Are your kids always asking, "Can my friends come over?" I know this is hard, remember I have 3 kids of my own, to always have friends over. It comes with some extra work sometimes. I always try to take advantage of these time though. Right now my kids are little, but as they get older I want to be the "Cool Mom" where all the kids want to go to hang out. Why you may ask? Its not because I'm crazy...I think. It is because I want to know what my kids are doing, who they are hanging out, and what their friends are like. This is very important to me. I think the best way to do that is to be the "Cool Mom" that always has kids over. I want to have a relationship with my kids friends. Maybe they will need someone to talk to one day that isn't there parents and I can influence them for the better. Here are some tips to help you be the "Cool Mom".
1. Snacks - Lets face it. Kids like to eat. I always have lots of great snacks for the kids including fruit, ice pops, or cookies. If their bellies are full they are happy.
2. Happy Greeting - I always make a point of welcoming my kids' friends and calling them by name. That helps them know you know who they are and that you are interested in them.
3. Play with them - If they want you to, take some time to play with them. We love to play hide and seek when my kids have friends over. The kids get such a kick out of it. I usually look for them and make a big deal about how I can't find them and I pass over them. They are always laughing from under the table or behind the curtain.
4. Have a fun activity - Set up some play-doh or water color paint outside or in the kitchen for them to do. We all know we are not fond of some of these activities for our own kids because they can get messy but these activities go a long way with friends. You are there watching them anyway and may not get a lot of other things done so why not.
I think doing these things when your kids are 4-8 will go a long way when they are headed toward the teenage years. We plan to set up our basement with an area for them with a fridge stocked with drinks, snacks, a ping pong table, darts, and a TV. A place they can go and hang out that we know is safe.
Take advantage of the times when your kids want to have friends over. You don't have to say yes every time but if you always say no they will stop asking.
What are your ideas for being a "Cool Mom"? What things work well for your kids? Leave us a comment and let us know so we can help each other navigate this crazy road of parenting.
