Friday, February 7, 2014
Am I Doing Playdates All Wrong?
Playdates.
I've never been a fan of the word. It just sounds so...cutesy.
My kids have had a lot of playdates over the years. These days they can go over to friends houses and I no longer have to join them. Natalie has several kids who come over here to play. On other days, she goes to their homes. I always assumed because the kids were older, that they were capable of entertaining themselves. I send everyone to Natalie's room when they come over.
Then Natalie started telling me all the things she does when she goes over to her friends houses:
"When I go see my friend, her Mommy does Science experiments with us."
"We're allowed to play dress up in her Mommy's closet and dance in her Mommy and Daddy's room. Their door isn't shut like your room always is."
"We had organic cookies and juice, because organic is better I guess."
"Her Mommy had a picnic with us. We didn't watch TV at all because my friend hadn't earned enough tickets to watch."
"We learned about constellations. Her Mommy showed us a book and we all drew pictures of our favorite. I like the Big Dipper!"
I was like,
Am I doing playdates all wrong?!
I didn't know I was meant to STAY with the kids! This is what happens when children come to our house: I send them upstairs to Natalie's room where a television AND a Wii live. I remind them to stay out of my room. Not because I'm worried they'll break anything, but because it's generally littered with dirty clothes and cat hair. If they try to come downstairs and sit on the couch, I remind them that the toys live in Natalie's room. If they say they are hungry, I usually hand over the following:
--Gushers
--Fruit Roll Ups
--Little Debbie snacks
None of which are organic.
I'm surprised anyone allows their kids to come over. I wonder what their child says?
"Oh, I went to Natalie's house. We had to stay in her room. But it was okay because Natalie has a TV and a Wii and she doesn't need to earn tickets to play them. Natalie's Mommy is either cleaning, reading, or on her computer. She hands us food that is not organic and tells us to go upstairs. We can't go in her room. Natalie and I usually play Disney Infinity the entire time. Is it violent when Natalie makes her Rapunzel character throw frying pans at mine?"
Look, I'm not crafty so I'm not about to sit around a table with kids and create something. Natalie has returned home with the following before:
--a princess crown
--a frame
--a painted leaf
I'm an Only Child and I never babysat, so I'm never sure what to say to other people's children. Hell, I sometimes don't even know what to say to MY OWN children. I'll stare blankly at them, wondering what comes after, "How was your day?"
I can't do picnics, because then I worry I won't be able to get back up. And also, if I prepared picnic food it would either come from KFC or I'd make sandwiches with white bread and non-organic meat and cheese. I'd serve regular juice.
I wouldn't want a strange child pulling my clothes on. What if she doesn't wipe properly after using the bathroom and her urine is now all over my dress?
I'm glad Natalie has friends over because it means she's entertained. When her friends are not over, she constantly wants me to play with her. Barbies, princess, dress ups, Disney Infinity, Memory, cooking shows...the list never ends. I'll just never be the fun parent. I'll never be the one that other kids squeal over. "Yay, Natalie's Mom! Today she's teaching us how to make something with quinoa!" (I would NEVER. Quinoa scares me.)
It's okay though. Everyone is different.
Maybe one day when Natalie has a friend over we can make something in her Easy Bake oven.
Maybe.
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I don't usually comment, but actually the kids who come over to play with Natalie probably love that you don't feed them organic treats and they get to watch TV and play with the Wii. That's what play dates are about...getting to do something fun that you wouldn't get to do at your own home.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up my mom threw us all out of the house and said "go play" and didn't bother to know what mischief we got into just as long as we came home when she called for dinner. Parents are too uptight anymore nowadays.
Melaka
My kids can have friends over only if they stay upstairs and away from me. I'm so bad with other people's kids. They play Minecraft and watch Youtube videos and I hand out Capri Suns and Doritos. I'm pretty sure the Doritos are free range, though.
ReplyDeleteI always thought the whole point in a playdate was so the kids could entertain each other - without me having to do it!!!
