5 Ways To Make Sure Your Young Grandchildren and Your New Furniture Can Co-Exist!

by Pamela Cole Harris

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!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pamela Cole Harris is an editor and writer with 35 years experience. Visit her website, http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com, for her unique view of home decorating and remodeling (and a free monthly newsletter!). Or for original content unique to your website, written especially for your keywords and your audience, visit http://www.pamelacoleharris.com.

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