A mother is facing a hefty fine for her inability to quiet her 19-month-old child. Anyone who has raised a toddler knows the trials that come with it. They resist sleep, mealtime can be a struggle, and their cries often seem to have no cause. The infamous “terrible twos” are indeed a reality, and if you’re navigating this challenging phase, consider yourself fortunate not to be in the shoes of one Australian woman who has been threatened with a $550 penalty if she cannot keep her toddler quiet.
This mother, 33-year-old Sarah Thompson, took to social media to express her frustration after receiving a letter from her apartment management, known as the strata. She claims she feels “bullied” by the company, which has warned her of legal action unless she can manage her son’s noise levels. The letter stated that neighbors had lodged complaints regarding “shouting and screaming” coming from her home, adding that the excessive noise was occurring from early morning until late at night.
“It has come to our attention that excessive noise from your child shouting and screaming is emanating from your apartment on a regular basis. This is disturbing other residents and you are therefore in violation of the strata scheme by-laws,” the notification stated. “Please ensure your child creates minimal noise immediately and in the future. Be mindful of your neighbors at all times.”
The expectation of silencing a 19-month-old “immediately and into the future” is laughable. If Sarah could find a way to make that happen, she’d likely be a millionaire living far from the ears of neighbors who believe a child can be muted at will. It’s common knowledge that kids don’t come with an off switch, and if they did, parenting would be exponentially easier.
Adding to her stress, Sarah is expecting her second child in a month. Many can empathize with the unique challenges of pregnancy while managing toddlerhood. “We do our best to keep the noise down. We’re aware we live in a city and have neighbors. We keep the windows shut. I’m not sure what more we can do,” she told reporters. “We’re not throwing parties, and we’re not out in the common area. He’s just a toddler, that’s what they do. There are other kids in the building, but they’re older.”
Yes, noisy toddlers can be vexing, but so can that elderly neighbor blasting their morning shows or the dog that barks incessantly down the hall. City living rarely guarantees peace and quiet. Stressing out a pregnant woman over her toddler’s noise levels is excessive. While discipline can be effective at times, expecting a mother to silence her young child is unreasonable and should not warrant legal action or fines.
For more information on parenting and pregnancy, you might consider visiting Healthline, which offers excellent resources. Also, if you’re interested in boosting fertility, check out our blog post on boost fertility supplements. For insights on the labor process, you can learn more about understanding baby crowning.
In summary, a mother in Australia is facing a $550 fine from her apartment management if she cannot control her toddler’s noise levels. The letter from the strata company claims that her child’s shouting and screaming is disturbing neighbors. While managing noise in an apartment setting is important, expecting a mother to silence a 19-month-old is unrealistic and adds unnecessary stress, especially as she prepares for another child.