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.
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You finally work up the nerve to ask that new mom for a playdate.
It's eerily similar to asking someone out on a date.
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You scramble to clean up your home so your guests don't see how you really live.
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You wait, and wait, and wait for the playdate to start.
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Once they arrive, you make some nervous small talk while waiting for the kids to start playing with each other.
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Even though your tot's been begging to play with this kid, they are playing on opposite sides of the room.
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The kids finally acknowledge each other, and you have to reprimand them for fighting over a toy.
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You find yourself chasing your guest's child around your house with a Magic Eraser to mitigate the destruction.
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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.
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The jig you dance after you've successfully closed the door behind them.
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Once they leave, you survey the damage and can't believe the mess.
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