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We all know that childhood passes quickly, and as grandparents,
we want to enjoy the time we spend with our young grandchildren.
But we also want to enjoy that new furniture that was
impractical (and unaffordable) when their parents were
young! Here are 5 ways to make sure that the two can
co-exist:
1. Create a Child-Safe area! Kids will be kids and they
need a place where they can be themselves. Have an area
in your home where they can be rowdy and loud. They
will be more likely to gravitate to that area than to
remain in the "adult" area where they must
be on their best behavior.
2. Buy washable slipcovers for that white damask sofa.
Accidents will happen even with the best of intentions.
You want to enjoy your grandchildren, not spend their
entire visit on edge worrying that they will get the
sofa dirty! Put the slipcovers on before they visit,
then throw them in the washer as the kids head out the
door!
3. Put colorful plastic placemats or table cloths over
a layer of cotton batting on your fine tables. The children
will then have a place to use crayons in coloring books
or play with other toys without worrying that they will
mar the tabletop. Just fold the placemats up and put
them in a closet when the children return home.
4. Buy some colorful rugs with adorned with games such
as checkers or a printed race course for their cars.
They will love to use their imagination playing on the
floor (and stay off the sofa!). Again, fold them up
and put them in a closet when the kids leave!
5. Set down rules for Grandma's house. Make sure they
know that certain behaviors are not allowed in certain
areas - rules like "No liquids (especially cherry
kool-aid) in the living room). But be sure to tell them
what they CAN do and where they CAN play! Accentuate
the positive!
If you are prepared, you can enjoy having your grandkids
visit and teach them proper behavior - all without worrying
about that new furniture you waited so long to buy!
Now, if we can just get their parents to behave! |