ReplyDeleteThe last time my youngest son had a friend over to spend the night I only saw them once in about 12 hours - perfect!!! And because we aren't huge snackers I don't even think about offering food - if they come in and ask for a snack I pretty much let them have whatever they want.
I am cracking up.
ReplyDeleteI will never be the fun parent. Even when people watch my kids for me, I'll say, "They're pretty self-reliant. Read or something." And I'll come home and Des has created a hand-painted masterpiece and his hands have been clean. And Scarlet has just recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Or something.
I'm having a playdate today. They will get Annie's Organic Bunnies, but only because Cassidy won't buy Goldfish because he heard they have MSG.
You're letting them be kids and forge a friendship on their own without a parent helicoptering. You get 10 thumbs up in my book!
ReplyDelete"Mommy, I had the BEST time at Natalie's house!! We got to watch a lot of movies, we could play on the Wii for as long as we wanted. Natalie's Mommy was SO nice, she gave us something to eat when ever we asked. We didn't have to wait for a long time or anything like that. Natalie's Mommy did not stay with us every minute of the playdate. We got to share SECRETS and do SECRET things and I LOVED IT!!! I can't wait to go back there!!!"
ReplyDeleteThat's what they probably say. They were probably RELIEVED to be out from under militant structure. They're already doing all that at school, they need a break from school, c'mon. Its good to be all educational and everything but c'mon. When are they supposed to get a break?
When I was growing up, my mom always sent us upstairs for playdates! And she served cookies, brownies, etc. My girls are still too little to get dropped off, but once we're at that stage, there is no way I'll be spending all this time trying to entertain them. Like you said, that's why you have playdates, so they'll leave you alone for a bit! Haha. I think you're doing it totally right:)
ReplyDeleteI thought the whole point of kid's having friends over was so they can entertain each other. I don't understand parents that have to always give structure play time.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, my mom was constantly telling me to get out of the house and go find some friends to play with. We were always just going from one person's house to the next.
I'll be exactly like you Amber. Here's some gushers, now go away.
Clearly I'm doing it wrong too! We have a ton of kids on our street, and they all pop in and out of our houses. We send them outside to play, or upstairs to the playroom. I think Natalie's playdates sound like too much work. I'd never want anyone over, lol.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where Natalie is finding friends, but I and my kids parents were more like me.. I have never liked having kids over.
ReplyDeleteNow they are older, my kids friends like me. I'm a cool mom.. not sure why, but I'll take it.
Like one of the other commenters, the other kids probably like you aren't hovering over them like their parents and get to eat 'good' stuff.
PS my room is always shut off...it's a mess
Oh yeah, I've been there.... a long long time ago.
ReplyDeleteSo. Here's what's really happening. Those other moms are just showing off, and/or covering for a secret life of drunkenness and internet lovers. They know full well that the kids will come home and tell you all the wonderful things that they did at their friends house and you will feel incompetent and worthless, when in reality you are the good mom and she is a drunken whore.
I hate play dates, I usually send them outside or to the playroom to watch a movie. and the only snack they get here is gold fish and water. you are doing the right way, these over the top helicopter parents have it all wrong.
ReplyDeleteOrganic "treats" sound gross to me. I used to get mad when I went to a friend's house as a kid, and her mother would only let us drink water, no juice or soda.
ReplyDeleteI imagine if your daughter or her friends thought it was odd, or if they wanted something different to happen, they would have said something or asked you to do something differently. I of course want to know where the kids are at all times, but we adults don't need to be up their butts all the time. They can (and should be able to, at times) entertain themselves.
Wait a second I had high hopes that when my daughter is old enough for unsupervised play dates it would mean an extra boost of "me time". I am not painting leaves probably ever! Stopping by from sits.
ReplyDeleteWhen I grew up our house sounds like it was a lot like yours. While we didn't have the tv and wii in our rooms...my parents let us go on our own and do our own thing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're doing great. Besides the kids probably enjoy coming to your house because you let them go and be kids and do their own thing...
