Should the living room be kept as a play free zone for the kids?

Question

How might i include my kids in the adult areas of the home without letting these social spaces become a play room. Should the living room be play free? Where do you draw the line and how much do you take your kids into account when decorating your home? I am redesigning my house and have many things i need to consider. If you have any personal experence and wouldn't mind sharing it i would be greatful. Thank you -w

Answer 1

my kids are allowed throughout the house, and they respect it. They only keep their toys in their room, but when they do bring toys out, they put them back into their room. They are a part of your life and they only stay little for a short time, enjoy it while it lasts.

Answer 2

I think having at least one room in the house kid/play-free is a nice thing , that way when you have company over, you all can feel like adults and enjoy each other's time without seeing a bunch of toys around. If you have a basement that is finished, I would have that as a play zone for the kids (if not they always have their room). If you have a living room and a family room, I would let one or the other be a sitting area and the other the play area for the kids.

Answer 3

I think it really depends on the size of the house if there is a dining room thats not used much then this might be a good idea.Also i encourage my son to play in his room then he is learning to play on his own without me and through this he seems to be a lot more creative, while redesigning the house why not make the kids bedrooms more fun and let them have lots of input as to what they would like in their rooms and what would make them want to play in their, make the living room play areas occasionally but make sure they know that toys do not belong in there and must be tidied away

Answer 4

I believe that there should be a small area in each home that you keep at its best for company, no toys allowed. Also, I believe that you must have a safe play in the home for children to play, a place where you can supervise them while they are playing, like a family room. If I were redoing the inside of my home, I would try to have a very small room as you walk in the front door that would have a good couch, chair (children are not allowed to play on) and coffee table that when people come to my house that are not friends, I could sit them down in and talk, serve coffee, etc. Then a family room open to the kitchen (with comfortable, climb on it furniture,) so that I could supervise my children while I work in the kitchen and where my friends could be comfortable. This to me is the ideal home.

Answer 5

My mom had a rule: before Dad came home at 4 p.m., we were to have tidy rooms and not sit in the living room or do noisy stuff in it. This changed to 5 p.m. when his hours changed.

I think all parents should have some set hour they agree is either family time or adult time, and the adult time should come after family time, and family time could possibly include allowing babies to play with a toy or two while the others chat about their day.

Answer 6

well as far as decorating I would be kid friendly in the bathroom and bedroom/ playroom other than that I would childproof these three main rooms: Bedroom/Playroom, Kitchen and Bathroom. As far as where you allow them to play, well do you feel comfortable with them bringing their toys to other areas of the house besides the bedroom/playroom? If you don't want toys out while you are socializing with friends though (depending on how young the child is) I would make sure they know that when guests are over everywhere but the bedroom/playroom are toyfree zones at that particular time.

Answer 7

Well we have a toddler, so he carries his toys everywhere, I'd be a tired mama if I tried to keep all of his toys in his room. Plus his bedroom is upstairs, it's safer for him to be downstairs (only have living room, bathroom, kitchen down there) than climbing up and down all day. When we move I would like to have a play area to throw all of his toys if we ever have company over, but I'm not going to stress out about toys being in the living room.

Answer 8

IF you have a family room, then yes the living room should be toy free. Explain to your kids that this is the area where the whole family can entertain company. Of cource if they have a special reason for wanting to have toy day in the living room, why not. One day can hurt.

Answer 9

Hi W,
I think you should make your home comfortable and welcoming to your children. They need space to play and the home is supplosed to be a place where all family members feel welcome, comfortable, and safe. Be creative with storage of toys and clear about what is and isn't allowed in the living area (example:no bikes). Rules are okay, afterall, you have to live there too. Just remember, that having a relationship with your children as they grow is what you really want to achieve. When you have that, you have harmony in your home...something you can't buy at the furniture store. Good luck!

Answer 10

My home is only a smll 3 bed house where i have just a smll living room,kitchen and bathroom downstairs and due to getting fed up of tidying uo toys etc from my living room my children have there toys upstairs as they are 6 and 10 yrs of age. As i got to the stage of fed up falling over toys when there babbies they had a sml tub downstairs with basics in but as older i think if thewy want to play they go either in there rooms or if weather not to bad outside. But for family time where we have meals and chat or watch a film together we sit in the living room. WITH NO TOYS. As otherwise kids stuff can take over your home by all means if you have bigger home give them a playroom for themselves where they can play but make sure they take the responsibility of tidying up or you'll have created a rod for your own back.

Answer 11

i would do what is best for you I'm lucky to have a living room that is large so toys on one area and mummy and daddy in another when ther older the conservatory will be the play room and we will get the living room back as a kiddie free zone.I think when there 3 up a play room is a good idea.