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Moms Everywhere Are Applauding Woman’s Perfect Response To Neighbor’s Anonymous Complaint

When Kristen Munsell Tripp received an anonymous complaint about her kids making noise in her back yard, she responded with a public letter that has moms everywhere shouting, “Amen, sister!” in solidarity.

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Screenshot: Kristen Munsell Tripp Facebook

Tripp responded by addressing her neighbor’s accusations while also defending her children’s right to make age-appropriate noise:

Here’s what I’ve observed this summer- 12 children have ridden their bikes, ripsticks, and scooters up and down the road. They’ve climbed trees, and played tag in the yard. They’ve jumped on the trampoline and swam in our backyard pool. They’ve built forts in the woods and played capture the flag. They’ve played backyard dodgeball games and passed footballs, baseballs, and soccer balls. They’ve used the neighbor girl’s ipad to make really awesome and creative movies together, involving villains, magic, and heroes and heroines. As a family, we have invited other friends, family, and neighbors over to swim in the pool, cook out with us, roast marshmallows, and play volleyball. It was an open invitation- you would have been more than welcome to join us. During those activities, the levels of volume were appropriate to the children’s activities, and overly obnoxious noises were discouraged- I know this because I personally find excessive screeching and screaming irritating and put the kibosh on it when it occurs…

…You are also correct in thinking that we care how we impact the neighborhood. Boy, we sure do! We have made it our goal to be a safe, welcoming place for our children and all the children of the neighborhood to play, be creative, get exercise, and enjoy the outdoors instead of being addicted to screens. We try to extend hospitality to those around us, and enjoy friendships with the neighbors who allow us to. And we would certainly never prevent a neighbor from enjoying their home or yard. Unfortunately, we can not stop our neighbors from preventing *themselves* from enjoying their home or yard.

I’m afraid that my above response is unlikely to bring you much satisfaction, as I am not willing to muzzle my children or keep them indoors all summer. I value my own sanity at least as much as I value yours, after all. But take hope, dear anonymous neighbor- school and sports are almost back in session and you won’t have to put up with these little terrorists for much longer.

You can read the full response here.

Here’s why I love Kristen Munsell Tripp: She said exactly what we all want to say in that situation. Kids make noise–it’s a fact of life. Rather than getting annoyed when children are loud, we should recognize that a noisy yard is a sign that young people are exercising, having fun, and learning how to interact with their peers.

It’s a sign of a caring mom who doesn’t want to silence her kids with excessive screen time.

It’s a sign of social development.

It’s a sign that those little people are working hard at the business of friendship and will one day grow up to be empathetic adults rather than bitter jerks who write ridiculous anonymous complaint letters.

Kristen, I don’t know you, but you are my new hero. Tonight I’ll raise my glass to you, and my silent middle finger to your horrid neighbor.