5 Things You Shouldn't Let Your Child Do when Visiting

Kids will be kids and you can't expect their behavior to be perfect, but it is best not to let them run rampant while in someone else's home. Even if you are visiting a friend or family member, it is still best to use some common courtesy. Your friends or relatives might not say anything, but that doesn't mean they appreciate having their home turned upside down. Here are a few ways to make your stay pleasant for everyone.

How to handle messes.

If your children are old enough make sure they clean up after themselves. If they are too young to clean up after themselves then it is your job as the parent to clean any messes. The person you are visiting should not have to go around cleaning up after your children.

How to handle bedtime.

If you will be staying overnight or longer bedtime may present a problem if your children do not have a regular bedtime schedule. You might let your children stay up late in your own home but doing so in someone else's home can be disruptive to their routine. You should take into consideration whether those you are staying with have an early morning work schedule or whether their children go to bed early.

Don't leave young children unsupervised in the bathroom.

Young children often find undesirable ways to entertain themselves such as playing in water, clogging up the toilet with bathroom tissue or pouring shampoos out in the bathtub. Slips and falls can easily occur too so make sure children are not playing in the bathroom by keeping the door closed.

Keep children out of the refrigerator.

Young children tend to stand gazing into the open refrigerator not knowing what they want. Mishaps also occur when young children try to pick up something that is too heavy for them such as a gallon of milk. My granddaughter recently dropped a large pitcher of kool-aid and made a sticky mess of my kitchen floor when she attempted to be a big girl and help herself. Make sure that an adult is always available to get a child a drink or snack.

Curb unruly behavior.