My daughter's friends like to come over because I let them paint, play with slime etc. Last week, I brought in snow for them to play with since it was too cold to be out in it. They get to do things here their parents don't allow in their homes. The only time I have had a project was when her and her friend wanted to build gingerbread houses. All I did was help put the house together and they did the rest as I went back to paying bills etc. As for food, some of her friends have food allergies and one I has some sensitivities to certain dyes. So, I do try to have on hand what they can eat.
ReplyDeleteI don't like playdates. I have too many kids already to be supervising someone else's. I'm always afraid they'll go home and tell their parents how our house is messy and I say bad words. Plus I don't like wearing pants, and apparently if it's not your kid, it's bad to sit around on the laptop without pants on.
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious! I don't think a play date needs to be a big to-do. Playing with a friend should be enough.
ReplyDeleteHaha…I thought the reason for playdates is for the friends to entertain each other. No science experiments here! They can play in the playroom and NOT go upstairs, and not because it's messy, but because I don't want THEM to make it messy!
ReplyDeleteI think you do playdates just fine :)
ReplyDeleteHey, I wrote a whole post on organics, etc., and I'm a crafty mom, and I still think you do playdates just fine. The point is to have a different experience than you have at home. And, I CANNOT WAIT until my children are old enough to play with friends in their own room. That sounds utterly delightful!
ReplyDeleteyou and I would get along great!
ReplyDeleteI'll make cupcakes (ignore that box with the string, that's how I do it, ahem) and your bring the wine.
I also have a fenced in backyard complete with sandbox and a lockable patio door. just saying.
I LOVE it when Michael has friends that come over because like you I get SICK AND TIRED of always being the main entertainment around here. And that's always when he asks for special treats that I only say yes to when he has a friend over. lol He works it good. I am a little curious on this ticket system though...
ReplyDeletethat's why I hate having play dates! I hate having to entertain other people's kids. and break up fights. and feed them. argh!
ReplyDeleteThis is so me!
ReplyDeleteI'm like "Here's a juice box, the playroom is over there. Don't hurt each other!".
Uh...what kind of friends does your daughter have?!?!? lol. My playdates consist of just letting this kids go loose in the playroom. I didn't know that I had to be an active participant?!?!
ReplyDeleteI even like when I have toddlers come over because then I sit on my computer and let them do whatever they do haha. 2 year olds can't get in much trouble right?
ReplyDeleteYou know what I think - I think kids need variety. I love that you have your own routine and way of doing things. When I was growing up, my mother had a really clean house, generally didn't allow friends inside, and never let me have friends over for dinner. My girlfriend, however, was fro a crazed family of ten. When we went over there, we ran through a clothes-hamper-like home, covered in kids, dogs, and random cats, ate those Aldi brand cinnamon rolls, and occasionally stuck our hands in a huge vat of spaghetti and chowed down. It was awesome. I loved visiting her place and she loved coming to mine. It was a welcome break from the norm. That being said, we were always happy to go back home again because regardless of how cool someone else's house is, home is home. You sound like an awesome mom. Be you!
ReplyDeleteYour house sound FUN! I wanna come over for a playdate. Fuck that organic shit! ;)
ReplyDeleteWe don't often have play dates here. My biggest problem is that I wouldn't want my kids going over to their friend's houses. Too many of them have "daddy just got out of jail" stories to tell! If we did have play dates, I'd do them like yours!!
ReplyDeleteI thought playdates were about playing, as long as they're playing and having fun, who cares? They are learning just as much, if not more, from interacting together than from an adult-supervised projects.
ReplyDeleteAMEN! I'm in a mom's group and get judged because I let my 4 year old have fruit snacks and juice. Way to be a normal mom. Pinterest is the devil and those moms need to stay off. If your child is happy, gold star for you!!
ReplyDeleteWho in hell is n't scared by quinoa?
ReplyDeletehahaha!
