In wishing people wouldnt let their kids leap all over their furniture

[opalinski]

Ok OK totally totally BU re telling other people what to do in their own homes.

But I just wish, just a teeny bit and it is just a wish, that people wouldnt OR would at least let their kids know it isnt usual at other houses.

I seem to have had a run of 6/7 year old boys (visitors) who jump all over my furniture, throw stuff around the house and slide down bannisters, throw things down from upstairs etc.

I do politely ask them not to and tell them its my house and our rules are different ...usually after the "we can in our house" line...but always end up looking like a cow because of it. Its bad enough having to ask them to remove their shoes when coming in from the garden to go upstairs where the white/cream carpet is. Its not something I like to do but loads of boys running in from the dirt to the bedroom wrecks the carpet.

We have a kid friendly home and I welcome ds' friends but I really wish people would either have the same rules i their homes as me (yeah, i know but its a pipe dream) or at least tell their kids its not the norm in every household. I hate sounding like a cow to my ds' friends but seriously dont want them to jump all over my couch and kick the wlls with their feet etc

AIBU?

(and before anyone else suggests the kids are just chancing it and they dont at home, Ive visited and they do)

[chunkythighs]

reminds me of a HUGE pet hate- fussy eaters. I had a friend arrive a while back with two teens in tow. As I was plating dinner for 6 she politely informed me the likes and dislikes of her kids.
I called the kids in and explained that in my house I expect them to try the food I prepared for them, they were also welcome to place specific items on a piece plate. I also pointed to the bread and fruit on the counter. I didn't make a big deal out of it but was very black and white on the subject.

I don't expect my guests to love to love my cooking, I do expect them to taste it.


Miracles of miracles- the plates were cleaned! My friend was stunned! (I was a little smug).

[vess]

One of ds's friends, whose mother is very strict and would never let him jump on furniture etc, thought that just because we're a bit more relaxed, he can do anything he liked in our house - including break and damage stuff.

[Katy1368]

Your house your rules of course you shuld have the right to expect others peoples children not to do this. Personally my DD pummels my sofa and uses my bed as one huge trampoline but if she were ever in your house I would expect her to apply different standards AND more crucially I would keep an eye on her to ensure she didn't start trampolining!

[Buddhastic]

Our kids weren't allowed to as we could never afford to replace anything broken or damaged. It hasn't left them uncomfortable in our house and 'my rules' apply to any visitors. But it does make it difficult sometimes especially with young children who don't do as their told near my 'cream sofa' Aaargh!

[Hormoneoverload]

Think children should know it's not acceptable everywhere or at all times. Generally no climbing or jumping on our sofas- with the occasional moment where they're allowed to take the cushions off and leap on those on the floor (while I Hoover up on the sofa itself). They know the reasons why. Also, apart from the odd occasion, they know they don't draw or do play dough in the living room and that eating takes place at the table. They're mire than happy to jump on someone else's sofa if given the chance, but wouldn't dream of assuming. With other children, you do have to accept the need to be assertive. They don't assume things are different to home unless you tell them but usually accept readily (with the odd exception!!) when you do.

[youarekidding]

vess I have that re 1 friend and toys. She is a 'controlled play' type who runs around tidying up. I am a make a mess play with toys etc but put them back when you've finished/ before you leave where you got them from. Took a long time and me having to get tough for her kids to realise my 'laxness' wasn't to be taken the piss out of. EG I may be relaxed but you still respect my house and DS toys.

[noddyholder]

My ds and all his mates jumped all over ours for years. He is 17 they don,t do it now so I assume it's just something boys do. Not all th stone and not in others houses I would hope if he had been told not to. They also bounced on beds,made tens under tables,and for some reason they loved playing cinema and dragged cushions and food everywhere to do so. Chill out they do not do it forever!

[exoticfruits]

It is fairly easy in that if you take them to other people's houses, from babies, they realise that different people have different rules. Mine had to contend with great aunts and ornaments etc. No one moved anything for them.