What age has other mums allowed playdates. My 3 yr old has been asked over for a playdate with a friend from daycare. Have only met the parent in passing. This is our first playdate so I am a little nervous. Do I stay or just drop off. How long do playdates go for? Would love any advice. I have not mentioned the playdate request to my child.
8 Replies
Stay for the play date. At three it's pretty normal for the mums/dads to have a coffee while watching the kids play etc.
Play dates for a young child (from my experience) generally mean "let's sit and have a coffee and cake whilst we watch the kids play".
Especially if you don't know the other parent.
Next time you see them, give her your number or ask her to message you on Facebook to discuss a suitable time. Then say, "would you like me to bring some cake for us to all share"? (Hinting that you'd like to stay).
If you are really nervous, meet at a park.
All my 3.5 year olds play dates are at the park. For an hour or two. But we know the other parents.
With a three year old id expect the parent to stay. I wouldnt mind if they dropped but if it was my child i wouldnt leave them until you get to know the adults and where they'll be. Take a bakery bread or fruit snack its nice to adult chat while the kids are playing happily together.
There's no way I would leave my 3 year old with people I didn't know! Actually I would go as far as to say only grandparents or aunties or uncles.
There are bad people out there I would never even let it be possible for something to happen to my child. A woman I know actually let her 4 year old go to play dates with a boy from day care and the parents were pedophiles. He's now completely messed up. Don't mean to scare you but it happens.
Stay for the play date. If they act like they want you to go that's strange.
Stay for the play date - I think that would be pretty standard.
Yes 100% stay! At three, no way would I leave my child at a strangers house. Plus I'm sure the other parent would be thankful for the extra pair of eyes, ears and hands!!
I agree... stay for the first play date. If you like the parent, then you have a new friend as well. Win win. But an important part of being a kid is making friends, so encourage all the way.
I like to get to know the parent first so i would invite the other parent to the park so the kids can have a play while we sit and chat.