A Park Slope resident sent an anonymous letter to a neighbor complaining that their young daughters were too loud when they were playing in the garden and that they, as parents, were encouraging them too loudly.
The letter appeared on the Park Slope Moms Facebook page this month.
It begins with the neighbor identifying himself as follows: “Dear neighbors, I am an editor and writer who lives across the fence from you. I do most of my work in my garden. In good weather, I spend almost many hours here.’
The writer continues that they lived in affluent Park Slope, consistently ranked as one of New York’s best areas to raise children, for 30 years. They say that, aside from the occasional party, it was quiet.
The letter continues: “In these brownstone blocks, we each live within 50 feet of a dozen neighbors. Most people on this block generally understand that we have a responsibility to be considerate of our neighbors in how we conduct ourselves when we are in our yard. Minimizing annoying sources of noise is one way to show mutual respect.’
Park Slope is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in New York City, with a median household income of $129,570 for renters and a whopping $236,720 for homeowners.
The infamous letter that was posted on the Park Slope Moms Facebook page in July 2022. The writer of the letter remains anonymous
The Park Slope effluent is regularly named one of the safest places to raise children in New York City
The letter quickly becomes clear: “You may not have noticed, but quite often you are the only family within earshot of making a significant amount of noise outside.”
A neighbor helpfully offers suggestions on how the family can be more considerate of those who live nearby, saying, “When you’re in your yard, remember how easily your voices carry into your neighbors’ yards.”
Another suggestion: “Parents, please be quiet when you are playing outside with your children. I appreciate that you want to support your children in everything they do, but please refrain from shouting and shouting encouragement.’
Parents are also advised to monitor the volume of their own conversation. The neighbor writes: “Please minimize loud conversations with neighbors over the fence.”
The petitioner begins on a more thoughtful note at the end: “I understand that kids need to be kids, but please supervise your daughters so they don’t yell or scream. There are other options you can do to channel your children’s boisterous energy from nature without the sound of it filling other people’s yards.”
Continues: “Take them outside for a walk or take them to the playground or park where they can be as free as they want.”
The piece ends with a celebration of life in Park Slope: “Your family certainly has a right to enjoy your garden; it’s one of the blessings of living in Park Slope. Let us all rededicate ourselves by doing so in a way that balances our own desires with the desires of our neighbors.”
The conclusion reads: “While noise is an unavoidable aspect of city life, I hope we can all agree that our home is our personal haven in the city and that we all have a right to quiet enjoyment. Sincerely, your neighbors.”
The mother also said she felt guilty immediately after reading the letter, but after sharing it with other neighbors they expressed their outrage and she now feels conflicted
On the Park Slope Moms Facebook page, the letter became a big source of anger
Many were outraged that the author of the letter was angry at parents shouting words of support to their children
The mother, who named her children, ages 2 and 4, who posted a photo of the letter to a Facebook group, claims she is yelling at her children to behave in a way she doesn’t like. Mom wrote: “They tell me to stop praising them. What I needed today.”
She joked: “I have to scream for them to stop hurting themselves or killing each other.” She then asks other members of the group to weigh in on the question.
The mother also said she felt guilty immediately after reading the letter, but after sharing it with other neighbors they expressed their outrage and she now feels conflicted. She also posted it on her Instagram story and received at least 100 messages of support.
Unsurprisingly, the post didn’t go over well when it was posted on the Park Slope Moms page. One mother wrote: “This is a nice letter, but respectfully, screw them.” Mom went on to say that the complaining neighbor could always choose to work somewhere else.
Another person wrote: “T** them and keep shouting and shouting words of support.”
One mother noted that the complainant did not attach their name to the letter saying, “How rude.” She also said, “Go buy your children musical instruments, invite your neighbors to practice in the orchestra.”
Despite being named one of the best neighborhoods for families by the New York Post in August 2021, the New York Post reported in August 2021 that one elementary school in the area had lost its enrollment due to the Covid-19 pandemic. a third of students.
Park Slope parents even inspired Buzzfeed to create a list titled: “The 20 Most Annoying Things About Being a Park Slope Parent” as well as a humorous New Yorker article titled: “Park Slope Parents’ Fight Club.”
