I am a pregnant first time mum so no experience with 5 year olds.
For example, I babysat for my 5- and 2-year-old nieces last night. They are pretty good when my brother is there but as soon as he leaves there's a change in their playing etc. Last night they got dressed for bed. They were playing in their bedroom which was fine, gave me peace and quiet and occasionally coming into the lounge, playing excitably at 6.30 pm and not respecting their elders (me). I sent to to the bedroom to play which was fine with them. The 5-year-old wet her pants which is a bit unacceptable as she shouldn't be doing this. Anyway, I got her changed into fresh clothes.
Next thing they are in the kitchen where I noticed it got quiet. They had been pinching little chocolate balls from the work top so I moved the chocolate to the back of the work top where they shouldn't have been able to reach but I was wrong. This time I caught the 2-year-old with a ball in her hand which I took off of her and told them off yet again for the night. Next thing they are out of their bed clothes and playing in their bathers!
By this point I had had enough. They weren't listening to me and were just out of control. So I thought okay leave this for my brother to see. He was fuming when he got in and saw them disrespecting and not listening to me and just doing as they please without listening to me. They must think they can get away with murder when with me, despite me shouting at the top of my voice. My niece later accused me while my brother was out of the room of stealing the chocolate! What a bloody nerve of this child and disrespectful to me. They obviously don't see me as a threat right?
Any advice on how to control them as I am starting to not want to babysit them. I babysit them every Wednesday while my brother is out for an hour playing football.