Do you let your primary school aged kids go to friends houses during the week after school? My kids are 7 and 9 and are constantly at me to either have friends over after school or go to their friends house.
Do you let your primary school aged kids go to friends houses during the week after school? My kids are 7 and 9 and are constantly at me to either have friends over after school or go to their friends house.
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6 Replies
Not after school, no. But on weekends and school holidays, yes.
Yes, we did this a lot as kids and so I did the same with my son. We limit one play date a week per kid.
We loved having friends over after school. Usually it was go home from school together and pick up by 5pm.
As we got older the play date would involve us doing our homework together if we had some and some playtime. But always pick up by 5pm.
I loved having my sons friends come to play too. It gave me a good feel for who he was spending his time with, extra entertainment and I found they were more likely to play outside than want to watch TV etc.
Yes I think its great, encourage them to play
We don't make a habit out of it but sometimes they have play dates after school.
We don't normally get home til 4 though and it's dark by 5 here in the winter. So it's not really practical for us.
I don't think every night is acceptable but once or twice a week is good and having limits (pick up by 5, must still do homework or chores afterwards or during) is fine.
In this day and age, I think it's important to encourage kids to do all the playing and interacting with each other as possible.
I remember my best friend coming home after school a lot. We'd walk home and then hang out in my bedroom writing poems and stuff or singing.
My kids are overwhelmed after a day at school and need downtime.
I made the mistake years ago of saying yes to my daughter's friend, who used to pester me at school pick up to come for a play without first asking my daughter what she wanted. This girl's home was always jam packed with family day care kids, no wonder she was desperate for an escape, but not my problem. Plus she wasn't a very nice child. My kid already knew it.
I say go with what works best for your child and your family situation. I'd be more inclined to have the play date in my home until I knew the kid and their parent well enough. Neigbhourhood hangs are always good, then no one's in either home, they just play out the front (if in a safe street) and you keep an eye on them, then yell out when it's time to come in