I have 2 kids. 3.5 yrs old girl and 10 month boy. We live in apartment.
Daily my kids used to make mess in whole house. What I mean my "mess" is that they put their toys everywhere, drag their washed cloths here and there, take out kitchen items and play with those, never allow us to throw their nappy boxes and play with it. But not painting on the wall, pulling/tilting over furniture etc. They do have their room to play. But they never played there. My younger one just follows my daughter's toys. He haven't started his own messing yet.
Sometimes it is up to a point where I have to watch my every step when I walk in to house. For me it's really hard to clean and vacuum after long day at work. Whenever friends and families come over, I don't have time to clean and house looks very messy. It's really embarrassing.
This is where me and wife used to argue. I prefer a reasonably clean house with a dedicated play area. And I argue with her saying,
you haven't properly trained them to behave. You should teach them to play and pick-up the toys after that.
But she tells
kids need to learn and I should let then play creatively anywhere. And we don't have back yard as well. So this is the only option to me.
I am wondering am I reacting too much? or is it very common on every-houses with similar age kids/toddlers?