My 2 sons Thomas (11) and Dominic (8) constantly have kids from the neighborhood coming over. We live on a culdasac so you'd figure the kids would just play in the circle, but nope they're always at our place, never any other house. This means, I have to constantly spend money on snacks and drinks and our house will have kids here till probably 7 pm when the last finally go home for dinner. This wouldn't bother me if they alternated houses, but its always ours. I've told the boys about this but they don't care. We live in sunny CA, so they shouldn't be IN our house, they should play outside. What to do... I don't want to be rude but I'm sick of living in the "hangout house"
2007-02-14 08:07:28 · 10 answers · asked by Kristen 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
It's time to lay down the law. Do the other boys live in the cul-de-sac as well? Let them know that on the days you do let everyone come in, they will be sent home at 5pm, and that otherwise, they are to play outside, except to go to the bathroom. If it keeps going, have a talk with the parents, and explain that the constant company and snacks is draining. The parents really should understand. If they don't, tough.
My neighbor always sends snacks when her 3 kids come over to play, and if it is nice outside (we have varying weather here) they have to play outside. Despite this, they still always want to come over, so it's not like your boys will lose their friends.
2007-02-14 08:14:56 · answer #1 · answered by chelebeee 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I bet you are wasting a ton of money feeding these other people's kids! Its nice that the kids feel comfortable in your home, but there needs to some kind of compromise on them being there. Tell them you have chores to do and unless they want to help you they can go outside to play or over one of the other homes in the neighborhood. Also, as much as you are the hangout for these kids you are basically babysitting them? What are their parents doing? Probably enjoying their peaceful clean homes and calling you a sucker behind your back. Can you just tell your boys to go to so-and-so's house to play? If you can't get others to share in the fun of their own kids, you may just need to lock the door a couple of times to see if they get the picture. It is a shame that the kids may have to suffer a bit until their parents share some of the responsibility. At any rate, if it makes you feel better, you must be the "cool" parent on the block since all the kids are comfortable there with you. Good luck!
2007-02-14 16:17:06 · answer #2 · answered by christina9202 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are the parent! You set the rules! And by furnishing snacks for the neighborhood, of course they would rather come to your house! Quit it! Send them outside! Do your kids have a lot of fun toys, too?
I have a grand daughter who found out the only reason a few kids were coming to her house was her "fun toys"! The one little girl actually told her that!
When you make some changes, give them all chores to do, cut out the snacks, make some things off limits then some will stop coming over!
2007-02-14 16:24:18 · answer #3 · answered by Gramms 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If these were my kids, I'd make a playhouse in the backyard, maybe even something like a tree house and tell them go take your friends there.
mamasquirrel's answer is funny, but then my kids would be fine with that... they love to snack on carrots, brocolli and stuff like that.
2007-02-14 16:11:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's your house. Put them out. Childhood obesity is a national epidemic , help fight the disease by cutting back on the food they are eating at your house and introducing them to the great outdoors we all enjoyed when we were kids.
2007-02-14 16:11:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
firstly i think its good that they hang at your house, you know where your kids are at all times, do the other parents know what their kids are up to? as for the 7pm thing i would make it clear to all the kids that 5.30 is tidy up time and after that they are outside while you finish your chores. give your boys a curfew at the same time and see how this goes, i think if you insist on this they'll soon find something to do outside. good luck!
2007-02-14 18:34:03 · answer #6 · answered by sue brew 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offer them fresh carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower with blue cheese dip as snacks from now on. Unless they are omnivores (like my kids), they might stop comming over.
2007-02-14 16:11:06 · answer #7 · answered by mamasquirrel 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
put your foot down...u r the parent, just tell those boys what the rules are...if they violate them, kick em all out, tell them to go home. their parents are taking advantage of you as a free babysitter...i would end it until someone returns the favor!
2007-02-14 16:12:52 · answer #8 · answered by Psy_Chick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your the popular mom. Just wait till they become teenagers. You will be known by everyone.
2007-02-14 16:13:52 · answer #9 · answered by JAMI E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take control of ur kids now be4 its too late...no kidding..or els ur gana regret it. i mean if thr 8 yrs old now and take ur words as crap thn bad news when they get to 16-18-...
2007-02-14 16:14:17 · answer #10 · answered by LiNDA DO =) 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