I'm an only child too, Amber. Pat yourself on the back as you're actually doing a fantastic job! We all stumble along the best we can, my dear. This made me laugh, not at you, just at the picture, '"I'll stare blankly at them, wondering what comes after, "How was your day?" Head up! :)
ReplyDeleteCall me crazy but I think playdates should consist of kids PLAYING WITH EACH OTHER. I am not here to entertain them. I will offer a reasonable amount of snacks and drinks--not organic. SOMETIMES I will get stuff out for them to do a project or craft b/c I'm a former per-k teacher and I LOVE messy cry and free play. I don't DO it FOR them or TELL them what to do I just give them the materials and voila. Also if your kid says they are bored at my house I will offer to call their parents to pick them up.
ReplyDeleteOh dear goodness. I think I have been doing play dates wrong as well. I usually take the kids to some disease infested ball pit and sip lattes and play on the computer while they fight for their lives on zappy, static-y plastic slides.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, my friends always loved to come over because my mom stocked the pantry with Gushers and Fruit Roll Ups. Also, my mom would have died if I brought friends into my parents' room, let alone their closet. I'd say your play dates are much more fun :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I like you more and more! Let's have a "play date" which mostly will consist us our kids keeping each other occupied. Seriously, if I have pizza ordered and snacks on the table, then thank my husband b/c I'm just like "is the bathroom toilet cleaned?" Very cool that your kid comes home with cool crafts and had a good time --- isn't that just the point?
ReplyDeleteOh goodness is this what I have to look forward to. My son is only a year and I already dread the thought of his futute friends coming to my house.
ReplyDeleteLOL I am the mom that hands kids Fruit Roll Ups, too! I am SOOOO un PC when it comes to playdates.
ReplyDeleteI am the same way! I try to avoid playdates at my house haha.
ReplyDeleteHAHA! You do the same thing I do when my children's friends come over. I don't think there's a right or wrong way ;)
ReplyDeleteYour post made me laugh:) Of course everybody has got their own methods, but I agree parent is not there to entertain kids:) As long as children are safe, it's absolutely fine:)
ReplyDeleteI used to love playing with no grownups around when my friends came over when I was a kid! I would probably also send the kids to the playroom or outside if I was a parent
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fun and cool parent when it comes to kids. I'm usually checking on them and nagging them to death.
ReplyDeleteI can totally put myself in your position hahaha. I can imagine how stressing that must be for you, but I guess your daughter would enjoy more if you spent time with her and her friends
ReplyDeleteNathalie was just stating what does she did at her friend's house, she didn't ask you to do the same thing with them. Just let them play, explore by themselves and maybe if you had time, ask them to make a Graham Ball with you and let them mold the balls.
ReplyDeleteEr, I doubt I'd ever do that if I'm being honest lol. Sounds messy.
DeleteI'm not a mom so when my niece comes to visit I spoil her like crazy. We put together Japanese candy kits and eat every bit of it. By the time her mom gets here, we are both bouncing off the walls - ha -
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, I wouldn't make a very good "play date" mom (that is, if I had kids, but I don't, so I'm golden)
I'm not sure there is a right or wrong way to have a playdate. When I grew up it was just nice to go over to someone's house. Granted they may have had more junk food and cable but I just took that as a bonus.
ReplyDeletewell at least they don't feel oppressed at your place, and I am sure they like the "peace" that they have without a parent supervising them :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think its mandatory to do an activity with them, but perhaps keep an eye on them? Maybe check with the parents re snacks, many families don't like their kids coming home sugar loaded.
ReplyDeleteI have had my children's friends come over to play when they were still little kids. It was a lot easier with little girls, but it is a nightmare with little boys. They run a lot, they were noisy and messy! I always told my boys to be at their best behavior when they were in their friends' houses.
ReplyDeleteHehehe I don't think you are doing playdates wrong, you just parent differently from your friend! Funny because I'm sure a lot can relate to you as well as her, too :)
ReplyDeleteKatrinaJeanCarter.wordpress.com
It was so funny!
ReplyDeleteBut to be serious, yeah sometimes kids do observe and notice a lot of things, which makes them compare. With a constant communication with kids, I think playdates are fine.
