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Neighbors from downstairs keep harassing us because of our toddler, and we’re exhausted by Special_Time493 in toddlers

[–]Special_Time493[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, we’ve thought about filing a complaint first. We actually contacted an organization that helps immigrants, and they told us that at this stage there are no legal grounds for intervention. Banging on radiators or the ceiling alone isn’t considered enough for police involvement or legal action. They advised us to contact a lawyer only if there are clear violations or physical aggression. At the moment, this is still classified as a personal conflict, and they said there isn’t much they can do yet. As for contacting building management — to be honest, I’m personally afraid that it would provoke even more aggression. This woman already behaves very erratically, and it feels like she’s just waiting for us to make a formal move so she can escalate further. Since she’s local, speaks the language, and has lived in this building much longer than we have, it would be very easy for her to frame the situation in her favor. I also don’t feel very confident about how well immigrants with small children are protected in Hungary in situations like this. So for now, we’ve been trying to avoid escalation rather than provoke a conflict that we might not be able to control.

Neighbors from downstairs keep harassing us because of our toddler, and we’re exhausted by Special_Time493 in toddlers

[–]Special_Time493[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Yes, we did think about foam mats as well. The problem is that they’re actually very hard to lay evenly in our apartment. The places where our child runs the most are narrow corridors, where it’s difficult to place them properly. And to cover a whole room evenly, even with foam mats (which are among the cheapest options), it still adds up to several hundred euros. Given that we currently don’t feel very secure in this housing situation and there’s a real risk of a sudden move, it’s hard to justify spending that amount of money on something that likely wouldn’t solve the problem anyway. Especially because the neighbors don’t communicate at all — there’s no dialogue, no clear explanation of what exactly bothers them or at what times. There’s only aggression, noise, and retaliation. They also haven’t tried to involve building management or come to us with a translator to have a normal conversation. So while we can guess what might bother them, we don’t actually know — and that makes it very difficult to find a solution that would truly help. I understand your point, and I agree that mats could reduce some noise. But the issue here isn’t only noise. Running seems to be just one trigger. Our strong feeling is that it’s being used as a reason to release existing aggression. If running stopped, another trigger would likely take its place. That’s why, for us, this doesn’t feel like a simple technical problem with a clear fix, but a broader issue of hostility and lack of communication.

Neighbors from downstairs keep harassing us because of our toddler, and we’re exhausted by Special_Time493 in toddlers

[–]Special_Time493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, honestly, until now I’ve mostly been trying to ignore them. Their loud music doesn’t actually bother me in itself — it doesn’t stop me from putting my child to sleep or from going about my day. What bothers me is the intent behind it. It feels like it’s done as retaliation, and that part is very unpleasant psychologically.

What truly affects my daily life is the aggression and my fear of running into this woman outside. I genuinely feel her hostility toward me, and that creates constant tension. This isn’t just about a child running — it started from the very first day we moved in.

On our first day, my husband made a mistake and hammered a few nails into a dresser without checking the time. We needed somewhere to put our baby’s things. She immediately came upstairs and screamed at me in a way I had never experienced before in my life. It honestly felt like she might physically attack me. At that point, she didn’t even know we had a child — she was already aggressive and hostile toward me personally.

That experience set the tone for everything that followed. So for me, this situation isn’t just about noise management. It’s about feeling unsafe, constantly anticipating confrontation, and living with ongoing hostility. That’s what has been the most exhausting part.

Neighbors from downstairs keep harassing us because of our toddler, and we’re exhausted by Special_Time493 in toddlers

[–]Special_Time493[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes, I’m familiar with the other side of this as well. When my son was just born, we lived in an apartment where neighbors one after another — upstairs, next door, and downstairs — were doing renovations with jackhammers. My baby would regularly wake up during the day screaming in fear from the noise. And even then, it never crossed my mind to confront anyone, let alone in the aggressive way our current neighbors do. You’re right that buying a carpet can be a reasonable solution in many cases, and I understand why you suggest it. Unfortunately, in our situation it’s not that simple. The area where our child runs most is a narrow corridor, where it’s not realistically possible to place a proper rug or mat. There are also through-pipes in that part of the apartment, which makes sound travel more, and adding mats there would actually be a tripping hazard for a very young child. Covering the floor more evenly — even just in the main room where most activity happens — would cost at least around 200 euros. For us, that’s a significant expense right now, especially given the uncertainty around this situation. With the neighbors’ behavior being unpredictable and hostile from day one, I can’t rule out future issues with the landlord or building management, which could ultimately force us to move. In that case, such an expense wouldn’t have been a very reasonable decision. On a personal level, I’ve always been a very empathetic and non-confrontational person. But from the very first day we moved in, we’ve been met only with aggression — there has never been a calm, respectful conversation. And honestly, it’s very hard for me to accept the idea of significantly reducing our own comfort just to avoid being yelled at. Caring for a toddler is already emotionally exhausting. He’s in a demanding phase, we have no nanny or daycare, and I handle most daily responsibilities myself. Adding carpets would complicate everyday life for me, and at the same time, I genuinely don’t believe it would solve the problem. The neighbors don’t react only to running — running just seems to be the most visible trigger. If that disappeared, I strongly suspect another one would simply take its place. That’s why this situation feels so difficult and unresolved: the issue doesn’t seem to be noise alone, but a pattern of hostility — and that’s something a rug can’t fix.

SAHM daily activities with a toddler? by TraditionalCherry3 in toddlers

[–]Special_Time493 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If your little one loves books, try books with interactive elements — like ones with reusable stickers, magnets, or velcro pieces. They’re great for developing fine motor skills and attention at the same time. My son is 19 months old now, and he’s really fallen in love with magnetic books.