Hard to believe that this rule has to be set in place to begin with. And how in the world did the "no couch jumping" conversation even come up?!?
Everyone has had some pretty good advice; definitely put away anything you don't want touched and/or played with. Otherwise, expect it to get touched, played with, and possibly broken.
I have a 6 year old boy with a ton of energy, and I don't let him jump on my furniture. I certainly don't let him jump on other people's furniture. And when I go to a new person's house with him, I will usually bring a few things that I know will entertain him if the person doesn't have a kid about his age in the house -- a few books, his kindle fire, an activity book and crayons.
People need to be responsible for their kids. It's nice of you to have special snacks and a movie for the kids!
Post by statlerwaldorf on Oct 4, 2012 13:15:44 GMT -5
I don't let dd jump on the furniture in my own home and I would never let her jump on furniture in someone else's.
Rules don't bother me, but when dd was a young toddler I didn't like to go to people's houses that had a lot of things she could break at her level. It's exhausting to chase after a toddler when there's no safe area. I'm not saying it would need to be completely childproofed or anything.
My son is two and knows not to jump on the furniture. I'm uptight with my own kid. Take it outside. Manners people! BTW, three couples and their kids sounds horrible for the weekend sounds horrible and stressful.
I'd force them all outside or in one room & adults take turns supervising. Telling that many young kids any rules is futile unless someone is there is enforce & punish or they are worn out/tired/or very compliant & will sit & do a quiet activity. My kids are great but they are kids & get caught up in the energy & fun of a group & occasionally loose their good judgment.
Post by DarcyLongfellow on Oct 4, 2012 14:50:31 GMT -5
I see a lot of other moms and kids through our weekly playgroup. Honestly, I am constantly amazed at what some parents will let their kids do.
It's totally find to have your own rules for your house. Just express them nicely as they come up -- I wouldn't announce the "rules" at the beginning. I also usually address to the kid -- not in a "getting in trouble" way, just in an "annoucing the house rules way." For example, if a kid puts their shoes on my couch (which apparently most parents allow -- why?) I'll just say, "oh, honey, let's take off your shoes so they don't get the couch dirty." For jumping on the couch, I'd just say something like, "hey, buddy, let's sit on the couch please so you don't get hurt."
Usually parents are attentive to what you're asking their kid to do, so they'll realize you don't want a certain activity happening and will tell the kid more directly not to do it.
The couch in our play room in very jump-friendly. A launching pad for the bouncer. But my kids know how to behave in other people's homes. I would not worry about it other than putting away valuable breakables.
I'm all for kid rules...for mine and for others. No jumping/climbing on furniture is one of them. One of ds's friends (age 4) likes to stand on his head on the couch and watch tv (upside down) and is prone to lots of couch jumping. That doesn't fly here. Also, food only at the table (except popcorn and water during movies). No one allowed upstairs (all our bedrooms are up there, no toys are kept there and there's a dedicated playroom downstairs) or in the basement (dh's lair). I'm sure there are others, but I can't think of them now.
I would take my kids home if they were jumping on the couch at someone's house and woudln't stop... so no, that is not a strange rule.
as for being nervous about stuff getting broken - if you have kids around, stuff WILL get broken if it's breakable and out - so just kid-proof. We don't leave breakable stuff out b/c we have two 3yos and a 5yo and don't expect them to be perfect.
If they give you a hard time and you are a wimp, just say that you dont want anyone to get hurt. (and didnt someone post here about a family being sued because other boy broke his arm on their property?) so you want to minimize damage.