What It's Like to Host a Playdate
The 14 Stages of Hosting a Playdate
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You know your child should play with kids her own age in order to build interpersonal skills and have some peer contact. But any parent that has hosted a playdate with a child for the first time knows how awkward the entire situation can be. It's almost like dating! From the awkward invitation to come over to play to counting the minutes until it ends, here's what it's like to actually have a playdate in your home.
You finally work up the nerve to ask that new mom for a playdate.
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You scramble to clean up your home so your guests don't see how you really live.
Image Source: Nickelodeon
You wait, and wait, and wait for the playdate to start.
Image Source: PBS Kids
Once they arrive, you make some nervous small talk while waiting for the kids to start playing with each other.
Image Source: NBC
Even though your tot's been begging to play with this kid, they are playing on opposite sides of the room.
Image Source: ABC
The kids finally acknowledge each other, and you have to reprimand them for fighting over a toy.
Image Source: New Line Cinema
You find yourself chasing your guest's child around your house with a Magic Eraser to mitigate the destruction.
Image Source: Disney
All the while you're wondering why you even set up this playdate?
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"Just how much longer are they going to stay?"
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You decide to fake an important phone call just to hint it is time for them to leave.
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You nicely, but forcefully usher your guests out the door.
Image Source: NBC
The jig you dance after you've successfully closed the door behind them.
Image Source: ABC
Once they leave, you survey the damage and can't believe the mess.
Image Source: NBC
You've cleaned up the mess, your tot is napping, and now it is time for mom's playdate.
Image Source: CNN
