Help me decide an appropriate punishment for my dc!

[3Ddonut]

They have been playing up dh all day (I've been in bed after finishing nights - not lazy ) ds has thrown a book at dd and caused a big scratch down the side of her eye and dd has been egging him on to do generally 'naughty' things for days. I thought that they were bored, have to be quiet, weather rubbish, most of their toys inaccesable due to ceiling falling down in the living room a few weeks ago and EVERYTHING in the whole house being covered in thick dust.....so....they've been out for tea with dh and Grandma, Grandad and cousins, they come home and go upstairs to play/watch TV and wait for their bath to be ready. I'm busy in the kitchen getting my tea and making my bait for work tonight, I hear running water from above......I turn round and see water pouring down the wall (the wall on the other side of the one which had the water pouring down it a few weeks ago where the ceiling fell down!) We've just had the ceiling replaced (yes, the entire ceiling) and everything got covered in muck again. I ran upstairs to see what could have caused the mess and find dd (5) and ds (3 - nearly 4) with a great big bowl and loads of water all over the bathroom and their bedroom carpets, so bad that you squelch in there. They have ruined loads of their books and put soaking wet flannels all over their beds. DH and I just don't know how to punish them for this, it's just naughty, they weren't bored, they'd just got home and they know that wet floors = ceilings falling down as I'm always telling them to be careful not to get too much water out of the bath and they've seen first hand that ceilings do fall down. HELP!!!!!

[Wilkie]

OMG!!! Nightmare?

Do you have any nice trips planned that you could cancel??

[donnie]

Oh God how bloody awful - the mess must be ghastly!
I would do something quite severe: no tv ( although that causes problems in itself) for a set number of days or else something else they really like cancelled. You should also get them to help clear up a bit. No bedtime stories for a while either. Poor you.

[Gobbledigook]

I would put them to bed right now, regardless of what else you need to do.

Cancel something that you'd planned to do with them, definitely.

[gscrym]

Remove toys from them. No sweets/ pocket money. No treat like snacks. Take the telly out of their room. Get them to help with the cleaning up.

I know how you feel, it's awful when the kids play up and you have to go out on nights.

[3Ddonut]

Thanks for your support!!! We did say that they could have a party for all their friends before they go back to school (even though the house is still very much upside down) which will be cancelled, which makes me feel guilty as my friends always have us round and I was going to return the favour, but I'll just do it in the October half term instead. I wated something a bit more noticeable for them now, the no tv thing wouldn't work. I usually confiscate dd's skirts and dresses when she misbehaves (rarely) for a few days (she hates wearing trousers) but it's a bit too warm for that and I can't think of anything for ds....

[MyTwopenceworth]

Little sods!

Ok. What do they really hate?

Do they have a favourite toy? Do they have any savings or pocket money that could be taken to pay for the damage?

Or. You could sit them down, individually, and ask them how they think you feel. Get them to think about how what they have done has affected you. Ask them what they think they could do to make amends. Agree that. Tell them you are Disappointed.

[3Ddonut]

Gobildegook, this happened about and hour and a half ago and both dc are fast asleep!!!!

[NAB3]

They definitely need to help with clearing up. Nothing will make them face up to their actions than that!

[WanderingTrolley]

Explain that you will have to cancel lots of treats to pay for the damage.

Throw out ruined stuff and do not replace.

Take away anything that is slightly damp and let them 'earn' it back, once it has dried.

I would also lay it on thick about trust, and have them sitting being very bored, whilst you do housework etc, because you don't know what they'll get up to if they are upstairs alone. Three and five - old enough to know better.

I would be v tempted to sell them on ebay, personally. You must be livid.

[oregonianabroad]

hang them from their ankles... poor you!
I'd ask them to suggest their own punishments over breakfast in the morning, but come prepared with something suitable in case they don't suggest anything suitable.

[LittleBellatrixLeBoot]

Don't forget to tell them you're going to tell the laydees on the internet about them and ask them what they think of them.

My DD goes ape at that threat!

[Wilkie]

Father Christmas?? Could you explain that you will be writing to him?

[WanderingTrolley]

Oh good one Wilkie.

I think you may find you have his mobile number, donut. Then they can earn their Christmas presents back twixt now and then.

[3Ddonut]

Father Christmas was a FAB threat last Nov/dec would have ds agreeing to anything!!!!! you're right I do have his number........

we have cancelled their party that they were going to have for their friends they haven't seen for weeks dd not bothered even though her 'boyfriend' was coming ds distraught think he thinks we've cancelled his birthday party#! we haven't and he knows.... we have also banned ice-cream until after the holiday's both not happy at that one! ds asked if he could go on the rides, asked him what he thought, he said he should be allowed so we agreed although it's not often,,, asked them why they did it they said they were playing 'bath the dogs' assumiing toy dogs as we don't have real ones and water was dropped (repeatedly) hope that this is enough....... if behaviour continues they will continue to loose treats such as rides etc,