How Early in the Day Are You Willing to Allow Your Kids to Have Friends Over?

10am is when I let my kids go out and play outside or go knocking on neighbors doors. I would be cranky if kids were knocking on my door at 8:10!
"Hey. If I told ya once, I told ya a thousand times. Don't knock on my door until 10am. Thank you!"

The kids might be calling without asking their parents or the parents might not remember your schedule because seriously they probably have enough trouble remembering their own. lol.

I work from home and find that most people don't understand that a) it's a real job and I have to do for 8 hrs a day and b) I'm working and not able to drop everything just because you want to chit chat or have me do something for you.

I'd say to tell your kids what times and days they can have friends over and let the kids answer the phone early in the morning. Know that these kids aren't doing this to piss you off. They are just wanting to play and figure that it's they are up so are your kids.

ETA: read your update.
To keep your own sanity, don't feel "bad" about turning them away. And don't feel you have to be the house that takes all the kids in because their parents are lousy. That is THEIR problem. Don't let them make it your, problem. They, like any parent, HAVE TO, be responsible for their own kids, instead of pawning them off to you.
Per that one Mom I mentioned that used to call me because of her bored son, well too bad. I said we are busy etc. and I did NOT give her the opportunity to then say "Well how about later today then?" Because, I did not give the excuse that "its too early now... " Because if I said "its too early now..." she would reply with "Well, when then? How about later? Like 9 or 10:00am? Or what about the afternoon... or later?" She would start naming ALL the other time frames, just to get her BORED son, to my house. So I just said NO. We are busy.
She had a lot of nerve. Why don't she just be a Mom and mind her own son!
I did, have her son over before, at MY, time preference or day. My son knows her son and are in school together. But it was up to, ME. Not her. And her son, is just always hungry or thirsty and always asking for things to eat while here, and it really used up my own food/groceries/budget.
Then her boy would start asking to come over all the time.
Ugh.
So then it is just no now.
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I think, the kids being at your doorstep THAT early, is.so.obnoxious.of.them.and.the.Mom
Good grief.
I would NEVER, send my kids over to someone's house that early, and I would NOT even let a kid in my house that early.

My kids were on break recently. No early calls or kids on my doorstep here.
Also, I tell MY own kids, do not go outside SO early even if they are awake, because, the neighbors are not awake and it is TOO early. Don't want to wake them with the kids' noises when playing outside.
But when it is a bit later in the morning, they can.

The other neighbor parents don't care that you work from home. To them, you are just home. So they send their kids over to your house and call you all the time and early. Because, they just see you are home.
And they want to get their kids, out of the house... so then they send their kids to your, house. Or call you, very early.
And... they probably are all calling YOUR house or going to YOUR house... because, the parents just want their kids out of the house... ALL day.
And it is so obnoxious, of those kids/the parents, to do that and think you will "babysit" their kids and feed them, from early morning. Because that is what will happen.

I would just be cranky and show it and say NO.
Just NO.
Anything before 9:00am is TOO early.
Except if this was something planned, which YOU prepped for and planed, AHEAD of time.

I used to have a Mom, that called me BEFORE 8:00am, because her son was "bored" already and wanted to come play at our house, with my son.
Luckily, they do not live, RIGHT next door. Otherwise, I know her kids would just be popping up on my doorstep all the time. I repeatedly said No. Or that we were busy. Or that, it just is not a good day etc. So she finally started to back off.
It was SO irritating.
I don't like being the "keep my kid busy because he is bored already, so I am sending him to your house now..." house. NO way.
And I am not going to be used, as a playhouse, for your kid that is always, bored. Nor is my kid, going to be your kid's entertainment for when he is bored. I mean, her kid is ALWAYS bored.

DO NOT let those obnoxious neighbor kids over.
And if they are being dropped off and calling you themselves, then, they can simply call their Mom right back to say "come pick me up I can't stay."
The parents are just dumping their kids are your doorstep.
Because, they can.
And they are getting "free" childcare while their kids are on break and then, they don't have their kids home.

