Play date question...

At what age would you leave your child alone at a play date (drop them off and come pick them up later)? What if you never met the friend's parents before and/or had never been to their house? TIA

Re: Play date question...

probably never
I would have to know something about the family before dd goes behind closed doors. She can meet them in an open environment ...thats fine. I am too much of a Social Worker...ive seen and heard it all.

Re: Play date question...

Posted by PrincessP

probably never
I would have to know something about the family before dd goes behind closed doors. She can meet them in an open environment ...thats fine.

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I started doing it between 4-5 with my son (his PreK 4 class). But with all I somewhat knew the parents from school - talked to and he had been in school with them since the preK 3 program...not all I had been at the house before. I did go with him and stay for like 15 minutes and get a feel for things.

He is in kindergarten now and I would be skeptical..so far we have only done a playdate withone classmate whose mom I have met and like alot. He had never been in the house but I have met the mom and dad. I am not sure what I will do when he is invited to someone I don't know's house...hmmmm...try to turn it and have it at my house instead?

Message edited 11/24/2010 7:15:28 AM.

Re: Play date question...

not for a looong time. DD is 4.5 and I wont be doing this for awhile.

Re: Play date question...

If I have never met the parent and never been to their house - there is absolutely no way that i would ever leave my child with them.

My children are 4.5 and 3 and I don't see myself leaving them at any playdate by themselves anytime soon.

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For me it's 4, Noah is in reception and I sent him on a playdate with a school friend last week. I have been chatting & walking with the mother on the school run since it started in September, also, we have some mutual friends, so I thought she was okay. He had an awesome time! She said I could stay if I wanted, but I wanted Noah to be independant and have fun. Which he did! She aslo made them their dinner.

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My son is four and in preschool. He started going to friend's houses without me this year, but this is the second year with the same kids in his class, and I did go on the play dates with him last year. Nearly the entire class does soccer together and we all meet up at the playground quite often, so I feel like I know them pretty well by now. Next year in kindergarten, I probably won't let him go unless I know the parents and have been to their house.

Re: Play date question...

If I have never met the parents and had never been to their home, then NEVER.

However, we started drop off playdates in kindergarten with families we know well.

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I want to change my answer.. I thought you meant a playdate as in you have never met the parents at all. That would NEVER happen for me. I have dropped Robbie off at playdates with parents who are only casual acquaintances.. people i chat with from time to time, see at school and other functions - but do not regularly socialize with. I probably started that in pre-school.

Message edited 11/24/2010 6:06:23 PM.

Re: Play date question...

We have never met the parents - my son is friends with their son from the bus but he gets picked up after my son and dropped off before so I haven't even met the child yet. I'm thinking I will stay with him this time.

Re: Play date question...

I've been doing this with close friends since 3. Then when she was in preschool it probably took a year before we did it with school friends, so 4. Now at 5 I do it no problem. I wouldn't do it with a friend who's family I hadn't met and felt comfortable with though.
Drop off play dates are great, both ways. I don't want to deal with entertaining the mom.

Re: Play date question...

DS is 4 and has had a few drop off playdates with his BFF. I am very friendly with the mother. They have a full time/live in nanny (the mom works full time) who does not drive. It benefits EVERYONE when I drop my son off for a play date!

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DD#1 started having drop off/pick up playdates in Kindergarten. I did know the parents though. I think in about 3rd grade parents started leaving their kids here without really knowing me, but I do not think Jordan has ever gone to someones house that I did not know at least a little bit. I am a WAHM and very involved at school, I am also the Brownie leader so I tend to have relationships with a lot of the parents. I have to say that I probably know most of the parents in her grade, especially the girl moms.

Re: Play date question...

I'd have to know the parents first. Maybe have 1 play date with them with me and then depending on how that went we could have one without me.

It probably wasn't until 5-6 years old and only with parents i knew.