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Do you prefer your teens to have friends around your house or for them to socialise at their friends’?

22 replies

Chewingle · 07/03/2021 08:26

Sorry for somewhat obscure question but just trying to future proof home for teens.

If you have teens do you prefer your teens to come back home with friends so that at least you know where they are and that they’re safe BUT you have to deal with potential mess and noise

Or

So you prefer your teens to go around to friends houses so your home remains free of the inevitable noise and mess that follows teens and their friends?

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wellthatsunusual · 07/03/2021 08:27

I'd rather have them at my house.

But the rule of being a teenager is that you always prefer to go to your friends house. I remember it well, always thinking everyone else's place was more fun.

Chewingle · 07/03/2021 08:42

Thanks

The reason I ask is I’m exploring possibility of a garden room in the future, for the teens, so I think would be appealing to them ans friend plus we live very centrally and conveniently

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WhatTheActualFreshHell · 07/03/2021 09:07

We do 50/50.

My teen DD loves her friends garden room. I'm just having the garage converted to provide a decent teen space I can shut off from the rest of the house instead of them having to use her room.

notacooldad · 07/03/2021 09:12

I preferred a mixture of both but I knew the other parents.
Ds2 had a large space with several ga.ing chairs and his x bix and ps ...whatever it was.
He had/ still has a close knit bunch of mates that were good kids anyway great adults. It was fun half listening to them talking shit and having a laugh. They would be listening to Fleet Foxes Cat Fish and the Bottle men and drinking bottles of Monster or other such rubbish!!😂😂😂

SnuggyBuggy · 07/03/2021 09:18

I'd plan for it to be a mix of them socialising at yours and at other friends but I think it's a good idea if you've got the room to have a space they can use. Either that or another space you can hide in

MissMarks · 07/03/2021 09:21

Our house! Unless I knew the parents well.

Bunnybigears · 07/03/2021 09:25

Teen DS doesn't have friends to our house because of our twat of a dog who goes berserk if anyone comes in our house. He doesnt really go in other people houses either they are more of a hanging about the streets kind of a group.

Abraxan · 07/03/2021 09:30

Dd usually had friends here, before leaving for university. She's an only child so there's plenty of space and no other siblings to deal with. So an easy option. She did go and socialise at friend's homes too. Butoften here.

We liked it.
This year has been so quiet what with covid and her going to,university.

TheLumpySofaCushion · 07/03/2021 09:34

Bit of both but mainly here.

I liked making it a happy, comfortable place for them all to hang out.

julesover40 · 07/03/2021 09:41

I would love to hear my teen dd and her friends messing about here again. Roll on freedom for them all.
They tend to take turns hanging out at each others houses, but good space for them is a great idea x

minniemoocher · 07/03/2021 09:47

I always had people to mine but I had the biggest house, or rather the teen friendly one. Two living spaces is key so they can socialise, watch films etc away from me!

Only have one now since moving and notice the difference, but kids weren't meant to be here, covid!

partyatthepalace · 07/03/2021 09:58

Garden room sounds like a great idea (long as you are happy to be teen central!)

MrsFin · 07/03/2021 10:01

I used to love having a house full of teenagers. They are so funny, and so nice and polite when you're not their parents!
I was the cool mum who made them cake and took them snacks etc.
Mine would have loved a dedicated hang out space - I'd say go for it.

grafittiartist · 07/03/2021 10:03

I wish mine wanted to be here with their friends- I love a busy house. It's how my house was growing up.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 07/03/2021 10:07

It was a mixture or the two when mine were younger. I miss their friends hanging out here, watching films with pizza when younger teens, getting ready to go out with pre drinks when a bit older. Coming home tiddly and all over sharing with me Grin. I’ve still got one at home so I’m hoping this will resume soon

lljkk · 07/03/2021 10:11

Not bothered but DC almost never have friends around here. We are too scruffy apparently.

tenlittlecygnets · 07/03/2021 10:26

@Bunnybigears

Teen DS doesn't have friends to our house because of our twat of a dog who goes berserk if anyone comes in our house. He doesnt really go in other people houses either they are more of a hanging about the streets kind of a group.
Why don't you train your dog, so you can have people round??
MoiraNotRuby · 07/03/2021 10:30

One of mine likes to have friends here (pre covid anyway), the other likes to go to his friends. They know their friends are welcome 24/7 and they know I'll pick them up from anywhere 24/7 (in an emergency, not like I'm their slave). I expect after covid all the dynamics will change, teenagers have a year of adolescence to catch up on!

Sleepingdogs12 · 07/03/2021 10:35

I love having their friends here, they are lovely people and respect our home. I love having an insight into their world. When daughter went to uni I missed her friends as well as her. My sons friends are lovely too. Oldest boy won't bring friends home which I find sad . Embrace it .

Ikora · 07/03/2021 10:53

I prefer them here but we are the only family who would hold parties with larger numbers. We have a big kitchen diner with double doors that leads to a large conservatory so no carpet :)

The last do we had was New Years Eve 2020. It was DS party and we were planning on spending the night in the sitting room but DS and his friends wanted us to join them. DH proceeded to win cards against humanity and I won beer pong.

I think if you like entertaining at home which I do then it’s no bother.

Chewingle · 07/03/2021 13:10

Thanks so much!

I think I will go for it. I want it to be comfortable, private space for them..... that doesn’t bother me. So win win

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Chewingle · 07/03/2021 13:11

Oh but no parties! Few over after school and at weekends, but I hold my hands up.... I’m far too uptight for parties

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