Having friends over

I think it really depends on the ages of the kids and what they are doing.  I don't think they should be mean to each other, but I also think kids should have the opportunity to have their own friends over at a certain age, and to be left alone if they want to.  It could really vary by situation though.

I have four kids.  The youngest is two and doesn't really care.  My four year old can go either way and is perfectly happy playing with me and her younger sister.  It's my 7 and 8 year old that are the issue.  No matter what I've tried someone is whining at me or crying because their friend 'likes my sibling better than me." 

Quoting DarlaHood:

I think it really depends on the ages of the kids and what they are doing.  I don't think they should be mean to each other, but I also think kids should have the opportunity to have their own friends over at a certain age, and to be left alone if they want to.  It could really vary by situation though.

That's defnitely tough because you have that whole three is a crowd thing.  And they are young enough and close enough in age that it's hard to tell one they can't join in!  And they probably even share a lot of the same friends.  My dd had two friends at that age, and if only two of them were together it was great, no matter which two.  But add in the third and same thing you're experiencing.  I guess I'd go with let them work it out.  They probably do need to learn for themselves to navigate the situation. Unfortunately, that doesn't bring you peace!!  

Quoting tihone77:

I have four kids.  The youngest is two and doesn't really care.  My four year old can go either way and is perfectly happy playing with me and her younger sister.  It's my 7 and 8 year old that are the issue.  No matter what I've tried someone is whining at me or crying because their friend 'likes my sibling better than me." 

Quoting DarlaHood:

I think it really depends on the ages of the kids and what they are doing.  I don't think they should be mean to each other, but I also think kids should have the opportunity to have their own friends over at a certain age, and to be left alone if they want to.  It could really vary by situation though.

 Depends on who it is and which kid they are here to play with. If my oldest (13) then the younger ones have to stay out of her room..which they do anyway. If it's a mutual family friends kids they can play wherever with whoever.

My kids are pretty much the same age, so when a friend comes over they usually play together , or one or two go off and do there own thing, we have a play room so they all stay in teh same place.

 i only have one kid, but when my niece and nephew are staying with us..like now....i let them do what they want......most of the time they all play together..dd is 8, nephew is 9, niece is 11...this time tho my daughter and nephew seem to be playing better together...it just all depends!!!

I like peace.  Unfortunately, I think I would rather be the house everyone comes to instead of the other way around.  At least that way I know what they are doing.  But peace sounds good too!  I am leaning toward just letting them work it out, but wanted to see other opinions.  Thanks.  :-)

Quoting DarlaHood:

That's defnitely tough because you have that whole three is a crowd thing.  And they are young enough and close enough in age that it's hard to tell one they can't join in!  And they probably even share a lot of the same friends.  My dd had two friends at that age, and if only two of them were together it was great, no matter which two.  But add in the third and same thing you're experiencing.  I guess I'd go with let them work it out.  They probably do need to learn for themselves to navigate the situation. Unfortunately, that doesn't bring you peace!!  

Quoting tihone77:

I have four kids.  The youngest is two and doesn't really care.  My four year old can go either way and is perfectly happy playing with me and her younger sister.  It's my 7 and 8 year old that are the issue.  No matter what I've tried someone is whining at me or crying because their friend 'likes my sibling better than me." 

Quoting DarlaHood:

I think it really depends on the ages of the kids and what they are doing.  I don't think they should be mean to each other, but I also think kids should have the opportunity to have their own friends over at a certain age, and to be left alone if they want to.  It could really vary by situation though.

LOL.  I know what you mean.  I felt the same way.  I finally just got some peace, and my youngest dd is 18 now!!  She's going off to college in Sept., and I think I will be wishing for some noise :)

Quoting tihone77:

I like peace.  Unfortunately, I think I would rather be the house everyone comes to instead of the other way around.  At least that way I know what they are doing.  But peace sounds good too!  I am leaning toward just letting them work it out, but wanted to see other opinions.  Thanks.  :-)

Quoting DarlaHood:

That's defnitely tough because you have that whole three is a crowd thing.  And they are young enough and close enough in age that it's hard to tell one they can't join in!  And they probably even share a lot of the same friends.  My dd had two friends at that age, and if only two of them were together it was great, no matter which two.  But add in the third and same thing you're experiencing.  I guess I'd go with let them work it out.  They probably do need to learn for themselves to navigate the situation. Unfortunately, that doesn't bring you peace!!  

My dd isn't old enough for me to be dealing with the whole "having friends over" thing yet, but I do remember when I was younger being at a friend's house with a bunch of other girls my age (6 or 7?). We were all playing Uno or something and I decided I didn't want to play anymore. There was a different game there that was new to me and I wanted to play that instead, so I asked one of the other girls if she wanted to play it with me. She said sure and then all of a sudden the mother of the girl's house we were at told me that we HAD to play the same game as the rest of the girls. I remember getting upset and calling my mother and telling her to come get me. I'll never forget it. I sat in my mom's car and cried while she talked to my friend's mom. If the other girls wanted me to keep playing with them then they would have said so. I don't think the mother should have interfered. Kids need to learn how to cope with each other on their own.