Feeling apprehensive about friends with rowdy children coming to stay !

[36plusandtrying]

Have friends coming to stay in a few weeks and their children are a little spirited ... think throwing toys at walls, jumping all over sofas, standing on chairs at meal times, eating with hands, running over the house refusing to get teeth brushed, running in and out of room at bed time ....we are in a new house and have older children so house not overly kid friendly. Friend has already suggested that I put away my 'nice things' so nothing gets broken .... how do I handle this or is it me that needs to child proof the house ? (Kids 3 and 6)

I've never had a bad reaction from any friends for me telling their kids that certain behaviour is unacceptable in my house.

I don't shout, I'm not nasty or pass remarkable. I just state the rules firmly and usually while smiling. If the behaviour continues they get another warning and then a consequence.

The friends who've visited with the worst kids have no idea how annoying, badly behaved and ill-mannered we found their children. They had a lovely holiday (as did the children) and went home and told everyone what a super time they had.

They just won't be invited again, mostly because my own children found the behaviour so distressing.

I have to say I'm stricter on my own children than on visiting kids so possibly that helps because they can see their child isn't being asked to do anything I don't expect of my own children.

Make an excuse. It's not worth the stress.

How old are the children out of interest?

3 and 6 (in OP)

Right, you've said the friends are coming, so now you've got to prepare for the worst of it.

Firstly, plan to have them out of the house as much as possible. Look up all the free cheap things they can do in your area.

Get all of the expensive small stuff, inc. any tech in your own bedroom.

Protect your sofa with a cheap throw and protect your table with those plastic wipeable table cloths.

Get some dvds ready to pacify them.

Could you put a tent up in your back garden to keep them out entertain them?

Best of luck -

Sorry you're stuck with them. I'd definitely reply to her email to set some boundaries. They're old enough to know that different houses have different rules.

Locks for your children's rooms sound like a good idea.

Cavender ive yet to find a tone, punishment, consequence etc that works with mine. That's why I'm always on here looking for how others do it. Mine are immune! Oldest has Sen tho and 3 year old gives no fucking shits about anything!

Apart from holding them in a straight jacket hold nothing stops them from jumping on the furniture.

I wouldn't stay at people's houses if I knew my dc were that difficult and would destroy another persons house. I sometimes don't even visit people when my dd2 is acting up. Just selfish really.
Put away anything valuable and cover all sofas chairs with blankets. Shut doors where they're not allowed in (your bedroom for example) hide gadgets and write down a list of rules laminate it and put it up where they can ALL see.(hopefully the 6 year old can read).

Unfortunately we don't have much of a garden now, apart from a 7ft hole that takes up half the garden as we are having major works done. So chucking them in the garden isn't an option or they will drag dust/mud through the house. I'm going home tonight do the usual clean you would prior to visitors - part of me wonders if there is a point ? I'll be mostly at work so not sure if that's worse or better .... or will I just be fretting about what's going on when I'm not there

Make sure you locate and hide any and all pens/crayons/etc.

Good luck!

Ah MrsK SEN makes things a thousand times more difficult.

Yip I need a list of things to hide ..... I'm hoping DH is right and they will be calmer in a strange place. Then I recall last time they visited the oldest broke one of our screen doors ...

So you won't even be there most of the daytime? Eek, it's sounding worse! Are they at least going to go out? Bored children trapped indoors anywhere is a recipe for disaster.

Hide anything valuable and move anything that could make a mark. They will.likely bring toys with them? Then that's what they play with. If yours are older they should expect that.

Make them pay a damage deposit?!

No I'm hopeful of lots of day trips !! I very much doubt they'll be hanging around the house ... famous, last, words

Sorry, OP, but I very much doubt they'll be calmer in a strange place.

We recently had friends visit with their three spirited sons. They let them run around like little whirlwinds, the behaviour was generally poor, they had no respect for our home. I'm normally good at dealing with kids' behaviour, but with these three, it was impossible. Upshot, they won't be back, and I'm not fussed about seeing the parents again. It has damaged the friendship.

The one thing I would say is try not to let them out of your sight - or the parents'. If they wander off, a quick reminder to the parents to go with them, or go yourself and manage their behaviour as best you can.

And yes to going out. Good luck.

why can't you just tell your friend about your house rules and ask her to manage her kids accordingly?

pavlovian the OP won't be around most of the time!

Oh god the mess ...... I have never seen anything like it ! They don't listen to any form of discipline.... how can kids be such a nightmare.

are they still there?
give your 'friends' cleaning supplies and stand behing her with a whip

Oh god, you have to give us a full account of the terror!

Did you have the frank chat prior to their arrival?

I hope it's not too bad..

Tell us everything, we need deets

Don't have them to stay again. What a nightmare.