smart choices
The thing is, make smart choices; not choices out of anger, but choices out of wisdom! What I mean by this is be able to back yourself up. For instance, if you have a video camera, walk out in plain view of the neighbors partying after 10:00 P.M. (WHEN MOST AREAS HAVE TO BE QUIET) and video tape their behavior and noise. If possible, tape the mother being around them while doing so... it makes a better case. This way, you can go directly to the police station and show them the tape and tell them what you are being subjected to and state that if they knowing ignore this, you will go to the newstation and tell them your story about how the police won't help you. You also have the tape to prove that the other kids were drinking and the parent can actually be sued by other parents for contributing to their alcohol consumption by knowingly ignoring the fact that under age drinking is going on on her property. I would want to know if my children were being allowed to drink at someone's house. I have four kids, three of them being teenage girls and I would never allow such behavior out of them! Of course, I try to keep a sense of faith in the Lord in them and so far, even though they aren't perfect, my kids have made the right decisions... Another thing you can do is post spot lights pointing straight at them that shine VERY brightly onto them when they are doing this partying. And, very early in the morning starting doing something, like mowing the yard or playing your stereo very loudly and let them get a taste of their own medicine and see what it's like to be totally annoyed beyond belief! I had this problem with my neighbors to the right side of me whenever they first moved in and one day I explaing to the wife how angry it made me and how I seriously considered posting spot lights and doing the exact things I suggested to you. I them explained to her that I meant them no harm, but I needed sleep and so did my children. I explained to her that I was trying to be Christian about this, but my flesh was angry and I apologized that I let my anger get the best of me, but they really weren't trying to "party to theirselves". After this conversation, believe it or not, they settled down a whole lot, then eventually quite all together. I did noticw, however, that I became consumed by their noise and therefore with my anger. I heard things I wouldn't have usually heard because I was "listening" for them to mess up. That has a way of taking you over and no one can be happy.