Every parent is different and everyone will look at each others parenting style and think "they're doing it all wrong". So don't worry, you're only as wrong as everyone else :D
ReplyDeleteKatja xxx
www.katnapped.com
This is my favorite of your posts so far - it made me laugh because I'm the same kind of mom you are. The laid-back, let them entertain themselves kind. The they'll survive playing on their own because I taught them independence kind. The kind with the kids whose friends go home to say, "She let us play all by ourselves and didn't micromange our time, which was nice because as cool as it is to have moms to hang out with, it's also nice to have time and space of our own."
ReplyDeleteYour daughter and her friends are lucky to be exposed to such a wide variety of mom styles - it lets them know that ALL the different ways have their benefits.
Didn't know there was a wrong way to play!
ReplyDeleteI don't have children but looking back at my childhood, usually my playdates with my friends used to be alone, outside, where my grandma would come from time to time to see if we're still there. We never had fancy food or too much attention, and we would be allowed to get dirty and play with the stray cat coming to our garden. And I wouldn't change that for anything! So don't worry, your daughter is having fun and it doesn't matter what other parents say.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that you're doing things wrong at all. I mean, you're probably the fun house because you give the best snacks and let them watch TV
ReplyDeleteHa! Who knew. I was pretty laid back when it came to play dates. I'd put out some snacks and leave the kids to their own devices.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I had playdates, we never played with the parents and we were always in a friends bedroom or the basement playrooms. Some people just have more time than others, but playdates are about kids interacting and having fun, not the parents doing tricks and treats.
ReplyDeleteThis post actually made me giggle. My daughter is getting to that stage and I've been freaking out not knowing what to do. I, Like you, might send them upstairs and leave them to it. You're doing a good job. Every mother is different and kids sometimes like different
ReplyDeleteI don't know if there is a right way or a wrong way to have a play date. When I was a kid I just wanted to be left to it and we can do what we want.
ReplyDeleteEveryone raises their kids differently and have play dates the way they think is right. Just because a few parents do it a certain way doesn't mean your doing it wrong
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think we just do what's comfortable and adhere to individual house rules. When my son's friend came over for playdates, I make sure that they only play in the family room. The boys loves to play Wii games indoor or out in the yard playing snows. I always serve them with snacks. My house rule is no playing in the bedroom.
ReplyDeleteI'd send my kid over to your house any day! Sounds like you've done a great job raising your two kiddos! <3
ReplyDeleteYES, so much all of this! I have to admit that I avoid playdates like the plague. I play games with my daughter, have fun, etc… but when another kid comes over, I have no desire to entertain them, do science experiences, let them wreck my closet, etc… Ahhh, I am going to be a failure at this forever. Okay, I’ll work on it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a pretty sweet playdate to me. The kids would love it. I've only done 1 playdate at our home thus far...I did make some cookies and the girls did some crafts on their own. I think I'm steering away from playdates due to the pressure of thinking to 'have it just right'.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you've hosted playdates. I've never tried because I'm too afraid. I'm already socially awkward, I might scare my children's friends off if I ever host a playdate. Lol.
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious! I always look forward to your posts. I have to admit, I've done the wrong thing a couple of times.. like completely forget about the kids and basically have a "mom's night" Hey... we all need some interaction!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you playdates are much safer than when I am teaching Sunday School! You get all kinds of information that you do not want to know or even request. This is what I love about children they just speak from their heart and make you laugh. I am sure the kids love coming to your house and have plenty of fun!
ReplyDeleteThis totally sounds like me as a parent....especially since I'm like that as a babysitter to two teenagers. They never really want to be bothered with me, but every once in a while we bake. I think I enjoy it more than they do.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, my mom was telling me to get out of the house and go find some friends to play with them.We get together a many kids on different age and played a lot of games
ReplyDeleteLOL I didn't do play dates when I was a kid so when I became a mom, I had NO idea what I was doing. My son only started having frequent play dates last year and so far I think I'm doing A-Ok. As long the kids are having fun. I usually ask the parents if their kid have any allergies but other than day, it's a free game! lol
ReplyDeleteA house with so many kids is always going to be filled with so much of fun and that is something happens most of the times at my home during weekends. There are times when many of us think we are doing play dates wrong, but not wrong all the times for sure!
