Anyone else's grandchildren destroyed their houses/gardens?

[SusanStevens]

I love my grandchildren but often when they come round my garden gets destroyed, and they've even broken my lamps and crockery! anyone else suffer this? any tips? the amount of money it has cost me is absurd!

Put things away before they come. Don't leave anything breakable, or valuable out.

How old are they op?

Are their parents there with them supervising when they come over or are you in charge of them? I'd be mortified if my children destroyed things in my parents' or in-laws' house.

i've been doing that but it's such an inconvenience to re arrange my whole house! has anyone ever had a similar thing happen?

That's not normal or reasonable. They most be very naughty or not disciplined enough.

Definitely not normal. Crockery shouldn’t be lifted off the table, and I’m struggling to imagine how they destroy the garden (unless it’s with a football or similar, in which case you can swap it for one of those super lightweight ones which would probably not hurt plants quite so much).

Definitely need to be disciplined more strongly.

Not normal at all. My children have never broken anything at their Grandparents' houses. Never.

they're 6 years old

they kicked the flowers and smashed the green house with the football

Sounds like they need a bit of discipline to me! That’s not acceptable at 6.

No more football then. Put your foot down.

That is appalling. My 6 and 1 year old would never do that. The odd trinket has been destroyed by the toddler but this sounds like they are badly parented.

Well, if you let DC play football in a garden with a greenhouse it's almost inevitable isn't it? I replaced the glass with polycarbonate because I was afraid of one of mine falling into it and slicing an artery or something.

Constant supervision and stricter rules is the only alternative to child proofing

I mean, yes, you have to accept the odd drink will spill and the odd potty incident will occur but not wilful destruction at this level. It's not acceptable and needs raising. At 6 years old I'm assuming they manage to hold it together at school so why not at yours? (We visit my parents and grandparents regularly and have never had so much as a glass break, I think my nan's Radio Times got ripped once). My mum looks after my children occasionally so has witnessed them being less than perfectly behaved but definitely no costly breakages (and she would let me know).

No my DC have never broken anything or damaged anything at either of the grandparents houses!

They use plastic crockery most of the time & are not allowed to play football in the garden with the greenhouse.

They wouldn't dream of damaging the flowers either!

Not grandchildren but I had a friend whose children were very destructive and she just sat and watched. I get that children can destroy a garden, these children tipped every plant pot out for the hell of it. I decided to no longer have them in my home. Don’t know if you want to d this to your grandchildren though, maybe meet up with them in the park

Speak to their parents. If the children can't behave then they shouldn't be allowed in other people's houses - whether they're related or not.

Six year old twins or cousins? Where were their parents when this was happening? Are they just popping in to see you, when this happens, or have they travelled a long way to see you?

Lots of people here are quick to judge your daughter or son for "bad parenting" but sometimes it isn't that simple. Maybe they should parent differently, but you can't always tell them that! You can, of course, talk to your son or daughter, but in the meantime, you can invest in some cheap games which won't break your greenhouse - swingball or boules, plastic golf clubs or croquet set, bottles of bubbles/a paddling pool/ a sandpit (doesn't have to be expensive. We used our old baby bath and put sand in it). Keep these things at your house as special to be played there.

Do not give them chocolate or sweets when they arrive and then complain if they go mad on a sugar high (voice of bitter experience there!) Give books, puzzles, crayons instead, and have a plain biscuit to hand - you can get very cheap packets.

For indoors if you can childproof a room and tell the kids that that is where they need to play. Again, check out charity shops for a few special toys to be kept at your house. Have crayons or books and sit with them to do some quiet reading/crayoning - they may not have been taught how to read quietly in the day by their parents. If they have had a long journey to yours, factor in a trip to the park as soon as you can after they arrive. Exhaust them, if you can. If it's too hot/too rainy take them swimming then have a dvd ready or board games for when they get back. Have food prepared before they come so that you can spend your time with them and don't have to be in the kitchen and keep an eye on them. If they are local perhaps arrange to meet up at the park/swimming pool/ for a long walk (adventure) instead of meeting at your house if you can.

It must have been very upsetting for you, but having grandchildren in your home can be a big deal. If rearranging your house is inconvenient set the rules for when they come there, but try out some other ideas to keep them worn out if you can.

The trouble with having a few toys is that they would probably not play with them as intended and use them for more destruction.