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Mum declares it’s time people stop bringing their young kids to her house.

Mother-of-one, Kelly Rose Bradford, 43, who has a 13-year-old son named William, says she’s past the point of cleaning up after young children.

She explains to FEMAIL why she’s made her decision – and why she definitely won’t be changing her mind…

“Despite being a mum myself, I really cannot stand having small children in my home.

My son is way past the toddler stage, and my house reflects that. I no longer have to worry about soft furnishings being ruined by sticky hands, or not having breakables on low shelves.

I don’t have to use a guard when I light fires, and I can have as many candles and tea-lights lit and gently scenting the house as I want. Until of course, someone rocks up with a toddler.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to see my friends and their children, just on neutral territory.

And whilst some get that my home isn’t exactly child-friendly and so always come alone, or suggest a nearby coffee shop, others seem to think that the burden of responsibility falls on me to have carried out a risk assessment when they arrive with their knee-high entourage.

It was a particularly horrendous recent visit from a friend I do not see very often that has now sealed the fate for all toddlers wanting to enter my home: I am not a play centre, and you are no longer welcome.

Do I feel guilty for having a blanket ban on all young children, based on the actions of a few? No. Because they all have the potential for harm, and in these days of laid back, ‘free spirit’ parenting, even people I consider sensible, normal adults are reluctant to keep their kids in check, seemingly thinking that everyone else should work around them. And I am not alone in feeling this way.

‘The real problem is the parents,’ says my friend Marie. ‘ They do not see the need for discipline and you know that the little monster will spend its time in your house basically doing what it wants.’

In your own home, it should be entirely reasonable to do so.

My house, my rules. And right now, those rules clearly state no pre-schoolers. And what’s more, if the grown ups don’t buck up their lacklustre, lazy parenting methods it might also eventually extend to them, too.”

Read the full post here.

Can you relate to what Kelly is saying?

Share your comments below.

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  • I do not have a problem with this ladies views but I do have a problem with the use of kids in the story…kids are baby goats ..children are the young of humans.

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  • I have to agree with at least part of the article. My house, my rules especially. No bouncing or standing on furniture. I have seen the results of children falling whilst doing those things.
    Just remember that if a anybody injures themselves in your house, some people will sue for anything these days. Also I don’t want my furniture damaged. (It’s my pride and job, something I saved very hard to buy and now want to enjoy it – not have it wrecked). I’ve already had one sofa damaged to the point that the upholstery “sunk” because a child insisted on bouncing on it every time she visited or had a sleepover as well. I’m afraid if anybody’s child starts fooling around on furniture I will stop them, not wait for them to fall and injure themselves. If the parents don’t like it and take offence, not only are they not watching their children, they don’t respect your wishes if you have spoken to the parents about it previously. I don’t allow my young children to go into other rooms where I can’t see what they are doing either. They have to sit down or stand still while drinking, not run around and risk spilling it everywhere, especially on carpet or sofas etc.

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  • I agree… a house is so much more wonderful when there are kids in it.

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  • I understand what she is saying.
    Candles and breakables and all the like don’t go together with kids.
    But kids are more important then things and ME, me, me….

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  • I am not agreeing with you
    The kids are gift from god
    And houses without this gifts boring

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  • I do understand what she is saying. I find when people with young children visit they dont watch their kids and I end up having to keep an eye on them. Its frustrating and i find I cant relax.

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  • It’s her house so she can do as she pleases. Personally I love having kids in my home. But then I have no issues speaking out to the kids’ parents when something happens I don’t like.

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  • It is fair enough to have rules in your home and everyone does have rules in their home. Parents and the owner of a home need to let the children know the rules in advance and the expectations on acceptable behaviour. If neutral territory works for them it is a non issue and no one has to worry about their personal belongings. However on neutral territory there are still rules for appropriate behaviour in shops and parks etc.

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  • Each to their own! I call the friends on This one! As parents we need to teach our little ones to have courtesy, manners and respect for others belongings and for other people in general! I am constantly told to relax at family and friends houses as I trail my little one to make sure he is aware that boundaries exist and that they are everywhere! As well as to keep my little one safe as I do not expect people to safe guard their home for my visit! Very thoughtful that some try but truth is I still trail them as I never know what he may want to get up to! Even in shopping centres he now knows not to touch what is not his and for a 2 yr old in the toy section showing respect for others things is amazing but it all comes down to parenting! I wonder what these children this women comments on are going to be like in their older years??

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  • It is her house so it’s her choice!

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  • I kind of can. My kids have left home and I’m not keen on having toddlers in my home. It’s not toddler friendly and the tots aren’t always kept an eye on

    Reply

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