Here's the thing: I guess I'm something of a degenerate.
Well, that's not true exactly, but I've never been one to drive myself crazy "following the rules" -- or drive anyone else crazy trying to make them "follow my rules." (Can you tell I was raised by hippies?)
I knew next to nothing about the world of time-outs and sticker charts and naughty chairs until I had babies of my own and they got old enough to start playing with other kids -- kids whose parents lived in that world.
And guess what I discovered? Those kids liked having playdates at my house a LOT.
Don't get me wrong -- it's not like there are NO rules for playdates at my house ...
More from The Stir: 9 Rules Moms Should Follow at the Playground
1. No burning the house down. Cause that's just unacceptable. I mean, come on.
2. No drawing blood. Everyone gets the occasional bump or bruise ... even a scratch here or there is par for the course. But as soon as the blood starts flowing, the fun is over.
3. If you're going to draw on the wall, use a washable marker, NOT a Sharpie. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser isn't really magic, you know.
4. If you're going to jump on the furniture, the limit is 2 kids per bed/couch. Otherwise, say hello to your little concussion.
5. Watching TV is totally allowed. But if your mom has some kind of rule about screen time at your house, maybe don't mention that I let you watch a Dora the Explorer marathon.
6. Snacks are totally allowed. But if your mom has some kind of rule about no sugar at your house, maybe don't mention that I let you eat a couple of popsicles.
7. Yell and scream as loud as you want, but remember: I won't be able to hear you because those little things in my ears are blasting Led Zeppelin.
8. If you're going to smush play-dough into the carpet, try to use that old hunk of mixed-up colors that looks like a mound of poo, because nobody will miss it.
9. If you're not allowed to chew gum at your house and you chew gum at my house and it gets stuck in your hair, I'm telling your mother I have no idea how it got there.
10. You will be expected to help put all the toys away ... if you want to know where to find them the next time you come over for a playdate. Because frankly I am not going to spend all afternoon digging under the couch for missing Lego pieces. (Your arms are tinier anyway.)
What are your playdate "rules" of conduct?
Image via James Emery/Flickr
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Comments 33
Sounds very very simliar to my rules...especially about the marker
I guess my others are :
1.If you insist on using my floor-to-ceiling curtains in your fort , that is fine, just don't climb up the curtains to get them, ask the dad person to pull them down, which he will gladly do.
2.The dog is perfectly acceptable to use as a monster, highway, dinosaur , whatever.
3.Above all, be a kid and have fun. There are no major rules or consequences in my house.
I can see why kids like it at your house. LOL But if your kids come to mine, we don't jump on furniture EVER, I may have to beat them with a wet noodle, we have a trampoline and a pool for that. I expect inside voices INSIDE my house, and reasonable ones outside so we don't have the neighbors calling DCS. Playdoh, and gum are FOREVER banned at my house. That is reserved for Grammy and Grandma thanks. I haveexactly ONE wall you can draw on and it is only for chalk, draw on anything else but paper, and I'll refer you to the wet noodle, and the naughty spot. When your time is up you can enjoy the rest of the time cleaning up your own mess. If it happens again, you aren't coming back. A little decorum goes a long way to a happy playdate in my house. OH and FYI, mouthy kids don't fare well in my home. Respect my home, my things, and me, you are in for a pool swimming, craft making, game playing, baking kind of day. A Dora marathon with fresh krispie treats or popcorn balls you got to help make is always on the menu. Especially on a rainy FL day. ;-)
Three rules: Don't harm yourself, don't harm anyone else, and don't harm your environment. Anything else is fair game!
LOL @ Meryl I am SOOOOOO with you on the whining and the dogs! OH OH and the bedroom thing, CRACKED ME UP!!! I FORGOT your rules, but SO go in my house! ;-)
My rules are simple. Yelling and extra dirt (not what clings on your pants, what you are carrying in the tractor) belong outside. The dogs think they are kids too, so expect them to help you dig, ride bikes and jump on the couch. All couch cushions, fort building materials and small pointy objects (IE legos) must be off the floor before you leave. Ah, yeah, that covers it. Oh, wait, no riding the horses, cows, sheep or pigs without adult supervision and helmets. Quads too.
I want to visit Equestrians house! Her life sounds SO cool! Not just from this posts but others. I have this picturesque rolling green landscape in my head filled with all our furry friends. ;-)
1. once the yelling is louder than my music, its time to chill.
2. dont throw stuff out of windows because i dont want to walk down 3 stories and then back up.
3. dont jump from the couch to the table. see that tiny scar on lil girls chin? her teeth went thru right there, doing that.
4. no gum. i dont want to explain why we cut your hair.
5. dont tell me your mommy is better because ... i dont care.
6. watch all the movies you want, because we dont have t.v. for dora, umi zoomie, kai lan, or anything else. i read .. why pay a cable bill?
7. if a toy gets fought over, i will put it up.
8. you can stay the night, but no juice before bed.
9. once the baby lays down, no playing in that room.
10. take the time out like a man, if you are a loud crybaby, chances are i wont want u back over.