Chloe gets off the bus at 4:00, needs to do homework, eat dinner, possibly take a bath, and be in PJs by 7:30. Most friends live within 5-10 minutes of us. She wants to play with friends every day.
I on the other hand pretty much hate having kids over and I hate schlepping her back and forth to friends’ houses.
So I don’t think either of us has perspective on what’s reasonable. Any thoughts? Also, any tips for making it easier and more pleasant to facilitate play dates are appreciated.
Playdates for us are reserved for the weekends. Weeknights are just too busy with homework, baths and just eating dinner.
(Though she has a friend across the street that I do let her play with on weekday nights.)
Also a 7 year old.
Same here. Weeknights he plays with kids up the road/across the street if he plays. Otherwise, weekends for more formal playdates (which are also for Mommy since I’m friends with some moms).
Also 7.
Can’t she just just go to her friend’s house without you? No schleping involved then.
For my kids, then can run around the neighborhood, go to the park, and play with the kids who live near us. More scheduled play dates are reserved for weekends.
5-10 minutes walk or drive?
What I do is pick both kids up from school, or they can catch the bus together, or the other mum picks them up. Then they can play for an hour or so, then the extra one goes home. If they are having a playdate, they can skip their homework (except reading) and do double the next day (my kids got weekly homework).
I’d do this maybe once a fortnight, but some other kids we knew might do it a couple of times a week. Whatever you are comfortable with.