What's a suitable punishment for my devil child and her friend?

[neolara]

DD (just 4) has a friend around to play. I hear them giggling happily through the baby monitor and think all is going well. Then I hear them calling me.

When I go up, I find they have spread the contents of a huge tub of heavy duty moisturiser (for treating eczema so very sticky, but not steroid based) over the floor, the doll, the train track, the chair (wood and fabric) and her brother's cot. And also themselves. They are both giggling wildly.

I am NOT amused.

So what do you think is a suitable punishment? They knew they shouldn't have done it, because the called me but then hid.

[Romy7]

clear up?

i think it is one of those checklist things '25 things to do before you start school' - doubt they'll bother again - it'll be onto 'give each other a haircut with the paper scissors' next...

[desperatehousewifetoo]

Give them a bowl of water and washing up liquid and make them wash all the things that they can.

You'll obviously have to do most of it tho. They'll probably actually enjoy it but will keep them out of mischief whilst you sort everything out.

[juuule]

No punishment apart from 'oooh you know you shouldn't have done that. Shall we clean up now'.

[VictorianSqualor]

Natural consequence.
They must clean it up and then they have to sit downstairs quietly in your eyesight so you can see they aren't doing anything more.

[HaventSleptForAYear]

what VS said.

[dropinthe]

They MUST clear it up themselves(as best as 4 year olds can)-its what they will have to do at pre-school,no?

[alardi]

You left a pair of 4yos unsupervised & that's the worse they got up to?

[SoupDragon]

You left it within their reach so you are partly to blame.

[JonahTakalua]

Be thankful they didn't eat it.

Involve them in the clearing up process, express your disappointment, and move on.

[juuule]

But dropinthe, 2 4yos to clean up moisturiser, by themselves..yikes. It will be all over everything (incl all the stuff that's not already covered).

They've had fun. They know they shouldn't have done it. Remind them sternly they shouldn't have done it. Get them to help with some of the cleaning up. Make a note for yourself not to leave cream (or anything else they shouldn't have) within reach of 4yos.

[dropinthe]

You are right-supervision is required but they need to feel the responsibilty of the consequences of their actions.

And don't leave the cream out next time!!!!

[HonoriaGlossop]

agree with juuule, let them 'help' but they won't be able to do it alone. VS is right, the natural consequence is exactly what she said - bit of helping, then losing the right to play out of your eye-line for the rest of the day.

I guess some kids are more to be trusted than others; I couldn't leave ds for more than a few minutes when he was just four. At five and now six, he can be left playing alone or with others for quite long periods. But not at just 4. I guess you know now neolara that your dd needs a bit more time being supervised!

[savoycabbage]

Mine put sudacreme in her hair............it took weeks to come out and she looked like the bloke with 'soul glow' in his hair in 'Coming to America'.