5 Simple House Rules for Scheduled Playdates

My twin brother and I grew up watching a lot of television.  Except, in the summer, when we would disappear, soon after breakfast and stay gone, until lunch, or when one of us noticed that…UH-OH!…when the heck did those street lights come on?

Today my parents, my in-laws and even my brother think that I do way too much WITH my kids. However, I am raising my children pretty much the same way except I’m the one driving them home.

The fact of the matter is we live on a very busy street.  The kids in our neighborhood seem to be just as busy with sports and after school activities.

So at our house we schedule our play dates and stay-overs (because, they’re just too grown for play dates and no one EVER sleeps) especially, for older kids.

My youngest is 9 and on average I’d say she has a friend over or goes to a friend’s house once every other week, on Fridays (or “no homework” nights) after school.

How’s it working out?

Just fine, thank you. If I remember to a few simple house rules, before scheduling to host a play date:

1.  Doors stay open – unless it’s nice outside and then the play date moves outdoors.

2.  Food in kitchen – or, dining room, unless it’s nice outside and then we’re probably having a picnic.

3.  Keep play date to about 2 hours – unless, it’s nice outside and the play date is going very well, or I decide to invite the parent(s) over and the play date turns into an all day date or possibly even a stay-over, for the kids.

4.  Door swings both ways – especially, if the play date was successful (see 1 – 3 above) I’ll let the parent know that I would be more than willing to swap play dates, as well.

5.  Keep an open mind – especially, if the play date was NOT so successful (stupid rules) maybe they’ll have better luck, next time, at their house.

Scheduling play dates can be tricky (trust me, I’ve got scars to prove it) but  in my experience, keeping an open mind and incorporating lots of free play can  make all the difference, on whether you get a return invitation or not.

How about next Friday; your house or mine?

prepare for the playdate by ensuring that the kids have plenty of snacks and activities. And more importantly, I am able to prepare for the playdate mentally.  Thank goodness for playdates!!!