How to get kids to stop running in the house?

LilBigBug

So, we *finally* got hubby's girls for the remainder of their vacation (issues with his ex).  No matter HOW many times I tell them, put them in time out, and talk to them, they won't stop running/stomping/playing on the stairs.  They won't even listen to hubby half the time.  I don't know what's going on at his exes, and I don't know if it's them testing their limits or not.  Any advice?  The kids are 4 and 6, i f that helps.

 

dragon_chica

Yes, they're testing you.  I don't know if you've tried this but say these things in a positive way.  Instead of "No running" say "Walk, please."  And when they do walk acknowledge that good behavior as if you just won the lottery.  What works for me in my classroom (I teach Kinder) is saying things like, "Oh no, I hear kids making too much noise," or if one is behaving and the other isn't praise the "good" one profusely.  You can also help them practice displaying good behavior.  Talk to them about how to walk in the house and then together walk around the house playing follow the leader.  HTH.

LilBigBug

I've tried saying things in a positive way, I've tried calmly talking to them, I've yelled at them (they just refuse to look at me when they know they're in trouble), I've tried sternly talking to them, sometimes spanking (not hard, but enough to know they're in trouble), and putting them in time out and nothing.  I don't know if it's the excitement of being here after not seeing us for awhile, or what.  Usually they're good kids, but I'm pretty sure with his ex playing the games she does, I'm thinking they're seeing what they can get away from here.  The only thing that seems to work half the the time is telling them that if they don't behave, they're going back to mommy's (which I hate saying, so I *rarely* use it as an excuse).  

 

I might have to do the follow the leader thing, that might actually work.  Now if I could just get the youngest to STOP playing on the stairs.  At this point I'm ready for her to hurt herself playing on the stairs so she knows not to do it.

 

Is it possible that they forget/revert because of the different (i.e. NO) rules at their mother's? 

dragon_chica

If their mom isn't consistent with the discipline then you'll have a big problem.  I see this all the time with students from 2 homes.  There will be inconsistency in both households and parents playing the blame game.  Instead they need to sit down and agree on a set of rules and expectations that need to occur in both homes.  Those poor girls are probably confused as to what's acceptable and what's not.  Does your DH step in and lay down the law because that's really more his responsibility as the bio parent.  He also needs to make it clear that the rules are set by the two of you and they need to follow it whether he's there or you're there.

Kingston54

Give them an explanation and a consequence.  "We can't run in the house because someone could get hurt or something could get damaged"  "If you run in the house again, you will not be able to watch TV for the rest of the day" 

Might be unfortunate to discipline them over their/your vacation, but the point will get across and they will not do it next time or for the remainder.  Most important thing is not to make false threats and to stick to what you say you are going to do - make sure your DH is on board.