You know those awesome summer days ... you want to go play with those cute kids of your neighbors. I play water balloon fights, Nerf gun fights and hide and go seek with the kids around my home. They are all under the age of 12 but for some reason I love playing fun game with them!
So, with all things there are rules. Here is a list of 12 rules I compiled concerning playing with other people's children. Now I do NOT mean playing with children of people you do now know. I am talking about playing with children where you KNOW their parents for a good long time (a few months perhaps?).
So, here we go:
Rules I follow with Children
1. Safety before fun.
2. All rules set by their parents will be followed.
3. The children in your presence will obey you in situations where their safety or the safety of others is concerned. If they do not comply, they will be asked to go home and the behavior reported to the parent or guardian
4. The parents’ or guardians’ permission is always obtained before any activities are commenced. The area(s) and duration is specifically obtained by the parent or guardian once permission is given.
5. The parent or guardian is contacted before any gift from you is revealed to the child.
6. When a child is hurt in any way, the parent or guardian is immediately contacted.
7. If a child's behavior is out of the norm, either positive or negative, the parent or guardian should be informed.
8. Profane humor or profanity is not permitted. There is so much humor that is not. Any profanity or profane humor will be reported to the parent or guardian.
9. Anything that could be used as a potential harming object will be removed for their safety. No exceptions. Should they not listen to you concerning their safety they should be asked to go home.
10. Every child in your presence will treat every other child with kindness and respect. Wrestling, pushing, pinning, punching or other suppressing physical behavior towards others should not be tolerated. Again, if they continue to do so, they will be asked to leave and their guardian or parent will be contacted about their behavior.
11. Unless a child is related to you, they will not enter your house or any enclosed structure with you without their parent, guardian or another trusted adult present.
12. When playing with children there is an another parent, guardian or trusted adult close by within speaking or visual distance. A parent or guardian may entrust you with their children for a specific period of time and within a specific area. A timer should be used to endure time is closely observed.
Observing their creativity and playing a small part in their childhood is an honor!
I usually print these rules out on cards and give them to parents and guardians. Every adult I give these to think these rules are very well written. A few parents have actually told me that this card gives them a peace of mind because I have thought so carefully about their children to create it!