You don't have to give them reasons.
Just say I don't want any kids/guests over. We're busy.
Good bye.
Close the door.

My confession: I hate hate having kids over real early in the a.m.!! It makes me feel horrible, but with our house usually being the house where everyone congregates, 8:00 is just too early! I have (for years now) made it a standing rule that if our shades/curtains are not open, then it's not a time for early visitors. Simple. Now and then, new kids will move into the neighborhood and we have to teach them the rule, but most everyone understands that. We've recently moved to another state and we've had to teach everyone around here that same rule. The first 2 months were rough! hahaha I think 10 a.m. is great. Oh, and if a child "forgets" about the drawn shades rule, I politely but sternly say, "Sorry, but the curtains are closed. When they are open, the kids can play. They aren't ready for company yet". Then, I close the door with a small smile.

Now, if my kid(s) wake up, get dressed, eat, etc.. on their own and want to go to someone else's house, I'm fine with that if it's okay with the parents in that house. But typically, my children like to sleep in like I do! (whew). So, Nope. Not off-based, in my opinion! :)

Yep, 10 AM would be the earliest for me. I wouldn't answer the phone or the door before then.

I totally agree with you! If we have a child over before 9, it's because the parents and I have arranged this in advance and usually it's because the parents of the other child have to go to work that day.

There's not a chance in hell I'd let my kids go calling on a neighbor - either in-person or on the phone - before a reasonable hour. By phone, I might let them call as early as 9 if I know the family is typically up and running by then but I try to keep them off the phone until 10. I would not let them call on a neighbor before 10 unless they can see the kids outside anyway.

ETA: Diane D's comment reminded me that my husband is one of those "If I'm up, the WHOLE WORLD must be up too" kinds of people. It just doesn't occur to him that just because he is up late or early doesn't mean that everyone else is too. I can't tell you how many times he's reached for the phone at 10 PM or 7 AM to call a customer and set up an appointment for a damage appraisal on their car and I've had to say "are you crazy? You don't call people at this hour!!" So yeah, it can be hard for kids too, but their parents should be the ones saying "it's too early, chill out."

As a parent, I'd prefer 9:30 or 10 am, BUT I remember as a kid ringing the bell (and vice versa) at my BFF for a day of bike riding, playing as early as 7:30 on the weekend. Heck, we were up and ready to go.

That said, it is different if the parent told me not to come by so early. I actually had one of my friend's mom's turn me away at dinner time - lol. I picked up on it. Anyways, just re-state to your kids the time frame, re-state to the kids and the parents and provide the reasoning you just gave us.

however, kids calling the house at 8:30 if I was up and no babies are being woken up. totally ok with the phone ringing that time.

On Saturdays and over summer vacation we usually don't start our day until 10:00 or 10:30am. The odd kid will show up or call earlier, but I just tell them that we haven't eaten or dressed yet, so call back later. I know many kids (and parents) who are up and ready to go at the crack of dawn each day, and I know a few that will sleep until noon every chance they get. I don't think there is a right or wrong time to start looking to play, but if they have been told that your household doesn't play before 10:00am then they should respect that. Kids just aren't usually very good at remembering such details. I wouldn't let it bother me, unless they are waking you all up. Just keep reminding them that you don't start playing until 10:00am.

I remember when I was a kid my friend across the street and I liked to watch Saturday morning cartoons together. We got up at 6:30am on Saturdays and either she came to my house or I went to hers. We didn't even wake up any of the adults.

I'm with ya.

I'd put up a sign on your door that says, "Smith Kids play hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm" or something like that.

8:30 would probably be a typical time here for kids to drop by. The sun's been up for an hour and a half, breakfast is done, and kids are already getting bored. If you don't want to entertain the neighborhood while you work from home (I certainly wouldn't), put a note on your front door so you don't have to turn away kids in person. And I simply wouldn't answer the phone until the time you think it's acceptable. Your children's friends will get the point.

Last thought... most people don't understand that working from home is WORKING. And many may think you've taken time off to be with your kids (like they probably have if they work in offices).

