Parents of small kids & school holidays ..

Question

What do you do when all the kids in the neighbourhood can`t seem to play nice together ? My garden has been full of kids all week they all come to play with my 6 yr old daughter which is fine but there always seems to be a strop at some point and the kids are ok its the mothers who end up making the most noise !

I am so fed up now of the holidays i wish i could keep my kids in for the peace !

Answer 1

I know! But you should just be glad you live in a place like that...we live in a really quiet area and there is only one other kid and her Mum is SOOO shy and protective...theyre on their own and I think Mum is nervous of letting her daughter out of her sight...we're working on it but Id LOVE it if they'd come over....oh..we're a very nice family so it's not because we're chavs or anything!

Answer 2

From what you've described in your additional comment doesn't sound like much you can do but what you're doing and hope that it makes a positive impression on those children so that perhaps they'll aspire to more than what they currently have in their lives. You're a good person.  

Answer 3

I used to have the same problem.

I used to grin a bare it. If the children are happy, that's what counts. Bugger the parents.

Sorry, I couldn't give you a solution.

Answer 4

I wish i could help, but my daughter just plays with one girl on the street and I love it that way, they get on really well and I don't see them fighting.

If i was you I would limit how many you have on your garden or in your house, then you have'nt got as many to look after.

Good Luck and don't let them spoil the holiday.

Answer 5

I know exactly how you feel.  It's the area you live in.  I have the same problem.

I don't have kids come over, I keep myself and my daughter to ourselves.  I invite certain kids over from school, one at a time, and I supervise.  There is ALWAYS some issue with the kid, they can't play properly.  They can't share, they don't know how to play a proper game.  Either I have to teach them to play, or my daughter has to run mindlessly around like them. (They are 7.)

The parents are mindless, they have never spent time playing with them or teaching them how to be.  They spend all their time smoking and gossiping about other people.

I don't make my house open to other kids, because I couldn't live like that.

Answer 6

try and get a rota going of trusted parents and activities, you get a bit of a break then. It doesn't need to cost either. It works well with fewer kids but up to 6 is managable. Say what day you are prepared to do, eg Monday. you have neighbours kids over, chuck water, washing up liquid, toys, dolls etc out in garden, plastic bottle of drink with name on (stops arguing) a packed lunch and a list of rules for naughty behaviour, reward for good play! you have to spend the day watching/ caring etc but then get free days when the other parents have your child. I used to be part of a group like this and it worked well. You have to let go and make yourself let your child go and spend time with others, it's hard at first but very quickly you will feel the benefits! Shopping without your own kids is great and so much quicker and cheaper, go for lunch with a pal, get a hairdo, do housework uninteruppted........ get a group going!!