Playdates

KatieB19

So I'm starting to make friends and ds is getting invited to playdates and all that means that I have to reciprocate. Here's my problem. We try to take a Montessori approach: play with what you want, treat it with respect, when you're done put it away. (No, I don't make him clean up everything the second he is done; creativity can come out of messes or revisiting what was left, but that's the basic principle). I do have friends who follow this same mentality. When they come over, the kids all play together, usually at some point we have a quick clean up to clear the floor so more playing can be had and the kids join in to help, parents (and kids) seem more in-tune to how we do things, and it feels easy and stress free.

But other friends have a more... relaxed attitude when it comes to toys. We've had playdates with kids who just tear into everything. They are rough with DS's toys because they are rough with their own, and because of that the parents don't necessarily see it as a bad thing. Siblings especially tend to argue over who is going to play with what toy (and not verbally) -- they need to learn to work it out on their own, is what I hear. We take care to buy DS quality toys -- we are a quality over quantity household -- and I'm not trying to have books torn and pages bent, or alphabet letters go missing. Also, we're past the drooling stage, so we no longer have toys where it's ok that they go in someone's mouth.

Does this happen to you? What do you do? Do you remove toys that you don't want other kids to mess up? Do you have a stash of mouth-ok toys for if younger siblings are in tow? How do you steer kids (parents) towards what is acceptable in your house? It's funny, I don't realize how many unspoken rules we have until other kids come over. Like, please don't cuddle the white stuffed animal while you are coloring with markers...

KatieB19

Yeah. I'm probably way over-thinking. Guess I'm not helping DS not get my slightly neurotic gene, lol.

Fianschneid

I would put any toys you worry about being damaged away before these kids come over or plan to meet somewhere outside of your home, like a park.

kristennd

We always do our playdates at a park or playground. (Or the zoo if the other parent also has a pass.) A goal of both parents is a nice long nap afterwards and running around outside helps. And then no one has to clean house first...