Hi everyone! I've been hosting for about a year now, and have never encountered something like this. I need advice.
A woman instant-booked my room and included that there would be three additional guests with her. No names or anything. I prepared additional mattresses, etc, and got everything ready. She arrives with three children. These children are probably between 5 and 9. For the first two hours they were at our house, they got into everything, including my personal bedroom, and were louder than any kids I have ever met-- and I have a 5yo and 6yo. I explained to the children, as well as their mother, that while I understand they must be bored, they cannot go through our things. I come downstairs a second time and see the kids going through the contents of my desk. I explain again that they should not go through my things. I went back to my room upstairs and as I am explaining to my husband that I reiterated our requests, I HEAR THEM PLAYING WITH OUR THINGS (it was a card we got my husband for fathers day, that plays the superman theme song upon opening). I go back downstairs and am more stern this time and say "stop touching our stuff." I don't know how else to communicate this. While I am downstairs with their mother, I explain that we go to bed early (around 7pm) because we have to wake up early, etc. This information is clearly stated in our profile. We put our kids to bed, and the mother clearly doesn't have the energy to deal with these kids, or simply doesn't understand the idea of boundaries. I continue to try and sleep, and at this point its about 9pm and the kids are running through the house screaming and playing. I go back downstairs and explain to the mother that I have too much going on (not to mention, 8wks pregnant with another) to not get any sleep. She says she understands, but clearly didn't.
This morning she messaged me asking if she can give her kids some of our food in the fridge.
I feel bad for her, because its likely that she has nowhere else to go with three kids, and they obviously don't listen to her. However, I simply can't afford not being able to sleep. On top of being in a PhD program, I am a reservist and have to work all through the weekend. What am I supposed to do? I am dreading even going home right now because I know I won't be able to manage these kids, and babysitting isn't included in the room.
What would you guys do? I've tried being nice and patient, but nothing is getting through to them.
