Who is unreasonable - Me or the Boys?

[StayAwayFromTheEdge]

We have guests for tea later, so I have spent a fair bit of time this morning cleaning the downstairs of the house.

When the boys (3,6 & 8 - Although this only really affects the older 2) got up I explained that I needed to keep the house clean and tidy and asked them what they wanted to do.

So they want to go to the gym, play tennis, go to splash, make cupcakes

So I outline the plan...

• Breakfast
• Get dressed
• Do homework
• Free time to play in the house (keeping clean) while I do some house work, washing, prepare veg etc.
• Have lunch
• Go to gym
• Come home and they can then do what they want until teatime

So, now I have to factor in a friend of the boys - I will call him H.

He is here all the time, knocking on the door when the boys are in bed, 9am in the morning etc. Although he is generally well behaved I am beginning to feel like a unpaid babysitter. He lives a few streets away, I do not know his parents or know how to contact them in an emergency.
He was told clearly yesterday by my DH when he evicted him at 8pm not to visit before lunch.

So despite the plan above H is knocking at the door at 10am - boys beg to play out and I let them (H - will be knocking every 5 minutes, looking through windows until we go out otherwise).

I tell them to keep as clean as possible - within 10 minutes DS2 has trampled cat poo through the house (OK, it's my cat, but that is not the point) and has mud covering much of his lower half. DS1 is equally as muddy.

I have mopped and disinfected and cleaned the rugs - Waiting for the floors to dry so I can steam mop.

So am I unreasonable to tell the boys to forget the trip to the gym and spend my free time on MN or should I do as DH says (he's at work) and get over it?

I will leave the decision to you...

I would forfeit the gym, though if I had people coming I probably wouldn't of arranged outside things to do in the firstplace. Send H home and tell him 'not today'.

disclaimer.....I dont have three boys so dont know if the gym would let off steam...but seems like extra work when expecting visitors>

Oldraver - It would let off extra steam (and comes with the added advantage of them not being able to make a mess); I have sent H home for lunch, he'll be back soon no doubt.

They are happily playing with lego and not making too much mess, so I'm a bit undecided.

They are being very well behaved now too, which is adding to the guilt.

There is still time for splash...

Take them out. Burns off energy, avoids H and stops the house getting dirty. Win, win, win.

I'd start by ignoring H. Let him knock, look in etc., or answer and make him take you to his house so you can tell his parents to keep him away. Then take the boys out if you have time, if not put a DVD on to keep them clean while you get ready for your visitors. I think. I don't have any boys.

Stop being such a mug with H for starters. Tell him to sod off home when it doesn't suit you. When he arrived this morning you should have said 'What were you told last night?' and sent him away. You can't have someone else's child dicating to you!

Go out - because it will be easier for you.

Tell your DH when he is the one dealing with the shit - literally, then he has the right to 'get over it' when it's YOU dealing with it he has the right (& obligation) to mutter soothing things not wind up things!!