Much as you love the little darlings, they can wreak havoc on your house when they come to stay. Be prepared for their arrival

Whether it’s your first time having grandchildren stay or you’re a seasoned pro, there are always a few things that will ensure their stay is a success. From childproofing your home to making sure their sleeping arrangements are just right, here are four simple tips for preparing your house for your grandchildren.

Childproof your house

This means keeping store cupboards locked, tidying away any clutter that could cause accidents and, for younger children, perhaps even installing additional safety measures such as soft close toilet seats. 

Children will get into everything, given half a chance, so make sure you keep everything sealed to avoid sticky little fingers getting into trouble. By taking a few simple precautions, you can help avoid any accidents and ensure that everyone has a fun and safe time.

Sleeping arrangements

Next, it’s time to think about where your grandchild will be sleeping during their stay. If they’re going to be in a bedroom, make sure the bed is suitable, and made up as comfortably as possible, and there are plenty of pillows and blankets. 

If they are sleeping in a travel cot or on a mattress on the floor, make sure it’s as comfortable as possible with plenty of bedding. It’s also important to establish a set bedtime and stick to it as closely as possible to minimise disruption and discomfort for them.

Check-in with parents

If this isn’t the first time your grandchild has stayed with you, then you might already be aware of any dietary requirements or new medicines they need to take. However, if this is the first time, or if there have been any changes since they last visited, it’s always best to check in with their parents beforehand so that you can be prepared. This way, you can make sure you have any special foods or medicines they might need and that everyone is happy and healthy during their stay.

Also consider that they might be worried about their children, or missing them overnight. Reassure them that everything is under control, stay in touch. And if a crisis arises, make sure that check in with them before taking action.

Activities

Finally, planning some fun activities for when your grandchild is staying with you is important. This might mean planning some days out to local parks or attractions, or it could be something as simple as staying in and doing some cooking or baking together, followed by a movie. Whatever you choose to do, the important thing is that you spend quality time together and create some happy memories that will last long after they’ve gone home again.

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We hope our four tips for preparing your home for grandchildren have been helpful! Childproofing your house, making sure their sleeping arrangements are comfortable, checking in with parents about any dietary requirements or new medicines, and planning some fun activities should ensure that everyone has a wonderful time during their stay. Enjoy!