To be worried about looking after my friend 3 kids ?

[maidmarian2012]

DP and I have agreed to look after our friends three DC while they go on a romantic break for 2 nights. They are lovely children and my toddler DS (2) adores them. DP is amazing with kids and has promised to help, I'm sure he will.

What is it like to dress, feed, entertain etc 4 kids? I want it to be enjoyable and fun for all of us but I cant help thinking its going to be extremely stressful.

I hope its not coming across that I'm neurotic or anything, I just want to help our friends.

Just get in lots of pizza and/or easy food & forget about keeping your house clean and/or tidy & just enjoy it.

You are a totally wonderful friend!

Get planning. Plan the menu - find out from the parents what their favourite and least favourite foods. Plan some trips out, free stuff like the park or museum. For lunch one day maybe have them make their own pizzas which will entertain them for a good chunk of time and guarantees theyll eat it. Another good thing, if you think theyll sit through a movie, have them design their own cinema tickets and do little bags of popcorn.

Would it be easier for you DH and your dc to move into their house?

How old are they? If they're older than 4 they'll probably be able to dress themselves. Get them involved in helping with food and stuff - possibly decorating pizza as suggested by someone else.

Remember other peoples kids often behave better for you than their own parents!

You are lovely lovely friends. And i'm sure it will be better than you think x.

Have lots and lots of activities planned

Take them outside even if its wet

(3 DC 3 DSC )

With two adults, it will be completely fine, honestly.

Make sure to go out and do lots of energy burning activities.

I always found cutting and sticking (old magazines and some cheapo paper) was a good indoor time waster - not sure on ages though.

What a lovely friend you are! Second the idea that might be easier to stay in their house so they are in familiar beds with all their stuff around them. On the other hand the novelty of yours might keep them occupied. Depends a lot on their ages, but if under ten mine used to love getting an Argos catalogue, cheap scrapbook and a glue stick and kiddy scissors and I would set them challenges like "Cut out all the things for your dream bedroom" or if in summer "Design the best garden" ( trampoline, pool, swings etc).
You can buy ready made cookie dough in most supermarkets, cookie cutters and make biscuits. Take a picnic ( which they help you make) to the park .
If they are all little ones- get those who are over 2 to hunt out and set out their own clothes the night before to avoid early morning "but I want to wear my spaceman costume" scenarios.
They will definitely behave better for you than their own parents- I have done this for a friend who had a dying father- 2 kids under 7 ( plus 2 of my own) and they behaved like angels.
Hope you enjoy it- and the friends do the same for you one day!

Thanks everyone for your much needed advice. We are looking after them in their own home, as our flat is much too "compact" for them all. DS loves the DD of our friend, he really does.

Im looking forward to it now, its just iv never looked after so many children and its hard enough with my boisterous " year old!

BTW the children are 7, 4 and 1. DP is going to entertain older 2, and im going to cluck and coo over the baby and my own DC. :)

Thanks everyone

Are you available to hire?? You sound like a lovely friend.
My advice as a mother of 5 is lower your standards for the time you have them
They will likely behave much better for you than they do for their parents.
Have fun

Thanks belini and natasha

Belini you must be superhuman, I mean dont get me wrong, I dont struggle with My ds but its hard work and I take my hat off to you.

Natasha, yes, we plan on taking them to the local park and duck pond. I'm sure they would do the same for us, Im also going to get pics and send them via inbox on FB. So They are reassured.

Bring on the mayhem!!