I do childcare for them and in return they (2) are obsessive about putting things away. They don't ask me and they don't clean. They just want to put things away. I guess they think, "Out of sight, out of mind." Their houses are immaculate and mine, well.........kids like it here. They play and have a blast. There's occasional Play-Doh on the Dining Room Ceiling, we step on Hot Wheels and Legos..........you know, normal stuff. They make them keep all those things up in the closets at their houses. I have a nice plastic tablecloth to protect my Dining Room Table. I take care of stuff too. I just don't stuff it all in a closet or on shelves w/no order.
2007-10-20 08:25:30 · 21 answers · asked by kriend 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
Tell them to knock it off !!!! You don't get creative artistic kids if you don't let them make messes !!!! I left their crayons and markers and coloring books out. I had plenty of pencils and paper out. I bought the end rolls of paper from our local paper and rolled it out on the table and floor and let them draw, color, paint, etc. !!!! I bought them paint and brushes, colored pencils, charcoal, finger-paint, clay, play-doh, glue glitter etc. !!! I know, I know !!! I hate glitter too. They both are very artistic adults !!! My son can draw anything and I mean anything !!! He is good in Graphic Arts and Drafting !!! He has several inventions patented !!! My daughter has a Masters in Accounting !! She also arranges the wall displays at a family clothing store !!! In her "spare time" she is a Wedding Planner !!!! So leave everything out !!! You are a good teacher !!!!
2007-10-20 11:39:46 · answer #1 · answered by Diana 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would have been very happy to let my daughters pick up after their own children when I babysat for them. But now their kids are old enough to pick up after themselves and here in my house that is the golden rule.. if you play with it you put it up..they are still coming back.as a matter of fact they all beg to stay here and we live really close to each other for now. occasionally I have play-doh where it shouldn't be and finger paints too and a few toys get left out but for the majority of the time they put stuff up.
2007-10-20 11:52:15 · answer #2 · answered by myninny54 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been on both sides of this problem,and something occurs to me...
when I would go to my dad's house and my stepmom had toys everywhere, I was mortified - because they (parents)were so neat and orderly otherwise. I was afraid that they would get tired of the mess, and be angry at the intrusion into their normally neat lives. maybe then they wouldn't want us coming over, or maybe they would never want to babysit, either! (yes,selfish,I know)
anyway - I would run around cleaning up the mess as soon as I walked in the door, trying to solve a problem I wasnt sure even existed. Also, if you have a bunch of kids and you get in the routine of monitoring the scattering of kid stuff through the house, trying to stay one step ahead of the chaos, it's very hard to let go of that habit when you are at your parents
house and your kids have done what they always do.
you kids may be operating out of a misguided urge to protect you from their kids' messiness.
even though my parents assured me it was not a problem, I was always a little uncomfortable with it.
now of course, my house is like yours - grandkid ready at all times, and nothing is more important to me. luckily, my daughter believes me, and doesn't get nuts!
2007-10-20 10:44:39 · answer #3 · answered by min 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My sister is like that when she visits our parents. She will go through and clear out their fridge, rearrange the dishes and check the cupboards. I would never even consider doing this! This is the same house that we grew up in, but we no longer live there. Maybe they just think that they are helping out and are trying to clean up after their kids. Maybe you could get a few small crates with each child's name on it and they could put their child's things in the crate instead of putting things in the closets.
2007-10-20 09:16:09 · answer #4 · answered by noonecanne 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's not my daughters or anyone....it's my husband who does that. And it is just like you said...out of sight out of mind. Wouldn't bother me if he'd remember where he stuck it.....but he doesn't. I have everything out. Looks cluttered but I know the receipt of the bill is within the first 6 pages on my desk. It's frustrating as heck......I just say leave it alone...one thing I HATE is looking for stuff. There is a method to my madness even though it may not look prim and proper. I am not dirty......cluttered and dirty are 2 different things. If what looks like disorganization....upsets you....you don't belong in my house. I LIVE here....if you want a sterile environment void of human life....go to a surgical room. Living goes on here.
2007-10-20 10:50:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My daughters only do this when asking me first. Like; " where does this go Mom?" Right now my daughter Angela, an RN, is here helping me out since I'm post surgery. She sometimes puts things in the wrong place etc., but I'll take care of that after I'm feeling better. Right now I am so grateful to have her here. I pretty much like things put away and Angie isn't so much that way but she really tries.
2007-10-20 08:51:19 · answer #6 · answered by Eve 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
This has never happened to me. However, when my granddaughters were little they would rearrange my pictures and anything within their grasp. I never minded and sometimes I liked the way they arranged things better than I did. That was something my three sons never thought to do. I think I miss all of their younger days sometimes.
2007-10-20 12:04:01 · answer #7 · answered by mydearsie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I used to be obsessive about things being put away, I don't mind it now though. I would hate having someone else put things out of site, I probably would be calling constantly to ask them where they put my stuff., it would be annoying as all get out.
2007-10-20 08:33:56 · answer #8 · answered by slk29406 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Politely or un, tell them to keep their hands off your stuff..that should solve the problem. IF it does not, the try politely or MORE un....face it, it takes real nerve to come into someone else's house and feel free to "help" out without asking. IT is time they learned that your home is NO LONGER their home..they haven't come to this by themselves yet..time to let them know it. Peace and love, Goldwing
2007-10-20 09:32:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Tell the truth Grans will put up with anything, just so their grandchildren can visit.
Why don' you get a writing pad and a pen, and tell whoever is clearing up for you to write down where they put your things.
That will stop them doing it.
2007-10-20 08:48:26 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