Let’s get one thing straight before we get into the nuts and bolts of this post - kids are noisy. It’s in their nature, and you shouldn’t try to curb their instincts too much. However, at the same time, we all have neighbours to consider, as well as family members who might need a little peace every now and again. With this in mind, what can you do to encourage your children to be a little...well, quieter? Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you might want to consider.

Soundproofing

Now, soundproofing your home might seem like an overreaction. But we’re not talking about proper, music studio-style soundproofing, which is the next best thing to creating a vacuum. But there are a variety of things you can do to dampen the sound that travels around your home - and more importantly, next door to your neighbours. Start with carpeting your home as much as possible - and don’t forget to underlay. You could even use cork boards on your walls before decorating them. In fact, if you are considering doing stuff to your walls, try getting cavity wall insulation. Not only will it dampen the sound coming out of your home, but you will save on energy bills, too.

Communication

The more your kids start to shout, the more tempting it is to shout back, in an attempt to attract their attention. Try to avoid doing this, as you will just encourage them to scream even louder than before. Instead, try whispering. Your little ones are always interested in what you say and love the somewhat conspiratorial act of a mere whisper. Try it - you might be surprised at how much more effective it is than shouting at full volume. Failing that, interrupt incidents of noise by tempting your kids with quiet activities such as art and crafts. 

Defeating the bangers

Kids love to bang and crash whatever they can get away with - or can find. It’s adorable - at first. But it will soon start grating on your already shredded nerves soon enough. So, consider having a rearrangement of your kitchen utensils, storing noisy pans and anything that can be used as drumstick well out of reach. Soft close drawer runners and cupboard stops are good ideas, too - not only will they reduce banging drawers, but they are also a lot safer for preventing trapped finger accidents.

Talk to the neighbours

The simple fact is that if you have snarky neighbours, nothing you can do to reduce your children’s noise levels will suffice. Some people just expect miracles, and the only way to deal with them is to communicate as best as you possibly can. Tell them you appreciate their desire for a little more peace and quiet, and make it clear you are doing everything in your power to change it. But short of using gaffer tape and restraints on your kids, they are never going to be silent - and there needs to be a little bit of leeway coming from your neighbours, too.

Do you have noise problems due to kids? If so, how do you try and keep things down a little? Share your experiences, and feel free to leave any advice!