If the boys are up, they can go out and play. Considering that the days are getting shorter, I try to give them as much time outdoors as possible.

I don't often have other kids in the house. They can all go play outside or in their treehouse. If it's 0700, I don't care as long as they leave quietly and don't go in and out. Once they're out, they stay out.

ETA: Okay, after reading your SWH I have to comment.

I'm not an uncaring parent because I send my kids out to play. Nor do I not want to pay for childcare. For kids who are over 8 years old, playing outside doesn't require constant supervision. Shoot, when I was 6 I was outside at the crack of dawn with my friends and only came back in when I was hungry. It had nothing to do with my mom being "fed up" or "pawning me off." I was a KID and wanted to play outdoors! My kids are no different.

I think you could stand to reduce your involvement in the kids' playtime when they're home on vacation. Consider that your kids don't NEED you to do everything in the morning. They can get some breakfast, get dressed, and go play outside without you even getting out of bed. Give them direction and they won't be such a bother.

Some parents allow their kids a higher level of independence. That doesn't make them bad parents, just because that's not how you do things.

Anytime after 0900.

I would also verify that if they are going over to a friend's house - one of the parents is NOT a shift worker. Then that changes the ball game for me.

I don't allow my kids to make phone calls before 0900 or after 2100 (9PM). UNLESS it's an emergency - death, fire, accident, etc.

If you are comfortable with 10AM - then it's YOUR HOME. YOUR RULES. Set the standard and stick with it. Make it known to the other children on the block the rules you have set up and stick to it!

Good luck!

That's way too early for me.
I would just answer the door and say it's too early, come back after lunch
time. Then they'll know because it will hopefully be after they've eaten.
I'm sure they are just excited but it's okay for you to say it's too early and come back again later then you can play. :)

I wonder if the parents of these kids are hoping that their kids will end up at your house so the parents can get work done at home or they maybe hope to foist the kids on you while the parents are at the office--?

We have never been a neighborhood or a family where kids just turned up at each others' doors unannounced, at any time of day, period. Even during vacation time, kids around here have enough activities that they can't just drop in on each other, and parents need to make arrangements, which is fine with me.

As for the time, I'd be fine with my daughter (12) doing things on the weekend or a school holiday as early as 8:00 or even earlier but only IF it had been arranged in advance between the parents. But if it is a case of another kid just calling to say "Can you do this today?" I would not expect a call before 8:00 and wouldn't expect anything to get going before 9:00.

In your case, I'd have sent the parents of these kids a quick and friendly e-mail that same morning along the lines of, "Child really enjoys YourChild's company over the school vacation but please be sure that YourChild gives us a call first before dropping by -- we may not be up yet, or may be doing other things that morning, so a call around or after 9:00 would make sure that Child and YourChild can get together." Any parent with a brain will get it.

You are not off base. Go with whatever works for YOUR family and your work at home. I work at home too and know how valuable time is to folks like you and me.

We are so seldome home that I have never thought of this...and my kids don't use the phone yet, at least not really.

My 10 year old daughter would facetime with friends as early as 6am during the summer. I was okay with this because all of the girls were up (they like to be up before the parents leave the house) and all of the parents knew they were doing this. I even enjoyed getting to tell my "dance daughters" to have a good day before I left for work.

A lot of times, it depends on the other kids though. Do they follow my rules? Are they respectful? How much work is it on my part for them to be in my home? If they mesh with my family and I don't even know they are there (you know what I mean), then I don't care when they come or go...

We have a 10am rule. That way we know the neighborhood is up and we don't feel rude for allowing our kids to ring doorbells. The other kids know not to come over to our house until after 10 as well. That way all the kids eat a proper breakfast, get dressed and do some work before running off to play.

I think theyall sound inconsiderate. 8:15 is way too early. The eariliest I would have kids over is 10- 11 am. I would calmly tell the parents again. Don't repeat yourself when your telling them. Then I would either temp disconnect my doorbell or tell your kids they are not allowed to answer the door before 10 to 11 am. They will get the hint if you refuse to answer the door. Good luck.