How do you protect your home from the wear and tear of children? Three adorablle girls but only one of them is!
Answers: calm. We have them over often and in the past week, the youngest has scratched the edge of my dining table, broken my trash can by jumbing on the foot press, scratched my kitchen chair by digging on it with a fireplace shovel, climbed onto the bathroom sink for Q-tips that are kept in an ornate jar. I know some of you will say she should be watched closer, but trust me, this girl is fast! The mom has no training in child rearing and we don't want to sound like we're constantly saying "don't do this and don't do that", but I love my home and the things in it we've worked long and hard for. What do you do when unruly company comes calling????
My suggestion would be to find an age-appropriate game that the kids can play together. If any of them are old enough to read, maybe a book on tape that they can read along with. I haven't had a lot of experience with extremely unruly kids, but most kids who do "naughty" things need higher expectations--something they are expected to do. Can you come up with some kind of "job" for them so that they feel important and trusted? As a 7th grade teacher, this worked pretty well with kids who would tend to cause a little trouble. Give them a job and expect them to do it. Reward them for work well done. Here's an idea--find some kind of Christmas craft and tell them you need it so it can be displayed in your house. They'll feel like you're depending on them and they'll be proud when they see that you really will put their project in the window or on the fridge or wherever.
The "don't do this, that" line only works with some kids and then only for a little while. It's better to be proactive and keep them busy. My students complained that they never got "free time" in my classroom, but I had fewer behavior problems than teachers that let the kids run wild a couple of days a week. :)
Good luck and don't pull your hair out!
Tessa Somers
www.professionalhomebar.com
Limit them to one room in the house. I often watch my friends son and he is like this.
If they dont start listening its time to stop having them over.
oh boy I have got a friend like that. Every time they come over something somewhere in the house gets broken. I love them to death too but man it get on my nerves as well. I have four of my own and these kids are a destructive force. The only thing I could recommend is talking to the mother possibly the father too. you need to be honest with her and tell her she needs to keep an eye on her. It is your stuff. I have done the same. It may also be a good Idea to have the child there so she could hear your problem with her as well. One day it was dart holes on the wall. eeek so I know your anxiety. If it gets worse do what she said above
Oh my goodness the best of luck.
I say buy a sturdy patio set and keep 'um outside!!
I would suggest to have the mom bring over some toys to keep them busy. maybe have coloring books available and reward them with a small toy or candy if they're good while at your house.
We have three very energetic picky daughters and my advice to you is that you insist that the mother or father keep thier children under control just as a sign of respect towards you and your home . I'm sure if this friend is a good friend that they will understand where you are coming from. I hope I have been some help to you and good luck.
I'd go to visit them at their house, since the mother is unwilling or incapable of controlling her girls. If they show up on your doorstep unexpectedly, I'd bundle them up, and take them to a local park, or fast food joint with a play area, and let them take out their energy on slides and bouncy thingies. I wouldn't care if their mother objects because obviously she doesn't care enough about her host (you) to have her children behave with respect in your home.