Having a hard time to refrain your kids from tearing down your friend’s house during a visit? Check out these ageless guides that ensure your name is on the ‘must invite’ 

 

Face it, moms and dads, it doesn’t matter how much fun you are to be with, how entertaining you are, how juicy your gossip — if your children are tearing down the house while your back is turned, your popularity as a guest will tumble. It need not be so. With a few ageless guidelines for mum and dad (and some gentle discipline for toddler) you can turn the tables around and be on the ‘must invite’ list once again.

 

 

Your Child Has a Different Agenda

You need to enjoy the company of others and give friendships a chance to grow. That’s why you accepted the invitation, but your children take a much more simplistic view of things. Your child is not interested in the host’s new car, nor does your child care about your friend who is having in-law troubles these days. 

 

Your child is much more interested in the food he can see on the table. Is any of it really yummy? Where does that long hallway lead to? Are there any toys there? What are all those bright, shiny figurines in the lounge room? They’re heavy and they smash into little pieces when you drop them! Oh yes, your little one’s agenda is very different to yours.

 

Remember that your child isn’t being naughty when he explores, discovers and experiments. He is being what he is — a healthy, inquisitive little person. But it won’t help your popularity as a guest if your child wreaks havoc with your host’s possessions. Naturally, when a child makes mistakes (as they often do), parents can feel embarrassed or angry, but remember, it’s part of the learning curve your child must experience.

 

The 10 Golden Rules

 

These tips will help you and your child to be welcomed anywhere.

Try not to visit when your child is sick 

If your child is not feeling well in anyway — upset tummy, cold, flu, head lice, fever and so on — then ring your host and tell them your situation. It’s only fair to give your host a chance to politely decline your visit.

 

Timing 

Don’t visit when your child is cranky. Everyone knows how cute your little one can be, but in general one that’s tired and irritable is not a pretty sight.

 

Monitor

Keep an eye on your child. There’s nothing worse than a toddler who is able to wander unsupervised through the house. Children are curious creatures by nature and can be very creative in their investigations. Who knows what mischief they might get into or danger they may stumble upon. Watch your child constantly and closely. Apart from the harm he may cause, your host is unlikely to feel happy about a two- year-old poking his way through their home either.

 

Prevent mess up 

Stop your child wandering around the house with food and drink. It’s amazing the enormous mess one small child can achieve with a single piece of chocolate cake! Assume that the children must eat with everyone else in the designated area. When the meal is over, wipe clean their face and hands. Grubby hands can leave quite a trail.

 

If your child is being particularly disruptive for whatever reason, then you should leave. 

Don’t make a scene, but make sure your child knows why you are leaving. To learn from experience, your child must know why you’re unhappy with him or her.

 

Gadgets for nappy change 

Always use a change mat and remove the soiled nappy to the outside wheelie bin immediately. If you’re visiting with your toddler who is not yet fully toilet trained, put a nappy on him. After all, it can only be described as an accident if you were absolutely certain it wouldn’t happen!

 

 

Observant to other’s house rules 

Don’t jump on the sofa, no screaming, no running, don’t touch anything — no matter how ridiculous the rules may get, it’s not your house nor is it your right to question them. Simply follow your host’s rules. If you find that your friend’s house rules are too rigid and most probably your child couldn’t abide them, perhaps you can consider your next meeting somewhere else, such as a café or a park.

 

The host’s property should be respected 

It’s only natural for children to be inquisitive and want to touch pretty things around the home. However, you can always make it a rule, “Don’t touch anything when you’re in someone else’s home”. Watch them carefully and remind them often. This courtesy can be easily forgotten when they are faced with a beautiful porcelain maiden or a sparkling crystal unicorn.

 

Clean up the big mess before you leave 

If your child makes a big mess in someone else’s house, make them clean up. Help them if you like, but make sure they do most of the work. That’s how they learn.

 

Children should be seen, not heard 

Children are remarkably inventive in their ability to find new ways to harm themselves. So when the host says her home is ‘childproof’ — don’t believe it. Nothing replaces a watchful eye. Accidents can happen in a matter of seconds. However, the more closely children are supervised the less likely they are to be seriously injured.