My kids do not do play dates. I’m not really sure why they don’t do play dates. It’s not that I am against play dates because I am not. I think the reason we don’t participate in play dates is because I don’t want to deal with boundary type issues.
What I mean by that is – I’m a wimp when it comes to people over stepping my boundaries. I don’t have very many close friends here in town because I don’t really want to invest my heart and soul into somebody that is going to wind up burning me.
It seems like every time I try to meet a new Mom or create some sort of “play date” situation it all winds up exploding in my face. People exchange number, nobody returns phone calls, people show up at your front door uninvited, and feelings get hurt.
The play dates that I set up with my kids are the days that we go to the park and play. There are lots of kids at the park and they have tons of fun exercising on the equipment and playing with the other children. Why isn’t that type of play date good enough?
When it’s too cold to go outside and play we play here in the house. Kinsley and Fiona have lots and lots of fun playing. They also have a great time when they get together with their cousins here in town. That’s a type of play date, right?
I do think it’s important for my kids to have some time with other children their age but I don’t think it has to be a time necessarily that is carved out for “play dating.” I think Sunday school classes are good, preschool classes, work out gym’s that offer play areas for kids, the park, the mall, and those type of situations.
What do you think? We know what the pros are for getting your kids together. But for every pro to the situation there has to be a con or some sort of set back, right?
Blog Carnival through Casual Keystrokes
Casual Keystroke’s Playdate Post
Well it seems like your kids are getting socialization with other kids even if it is not through one on one play dates.
I do enjoy having those types of play dates, but it is as much for me as it is for my child.
If you are looking for some cons, I can name a few.
First of all, depending on what age your kids are, they are not going to want to share. They are going to fight and whine. If one kid wants to play with the red car, the other one wants to play with the red car, even though he was previously playing with the blue ball.
Then he’ll throw a fit when he can’t have his way. This causes unnecessary stress for mom. You have to worry about what to say to the other mom….when do you step in? When do you just let it go? Decisions, decisions. LOL!
Keep up the play dates that you are comfortable with. You’re doing great! :)
Hiya BabyTalkers ~
Neat site you got there by the way. I was reading your post today and wanted to tell ya that I don’t do diaper bags any more. I’m a back pack kind of girl. What’s nice about back packs is that you can have them on, carry your kid, and have a hand free if you need it. :-)