Me and my husband recently had new neighbours move in next door, and are concerned about a baby that they have. They are a very young couple (perhaps 20 or so), and the baby is about a year old, give or take a couple of months.

They have lived there for about 3 weeks, and we have heard the most horrible arguments going on between them. Yelling, screaming, slamming doors, etc. That may go on for upward of 2 hours. We have experienced this 4 times or more, and although have no way of knowing whether the baby is in the house, are concerned about him.

I know this must be unhealthy mentally for the baby (and the parents no less) to be exposed to this kind of thing, but I am not sure exactly how to approach the situation. I have thought about calling police, but am concerned about the neighbours reaction because we are the only neighbours living close enough to hear what happens.

I wasn't sure where to post this question, as I am aware it's more of a social issue, but I am so concerned about what this little is going through emotionally.

Yikes that's a touchy situation. Especially since you are the only close neighbors, so if you say something to anyone, the finger could pointed right at you.

What's more important though? Awkward feelings between neighbors or the child's safety? If you feel there is real reason to be concerned, perhaps you could try talking to your neighbors yourselves. Tell them you can hear their fighting and are concerned for the child. Maybe they don't even realize it is out of hand and need to hear it from someone.
They could either take it really well and be appreciative that they have caring neighbors and be angry that you are "butting" in their business.

You could always call the authorities as well, though I don't know much about the law and how much they could interfere; probably would just talk to them as well unless there would be some other kind of abuse.

In any case I'm sure others here can give you some good advice on this issue.

I have thought about calling police, but am concerned about the neighbours reaction because we are the only neighbours living close enough to hear what happens.

I wasn't sure where to post this question, as I am aware it's more of a social issue, but I am so concerned about what this little is going through emotionally.Hello f:

Arguing isn't against the law, so the cops won't even come out. I'm glad you're concerned, but there's nothing you can do. There's no social agency that's going to rescue the little tyke. There's a lot of bad in the world. You can't fix most of it.

excon

Setting Personal Boundaries - protecting self (http://joy2meu.com/Personal_Boundaries.htm)

This is something you might read and put yourself in a position to directly approach the neighbor,IF,you want to seek a change in their behaviors.

Remember,for each action,there is an equal and opposite reaction.

You might be upset for the baby,maybe even for yourselves,but they will still react the way they want to,it may be difficult to accept the result.

I hope to hear more ,if you pursue this,

KBC