Children and "play -dates"

mozattack

Hi there,

I have a 7 year old who is in 2nd class.

At his last friend's b-day party a child's mother came up to me and said her son (another school mate) is dying for my son to call to the house and she'd love it that could be organised.

She said she would leave a note in with son on school on monday to organise.

I got a text now asking if my little lad could go with them to their house for a few hours tomorrow and she would drop him back or I could collect, whatever.

She lives in Waterford too and she seems nice although I have no idea about them. All I know is that they seem "normal" like us and the kids mother was mature, possibly in her late 30s.

I am torn as (a) it would be nice for my child to have more friends but (b) there is a potential risk there when I dont know the family.

What would you do?

Morag

Call over and stay for the first play date.
Bake or bring something to have with a cup of tea.
That way you can see what the home and family is like and if you'd be happy with your child going there.

Daisy M

Its a bit of a minefield alright. The first time my son went over to a friends house he want brought home until late evening. I tried ringing the house but couldnt get an answer. I knew the parents not terribly well but enough otherwise I think I would have been ringing the Gardai! I have lightened up since those days and luckily I am from the area we now live in so know at least one of each of my childrens friends parents.
Get a mobile number for the mum also I would advise saying you need him home by a particular time or offer to collect him a lot of parents will say x time but then the kids will beg for longer and they will give in. I always text other parents if we get delayed but most parents from my experience dont!

lynski

have my 5yr olds first school friend playdate tomorrow. we agreed that I we would all go for the first time anyway and see how they got on. She has a daughter more or less the same age as mine also.
I think the first time you have to go, i would not have a child in my house if i had not met the parents, even from the estate.

Kildrought

God be with days when you rang the neighbours door bell enquiring if 'Mary was coming out to play?'.....

mozattack

Sharrow wrote: »

Call over and stay for the first play date.
Bake or bring something to have with a cup of tea.
That way you can see what the home and family is like and if you'd be happy with your child going there.

I am a guy so kinda awkward seeing if i could stay there and bringing a cake would be too unusual for a man to do. Maybe that is immature but...

mozattack

Kildrought wrote: »

God be with days when you rang the neighbours door bell enquiring if 'Mary was coming out to play?'.....

True, but this is a schoold friend, not a local friend. Where I live there are hardly any kids his own age so I'd welcome a friend.

UPDATE:

Isn't it terrible that I have to reject the offer from another parent to take my son for a few hours, entertain him and drop him home in the 1 in a million chance that there could be a perfert lurking in that house, but I eered on the side of caution and said "he isn't feeling well at the moment".

Its a real shame, the mother was late 30s and I was wondering was he a lonely child and he just wanted his friend (my son) over to play. The innocence of it all but we cant trust anyone anymore.

Its terrible really.

Morag

Bring sausage rolls

seamus

Sharrow wrote: »

Bring sausage rolls

Could be vegetarian, you'd be better off with buns or cakes

Kildrought

Bring a bottle of wine & see if Mammy is lonely too!

ok,ok I'm joking!

Gloomtastic!

Am I the only one here astounded that there are parents with a 7 year old who has never had a playdate?

Socialising with their peers is hugely important for all children - inside and outside of school.

Potential risks of allowing your child to play at someone elses house? My goodness, they might just enjoy themselves. :eek:

Relax OP, you can't wrap them in cotton wool all their lives.

mrswalton

Why don't you invite the mom and kid round to yours next week.