Is it anal not to allow your children to eat anything at all in the living room?

[emkana]

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It probably is a little anal, but I try to maintain this rule.

No.

I only wish mine would pay attention to me, instead of sneaking in there with food whenever my back's turned (and mine are much older than yours and should know better!)

Erm, yes i think it is a bit.

Yes, massively.

It is but I can understand your reasons and it's the reason I have leather couches and solid wood floors.

We have that rule Also no food or drinks upstairs.

Who said that it was me who had that rule?

Yes.

I sometimes eat in the living room too. THey know how to use a dustpan and brush and the hoover if it gets too messy.

See, I haven't got leather and solid wood, and I have had disgusting filthy fingermarks wiped over the sofa arms

Yes ! DH tries to impose this rule every so often to no avail as I think its a bit unrealistic.

We are going to get leather sofas in the new year as I think this may help - does it Ledodgy ?

I think it depends on the flooring and the sofa coverings. Wood floors and leather upholstery would then seem anal. Cream wool carpets and a light suede sofa? Then it would not be anal but sensible.

I think it is probably a good idea in that it stops unconscious snacking. But in practice I think keeping it casual is probably better. How would we do popcorn in our 'home cinema' if we had that rule

you see, I am a woman of few rules and I don't think this is anal. But then again, we have a carpet in the living room and slugs that are attracted by crumbs so I think it's a rule for a good reason.

And I let them break it at least 2 or 3 times a week so it's probably an ineffectual rule anyway!

Meant to say that we have a no food and drink rule upstairs at all. We have wooden floors downstairs and where the carpet starts is the point of no return (or no food)!

You need those vile lovely arm covers that my nana used to have jan.

I have a pale coir carpet, and a bright pink velvet sofa and ottoman, all chosen before DS was so much as a twinkle. So I don't feel I have much choice!

Definitely agree on the upstairs though. Although this gets bent for a cup of tea in bed at weekends and DH and DD's biscuits in bed at the weekend ()

Wheely it does help alot everything wipes off.

It doesn't even occur to the children to eat in there, so it doesn't feel particularly cruel.

ooh marvellous ! I look forward to the day ....

I agree soapbox - I never allow food upstairs. God know what I would find pushed under beds. urgh!

i don't mind finger food in the front room but draw the line at soup and similar.

nobody ever eats upstairs ever. water only.

Not a rule in this house but I suppose it's what you're used to and how maintenance free your living room is.
My friend has a rule that her children have to eat everything at the table,which is fine albeit a bit too formal and controlling.What's the harm in munching an apple or biscuit somewhere else fgs.

I only allow snacks and sometimes lunch (if just sandwiches) in the living room though. I think evening meals should be ate at the table together.

no because we had a terrible mouse problem - after you have vacuumed up mouse droppings from the cushions on the couch, behind the couch and behind the toy box you lay down a rule about no eating in the living room!