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AIBU?

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AIBU to not want childs friends to walk into my house everyday

57 replies

underthesea123 · 19/01/2022 15:09

AIBU ..but everyday (give or take a day here or there) dd friends wander back with us. One lives closer and its sort of on route so cant avoid our house, the other friend has to travel by car but they have to park nearby our house - but often choose to then walk past their car to walk down to the outside of my teeny house - and choose to have conversations with each other (parents this is) whilst the kids all play in my teeny front garden.
Often the kids all want to go inside my house now at no point do the parents check with me if this is ok. At no point do they ask what I think. They just speak to their own child and say ok - give a time limit and never stick to it. In the summer they all wandered through the house to the back garden which then left me constantly walking through to check while the 2 parents chat to each other and let me get stressed - some days this has been 20 mins before ive managed to hoof them out.

Some days the kids are asking at the top of the street - and once again im not even considered - they just assume im okay with it and say ok but just 5 minutes when we all know its never 5 minutes.

Recently one parent has been letting themselves into the house - my house isnt a mess but on occassion it just has some family clutter that if I have guests would be tidied up a bit more. This then makes me feel on edge and i just find it rude as said parent isnt particularly chatty and just seems to want to get in from outside more than be friendly and have a cuppa.

I cant do this to either of the other parents - as one is a car distance and the other means im walking past my house and out the way.

I became a sahm during pandemic and the others are working and usually do go home to continue work. i feel like since i've become a sahm they think I have all the time in the world to accomodate their darling children. If we get out sooner and walk home alone I have even witnessed the other 2 stopping outside mine for chit chats. I just find it all a bit bizarre.

If it was occasional fair enough but its happening almost daily and I just like to get in sort kids out and prep tea - or get ready for after school activities but I equally dont feel I should be put in this position to have to say not today when the parents don't consider me?

OP posts:
Hillarious · 19/01/2022 15:36

Do as @cabingirl suggests, and every now and again invite them in and enjoy their company.

Aquamarine1029 · 19/01/2022 15:34

FGS, op, stop being such a doormat. You don't need any reason at all to say no. "Sorry, no playing inside today. See you later." That's all you need to say.

Inthesameboatatmo · 19/01/2022 15:33

Speak up for God's sake. They are treating your house like a drop in centre. Get some boundaries honestly.

cabingirl · 19/01/2022 15:32

You need to break the habit/pattern.

  • for 2 days in a row don't walk with them - either go somewhere else after school or stay to talk to teacher etc
  • for the next 3 days do a combination of saying you have to be somewhere / something to do and a firm goodbye.

So for the next five days don't let the kids in the house at all. Don't unlock your door until you have made it clear you are busy.

If after five days the other parents haven't got the hint then you might even have to be firmer and more direct with them.

underthesea123 · 19/01/2022 15:31

I have tried and some days I have had success at the top of the street stating 'we're busy doing...' But I hate lying so on a day when we haven't got actual plans and find it really hard to just say no - some days I have actually said no and no one has listened to me and walked down anyway Shock due to pandemic there's been some blissful weeks where either child/parent has been off isolating.
I'm going to try be more firm and see how long I last.
Sad part is I have had to have chats with kids - but the kids actually don't want them in daily they're finding it too much they've told me - my dd is a bit like me and not the loudest of the bunch so she can get easily overwhelmed. I'm not exactly setting a good example of standing my ground am I Blush

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 19/01/2022 15:23

You need to speak up. When you get to your day to the children as they approach your house 'not today sorry, we have stuff to do', smile and make your goodbyes, go inside and close the door firmly. Only stop for a chat on your terms, not theirs.

Woofwoofbarkbark · 19/01/2022 15:14

You either say something to them. Which is hard I know. But necessary.

Or you say "Bye, see you tomorrow" and shut the door on them every day. And hope they get the message.