To never ever let dcs do painting again

[Edenviolet]

Ds1 7 is off school and was bored so I set up painting for him to do with dd2 4 and ds2 1. Lots of newspaper, not too much paint, it'll be fine I thought.

Dd said she wanted to do hand prints so I painted her hands, she looked at them and screamed "aaarrrrggghhh my hands are dirty" then cried till I washed it off. Whilst I was washing her hands ds2 fell off his chair and got paint all over himself and the carpet. He started crying and then decided it was more fun to paint with the water for rinsing the brushes between colours and flicked paint everywhere.

Ds1 wanted me to draw an Easter basket for him to paint but when I had done it he said it wasn't quite how it was in his head and got upset. It took three attempts to work out how he actually wanted it drawn.

Dd2 has started crying again, I am trying to clean up the mess they've made and she is screaming for daddy.

AIBU to never do painting with them again and just let them do it at school/pre school instead as it wasn't the nice fun activity it was meant to be?

[FarelyKnuts]

Painting, glitter, making play-doh, glue- ing endless bits of crap to other bits of crap... All lovely activities they can learn at pre-school. Makes it more fun for them see :o

[Pigletin]

In my family, painting, play doh and other similar activities are only allowed outside of the house (i.e. garden).

[Chocotrekkie]

I banned paint,glitter etc a long time ago from the house.

In the garden when it's warm is the only time they get to paint.

[ZingSweetApple]

mine never do painting in the house, only in the garden

no crayons either and only washable felt tip pens

[archibaldmonkeyface]

I agree with FarelyKnuts - all those crafty activities should be strictly confined to pre-school/playgroup!

[Stinklebell]

Painting is an activity for school in this house

They have a lovely art room, with paint and glitter galore, and a lovely art teacher who actually loves painting with small children.

Either that or out in the garden in the summer when I can hose them the patio down afterwards

[DeWe]

That's what school/preschool is for. I don't have to clear up the mess then.

[JennyOnAPlate]

I do allow painting in the house but only with a ratio of one adult per child! That's where you went wrong

[dogindisguise]

I rarely do painting. A lot of setting up and mess for 10
Minutes before DS gets bored. I'm glad they do these things at nursery.

[Littleen]

Wait until they're old/mature enough to do it properly :P

[sanschocolat]

Oh no! I think it's sad that so many people don't allow painting/crafts at home. But there again our house is old and shabby so it doesn't matter

We use a big plastic table with plastic tablecloth and (when necessary) a decorator's protective sheet on the floor. Much easier one to one though I admit!