I currently have a group of 2 x1 year olds, 2 x2 year olds, and 2 x3 year olds. They are full of fun, imaginative play, they are adorable to watch play. However, I find myself reminding them of simple house rules 10-15 times a DAY. Things like jumping on the couch, standing on the couch, jumping/standing on my large ottoman, playing inside the sliding mirror front hall closet, going into MY bedroom and jumping on MY bed!! They just don't get it. I am by no means 'gentle' in reminding them of these very basic house rules, but I feel like a broken record! I have one 3 year old girl who is constantly sucking on my kids' toothpaste, playing with their toothbrushes whenever she is using the bathroom.
Am I missing something here? After 5 years of daycare I have never had such a group blatantly ignore the sound of my voice such as this group.
Am I expecting too much a group of little ones? Mind you, I am not talking about the 1 year olds, they are not quite as mobile to get in as much trouble as the others!
Another big one- I have never allowed drinks out of the kitchen area. Everyday someone takes their sippy from the counter and leaves it to drip on the carpet, of on my train table, or hidden in a bookcase.
I gave dcg a time out yesterday when I caught her doing this, but a few hours later, she takes her cup, tucks it under her arm and wandered through the toy room.
Besides keeping drinks in the fridge so they don't have free access to them, does anybody have some advice in regards to my 'not-so-hard-to-understand House Rules!? Thanks!!