It is time for playmates and playdates!
If it’s a first playdate, invite a parent in and have a cuppa or two. It will give their little one comfort, and they will settle better. Kiddy meet ups are great for developing social skills, especially if you have an only child. Let your little one pick who they want to come to play! Don’t be bossy troll mummy, their opinions are important. Start with ONE before attempting to juggle two or three children. Check out our 10 activities to do with your toddler ideas.
Your children will have a better social life than you. Accept that you will need to sacrifice your lounge to hyperactive three ft boys in Batman masks.
There were scathing cries of ‘that’s mine’, tears and an attempt to smother a friend with a Buzz Lightyear pillow.
It’s good to talk with your child beforehand about how other people will be playing with their toys. Review the expected behaviour and plan a reward for good sharing. I set brief rules of ‘play nicely and have kind hands’ soon after pick up and have an open door policy. Then I can hear when voices get above a certain pitch (i.e. screaming).
#Check usual bed and dinner times.
I had one little boy who ate dinner at four whilst we usually eat at six. You don’t want another person’s child starving and having to eat your wallpaper. (Ask sensible questions like do they have allergies and make sure you have parental mobile numbers).
If it’s the first playdate say you will try for an hour or two and see how it goes, things may descend into chaos and overtired crying. Other kids will have caffeine for blood and their parents are not worried if you come home at nine pm. Or at all. If our little is at a playdate, we just want a quiet drink and to watch Homes under the Hammer.
#Do you have pets?
Overexcited jumping and salivating will likely occur (from animals as well as children). Some kids will not be familiar or confident with dogs or cats, so it may be good to put them in the kitchen at first. Talk to the little visitors about how pets might act and how to be kind towards them. Avoid Fred the fish floating upside down in the toilet (traumatic memory from my own childhood.)
#Don’t stress or over plan.
I do find it reassuring to have a structured activity. It will help little’s communicate and learn to get along, especially if it’s the first playdate. My son’s favourite thing is having flour and Hotwheels on the table. Encourage outside play as much as possible in Summer – we like hunting for mini-beasts! After tea, let them have an all-out assault on the bedroom as free play is important. You will spend the next three days tidying up the carnage.
#Prepare snacks!
Children are bottomless pits. Pick simple food. Our favourites are cheese, bananas, and brioche. I happily provide chocolate biscuits but avoid sugary sweets. I am not a strict parent in regards to food but do consider other parents’ wishes. You don’t want them high on E numbers. Check out our lunchbox ideas for if you are being brave and taking the children out of the house. Make sure you have ice cream in the fridge! And a Sauvignon Blanc.
#Manage the mess.
Don’t clean the house for anyone under the age of twenty! Or over for that matter. Friends are visiting for a playdate, not an estate agent.
One little boy sweetly told me he, ‘liked my dust.’
I have a loose rule that only one toy box gets raided at a time. Otherwise, everything will be on the floor, broken and someone’s will stand on Lego Wolverine. Have at least one planned activity, like this Stickibox car craft kit. Ask kids if they want the toilet before they start playing. They will literally hold it to busting, or beyond. Make sure they know where the toilet is to avoid weeing in the under the stairs cupboard.
#Do NOT serve broccoli for tea!
You spent four years bribing your child to eat it by describing it as an ‘awesome mini tree’. Other infants will stare at you wide-eyed and incredulous. One little said, ‘I don’t eat this for daddy even when he gives me Smarties’. Legend. I stick with spaghetti, you can sneak in really small sliced up mushrooms, onions and carroty goodness. Always have child friendly pizza choices and ketchup on hand, it’s like catnip for kids.
Put ornaments you like up high! Also, make sure there are no sharp edges in your lounge, they will wrestle. Scrapes will happen, don’t panic. Throw cushions will be pummelled. I try and find a balance between backing off letting them have fun and casually calming them down before complete hysteria takes over, usually with a well-timed offer of a drink.
#Toy loans after a playdate?
Your child may be all happy smiles and generous proclamations that his new best friend can borrow Burt the bear. So you agree. Then five minutes after the playdate ends the world ends without Burt. FFS. Try books first rather than your children’s favourite toys. If after dinner kids want to watch TV don’t feel you will be judged by other parents. It can also be used as a back-up for if things go nuclear.
Wind down time is good, as is giving a ten-minute warning for when its home time. Update parents on what their children did, how much they ate on the playdate etc. Be honest if things turned into superhero warfare! After the playdate resolve to never have another again. Then arrange to have little Timmy over for a sleepover Saturday. Because let’s face it, as parents we all like punishment.
Have you any war stories from playdates, what works and what doesn’t?
If you enjoyed this post go check out our Jungle YouTube channel for general mischief and mayhem!
6 comments
We are just entering the realm of unsupervised play dates or the parents go home… It’s a minefield, thanks for some great tips! Will def make sure there are plenty of snacks and scatter cushions 🙂 good to have you link up #PuddingLove
Thank you lovely, PROTECT ALL THE GOOD CHINA!!!! xxx
How have I missed these posts before! This is soooo good, I feel I should pin it or bookmark it or print it and stick it on my fridge for when I get to the play date phase…just the thought, I’d need all the help I can get! #puddinglove
They are my first posts before I knew about the world of linkies so no one really got to see them! Archive posts lol…well as archive as you can get for 6 weeks!xx
I love this! It really made me chuckle! But really useful too! Thank you! (My little one is only 19 months but I will store it away for future reference!) X
Haha ohh bless her, I was totally clueless when it came to the first playtimes..many things got broken…x