They are running the house..

[MyKzooFamily]

I have advertised for daycare for about 1-2 months now, but still no daycare kids. The couple of parents that have come, one wanted more kids her child's age so she had a 'playgroup' and the other turned out to be crazy and pretty much told me how to do everything, gave my house a 5 point inspection, and then quit her new job on the first day to go back on welfare because she was too tired.

So it's been crazy so far. Today I have an 18 month old and 3 year old over, friends children whose grandparents can't watch them today. I've had them each before, and it's work, but today is crazy. One was jumping on the couch, then tossing couch pillows, while the other was running over my infant daughters hands with the play car, and dumping puzzles, and.... it goes on and on.

Clearly you ladies must not let the kids have free roam of the house? My house is not 'open', it's a circle. So I can't see them in the playroom when I'm in the living room, they are on opposite sides of the house. I have thought about baby gating the playroom, as it is the size of a large living room. They would have plenty of space to play. But it would get boring after a little while I'm sure.

I just can't believe how much work this is, going back and forth solving "I'm destroying your house" problems. We have a decently nice house, no breakables lying around, but they could easily shatter a flat screen if I don't watch them.

Do you keep rooms gated? How do you keep sanity watching multiple children of multiple ages? All who need to be supervised constantly?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

My kids are 2-5 and the daycare rooms are gated. The kitchen is gated off (with a swinging gate) and that leads to the three daycare rooms that are all in a row. But, the fourth is the entryway (sign in area/cubby area/bathroom) and it is gated with a swinging gate as well since the stair entrance is also there. They go in there when they need to get their shoes, go potty, or we are getting ready to go home.

[MarinaVanessa]

I have all off limit areas closed with gates and close the doors to any other rooms we aren't all in. In my opinion all kids need visual supervision when they are not sleeping. Kids are kids and are going to get into mischief no matter what their age. I find that if all of the kids are in the same area and if I can maintain visual contact then they're less likely to misbehave.

If the kids are jumping on furniture while you are in the room then it could just be those particular kids.

[MyKzooFamily]

I have all off limit areas closed with gates and close the doors to any other rooms we aren't all in. In my opinion all kids need visual supervision when they are not sleeping. Kids are kids and are going to get into mischief no matter what their age. I find that if all of the kids are in the same area and if I can maintain visual contact then they're less likely to misbehave.

If the kids are jumping on furniture while you are in the room then it could just be those particular kids.

Yeah, I think it's just those particular kids, unfortunately. My son would NEVER bang on someone's television with a toy, let alone get that close to it, because those are rules we have at home. And I know that he respects those rules at other people's houses. Maybe some parents do not have those things for children to get into, or they don't have rules. I'm definitely sticking to full-time kids, because after the first week or two, they would know what the rules here are and respect them.

[allsmiles]

my home is a circle downstairs as well.. the play room is gated and blocked by the play kitchen when we are in there. It took several weeks for them to understand when we are in another area i.e. breakfast room for arts and crafts or den for tv time.. that they cant wander the house Or only go to a room when you are invited.. but they soon get the picture. My blinds are taking a beating still and they still try to touch the tv (ages 2 and under) ever so often.. im looking to gate the tv off probably soon. It helps to have the smaller babies in a high chair since most of the time tv time is right before lunch. multiple ages is a challenge for us newbies..but like you said with some full time kids that will know ur expectations, you will be fine.