ReplyDeleteOkay...this is hilarious. And we don't have kids yet, but I feel like I would TOTALLY be the same as you in terms of how I run playdates. I'm an only child as well and I always grew up having to make my own fun...in my room...going in my parents' room wasn't allowed either. With all the kids it sounds like you have in and out of your house, I'm sure they have an absolute blast together and probably appreciate that you let them do their own thing...lol. :)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha then I do play date wrong too lol.... I will usually get some sort of special snack, special to my daughter is something like character fruit snacks, and that's about it. The rest is up to my daughter lol....
ReplyDeleteI haven't even hosted a single playdate! I'm just too afraid that I might mess up, plus I'm not sure how to deal with other people's kids. I think you're doing just fine.
ReplyDeleteSeriously I an your soul sister. I like play dates because it means I am free.I'd it means sitting wirh another 3 children I would run away.A LOL read
ReplyDeleteOMG, I love this post. Although, we never ever had playdates, I am sure I will be just like you! Ha! Hey, in my book you are doing great. Thanks, for the insight!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry too much, honey! As long as Natalie is enjoying her playdates with friends at home too, that's all that matters! Plus, I think children get different experiences from different friends' houses in good ways!
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious! I don't think a play date needs to be a big to-do. Playing with a friend should be enough.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry as long as you're not doing anything wrong it's fine :) I wanna come to your home it's fun!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this post! I tried really hard to give the kids things to do and good food to eat when they had friends come over. At first. But then other things got in the way and the girls didn't really seem to care, or even to want my input. So I stopped. I guess that's OK ;)
ReplyDeleteI bet those friends love to come over to your house, because it's not structured. It's not being supervised with eyeballs down their throats. (you know that's the only reason the moms are crafting or reading with those kids!) It's just plain and simple fun.
ReplyDeleteParenting is very vast amd every one have their own way of doing it with one common thought - love for our children. I don't think you're doing anything wrong, i am much like you and i wouldn't be bothered if anyone objectified my way.
ReplyDeletePlaydates should always be fun and enjoyable no matter what. I'm not a mom but I remember when I used to do the same and I have an 11 years old sister. Sometimes parents are there and they play with us. Sometimes we were by ourselves. Some of them are cooking for the kids, some are bringing snacks. There is no wrong way!
ReplyDeleteI honestly laughed at loud at some of the things you said below the GIF. I mean it is so fun what thier moms do but I think part of the fun of being a little girl is getting to be with your friends without your mom talking and finding fun things to do so I say you keep doing you! Loved this post though - even though I don't have children yet
ReplyDeleteOh gosh this is so funny, I don't have kids so I wouldn't have a clue what happens on play dates. As a child I used to spend a lot of time playing with friends, but we were lucky we lived in a close with a little park and would just go there.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how play dates go at my house and dinner is usually a quick pepperoni pizza which left me embarrassed when this particular child was a vegetarian I literally could have died my son was horrified!
ReplyDeleteHey, if I came over for a play date and you fed me that with TV and Wifi I'd be a happy camper too. Lol xo, Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThe kids that come to your house for a play date probably love it! It's nice to not have pressure and be able to just do what they want without the company of an adult and an activity sometimes!
ReplyDeleteI am totally more like you! Play dates are " play in the room or go play outside" lol Cookies and gushers are the best snacks too!
ReplyDeleteI was never a fan of play-dates. Thankfully my girls are older now and when friends come over all they want to do is watch TV, talk or play Minecraft.
ReplyDeleteEach house is different. Those kids at your place are going home and saying how awesome your house is to visit. :)
ReplyDeleteI am around kids alot so I completely understand where you're coming from. I tend to just let them run wild during play time so I can rest lol
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy this post. Natalie moms sounds cool and all but too much pressure. I am with you kids not wearing my clothes either, they probably didnt wipe properly lol!
ReplyDeleteI agree that everyone is different. They enjoy all the things they do to each home so I guess that is all okay. I will do what you do if they are kids at our house. haha
ReplyDelete