make all the noise they want until 10:00 p.m. From my cursory research at essen.de (here, for example), there's no Mittagsruhe for individuals aside from Sundays and holidays.

So feel free to tell her to take a flying feck at a rolling donut.

This genuinely isn't been antagonistic, but is it worth compromising a bit a taking them to the park for an hour or so. While I see why this situation would get your back up living in any community is always give and take, and you have said they are quite noisy. Another suggestion. If your two year old is communicating through shrieking have you thought about using baby sign language. It is based on Makaton (sp) and relies on big movements, and is very good for that stage when children get frustrated because they can't talk properly.
Ian's suggestion is good too. The thing is while you can legally make noise till ten, sometimes finding a way round it and making life a bit easier is better. Just my views.

Some info here http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/developme...nt/babysigning/

If she comes round again suggest she does your housework and prepares dinner for you while you go to the park with the boys.

"hau ab, schlampe" (Oh you said nothing too rude - then, 'abhauen sie bitte' )

I'll just add to this - they are not around in the mornings - big one at kiga little one fine on his own.

Then, they don't go out till after lunch - not till post the 3pm deadline

The come 5pm they're in for tea and bed - small one asleep by 6.30 other one doing quiet things inside.

Not sure really how much more time I can and ought to compromise on quite frankly!

To reiterate, the "quiet time" from 1-3 p.m. applies to industrial noise emissions only, not to residences (unless you're operating power gardening equipment or the like). It does not prevent your kids from playing in the yard.

The next time she comes around, just shrug your shoulders and roll your eyes in exasperation and say "Tja, Jungs - was will man machen?"

Then maybe she needs to compromise if its only a couple of hours. My mistake I got the impression they were round all day making noise.

Shall I come over for a few days with my Jack Russell? She loves playing with kids, and it involves lots of barking.

Probably the best response I've heard used by a parent is:
"I have gotten legal advice and been told that according to German law young children are allowed to play in their own backyard during the afternoon. Feel free to ask your own lawyer for his opinion."

You can't compromise and shouldn't need to. Neighbour is out of order - send her to the park instead.

Summer holidays are coming up - invite all their friends and send them all out to play in the garden from dawn til dusk - then she'll have something to complain about.

That's what I think as well. We were in a detached house in Germany, and ALL the kids in the neighborhood made lots of noise while outside in their gardens. It's what kids do.

I laughed at your shrieking comment... my son would shriek with joy (rarely, as he didn't much like DE compared to home)), and the Germans would complain. I guess they'd rather a grumpy kid.

He is quite happy to be home, where no one cares about his noise -- in fact, our next door neighbors now have chickens! Rooster noise, GASP!