Family content editor Omeshnie Naidoo suggests you court the inevitable, for that elusive, moment of peace.
An endless supply of good quality batteries
In all sizes and in large amounts. For everything from toy trains, to the really noisy gifts they got for Christmas. You know the ones that play loud music and flash lights. This way you still be able to watch TV with a remote control that hasn’t been robbed.
Anything messy
If they can get both hands in and get dirty without being reprimanded, you’ve got a winner. Think home-made volcanoes, paper mache pinata making, water balloon fights, kinetic sand, baking, play doh and finger painting. Just be sure to take it outside.
No personal space
Give up on the hope of having any real personal space and just get used to answering their questions about where their shoes are while you’re in the shower. They’ll get what they want and you won't have to listen to them whine about it, while their father aimlessly looks around for said shoes.
Never having to dress their beds ever
Just pull the duvet over and close the door.
Only ever eat out as a family at ‘restaurants’ that have play areas
Fine dining means absolutely nothing if you have to ride the elevator to keep your toddler from tearing the place apart.
Make room
Or invest in baskets and boxes to keep some order. Kids will bring home stones, bugs, shells, blooms, sticks - you name it, they’re collecting it. Or worse they’re giving it to you as a gift. Hang in there though, hopefully they will forget about some of it and the you can just throw it out later.
Let them choose their clothes as often as possible
My son wore a pair of bright blues jeans that were size 2 to 3 until he was about age 5. Now he wears his t-shirts back-to-front. Yes you will be embarrassed on occasion but it apparently builds character to let them express their tastes and personality in their attire. Also there is the chance the one time you really want them to wear what you’ve bought, you can guilt them into doing so.