Crying It Out In an Apartment (not really a debate)

[thefiregoddess]

Did you ever live in an apartment and let your kid(s) CIO?

I'm sitting in my apartment listening to one neighbors 18 month old SCREAM his brains out, for the last 4 hours now. Non stop. I can hear them turning up the TV and I can tell they aren't going in to comfort him, or check on him.

My other neighbors (18 month old is apartment next door, other one is above) are letting their 13 month old son SCREAM his brains out. This is now the fourth day in a row, and it usually goes on until about 4 in the morning. (and now I can hear him kicking the wall and mom threatening to 'beat his ass', which I'm guessing he did since hes now screaming like hes being murdered)

I want to go over to both of them and say listen you can parent how you want, but you need to be aware of your impact on your neighbors... its so rude. I get kids will cry and scream sometimes, but this is not just 'sometimes' anymore.

If you did CIO in an apartmnt, did you think of your neighbors? If you didnt CIO is it because in part because of your neighbors?

What would you do?

I don't really care if you are pro CIO or against, I didn't do it and your children are your business.

[Mehganh]

They don't sound very friendly. Lol. Well I hope it all works out. I'd probably say something too. Good luck momma! :)

Quoting thefiregoddess:

See thats why I'm trying to be patient. I understand CIO and since I'm usually up all night working (I get paid better at night, I work from home part time) it really doesnt interfere with my sleep or anything.

I NEVER hear these babies crying during the day and I know the 18 month olds mom is a SAHM.

I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt.. teething, sickness, temper tantrums, night terrors, CIO.. but after a few nights and the one 'beat your ass comment' from the one mom.. I really have to say I'm irritated and worried.

I may go over to the toddlers mom and just say hey, I just wanted to let you know I can hear your kiddo screaming, I hope hes alright. It doesnt really bother me, but I wanted to let you know in case your other neighbors do mind.

The younger one, I'm going to hope CPS will take care of that. IF it doesn't I'm going to the apartment manager, I'm not going over there. They aren't really friendly people. ;/

Quoting Mehganh:

I did. But never that long. And I didn't have neighbors in the area of apartments I lived at the time. Had I had neighbors I don't think I would have. But I would never have let it go on that long. EVER!

[nathans_mom407]

Quoting JoeMax:

I'm not, I'm in Southern Maryland. I was comparing how CPS works in SO MD to Baltimore and how much difference the area makes on what CPS will or won't do.

[bigmessylife]

I wonder if they would still feel so inclined to let their kids CIO if they knew how outsiders saw it.

[Anonymous]

I never did CIO nor lived in an apartment once I had kids. THANKFULLY. Sounds like your neighbors are inconsiderate assholes.

[ripemango]

it does seem like a denomination of CIO to me, but I agree that what the OP is describing is neglect.

Quoting louzannalady:

I would call CPS. That is not CIO, that is neglect. And yelling that they are going to "beat his ass" is not abuse per se, but something CPS would be interested to know to help this child.

[MilesOfSmiles7]

I live in an upstairs downstairs apt. We are downstairs. I did CIO with my son but I asked the neighbors of they could hear him and they said no. (his room is under their kitchen) also, I don't let him scream for hours the longest he ever cries is ten minutes. Clearly they're not using the CIO method they're just neglecting their children. Sorry you and those kids have to deal with their shitty parenting.

[CoolRelax]

To answer your last question: no.

It may be annoying as hell, but it's no different than if you had a neighbor who did anything inconsiderate - smoking indoors, loud sex, constant shouting.  CPS is there to protect children from serious neglect, not kinda-shoddy parents who won't rock them to sleep.  You may have better luck with your landlord. 

Quoting thefiregoddess:

Unfortunately where I live, CPS doesn't really do jack squat unless the parents are on drugs or sexual abuse is happening.

I'm about ready to call, I can't deal with it anymore. Mom said (I'm guessing she yelled it since I could hear it) 'Lay down or I'll beat your ass and you can cry some more'

They only have one child so I know they are talking to him. I'm not really sure CPS will do anything because I don't know their names and certainly have never witnessed them hit the child.

He just got quiet.. I'm guessing he fell asleep (I hope)

But is CPS really going to give a hoot about him crying it out for a few nights?

Quoting louzannalady:

I would call CPS. That is not CIO, that is neglect. And yelling that they are going to "beat his ass" is not abuse per se, but something CPS would be interested to know to help this child.

 

[Anonymous]

I CIO with my first when we moved to an apartment and he had his own room. Didn't care what the neighbors thought either. Then again I didn't let him just carry on for hours on end.