when do playdates make sense?

janjag · January 2010

my girls are almost 8mos, and are now FINALLY napping pretty well BTC at 9am & 1pm. yay! though often one still needs a short 3rd nap at 4pm.

what is a good age to start having play dates? what is the best time of day to go somewhere, like a friend's house? i'm guessing right after morning nap? yes, i know this sounds like a "duh" question... see below.

my ped has been very strict (maybe too much so) about not taking the girls out much and definitely not to have them around other children - through this winter. they were born at 33 1/2 wks, and missed the cut off for the RSV shots. anyway, we should be happy the girls have only had one tiny cold - but i'd love to get out with them more.

thanks for any advice!

Temp159135562506975 · January 2010

at that age play dates are really more for the mom than for the kids- esp since yours are twins and have play dates together every day. I wouldn't stress about having play dates- unless YOU are dying to hang out with another mom while the kids play.

As babies- they only parallel play and don't really interact that much ---as you know from what the do together. I wouldn't say there is a huge benefit to being around different children at that age... soon, when they are a little more interactive it will be great for social skills- but don't worry about it if you are still worried about them getting sick.

my boys are in daycare 2 days a week and have been sick since November with colds and one bout of bronchitis this past month... it sucks- but is part of what happens with daycare... and play dates

ErinCB · January 2010

Well, I started taking my DS to mom's group stuff much earlier, but he wasn't a preemie, so that part would be up to you, regarding the age. But in the beginning when he was really young, playdates were more for ME to get us both out of the house, LOL! Then as he got older and started playing more, it got to be more fun.

I mean, kids don't really "play" together until about 2 years old. Before that it's more side by side play. But just the change of scenery is nice for everyone.

As for time of day, around here, no matter who I'm meeting up with, 10:00am seems to be universal "mommy time". That's when almost any kind of play date, mom's group, walk, whatever seems to start! I think it's a nice slot between "morning nap" and "lunch" that works well for everyone.

janjag · January 2010

Goldie_Locks_5:

at that age play dates are really more for the mom than for the kids- esp since yours are twins and have play dates together every day. I wouldn't stress about having play dates- unless YOU are dying to hang out with another mom while the kids play.

As babies- they only parallel play and don't really interact that much ---as you know from what the do together. I wouldn't say there is a huge benefit to being around different children at that age... soon, when they are a little more interactive it will be great for social skills- but don't worry about it if you are still worried about them getting sick.

my boys are in daycare 2 days a week and have been sick since November with colds and one bout of bronchitis this past month... it sucks- but is part of what happens with daycare... and play dates

gail, you always give good advice. and you crack me up sometimes! yes, this is all about me

also, just to get them out of the house. and practice taking them out for me. i work 3 afternoons a week (like right now) and the girls are home with a nanny when i'm not there. this is great b/c i don't have to take them anywhere, but it's a little "cabin feverish" as well.

stillhoping · January 2010

Your ped has a right to be freaking out about it and I would not take them out till you pass the flu and cold season. It is not worth the risk. I know you are tired of being stuck in the house but you really do not want to risk RSV and you are not out of the woods yet. I would not do anything till March or April at the earliest.

macchiatto · January 2010

The boys were 3m when we had our first playdate.

Early on they're more for the moms than the babies, but the boys still enjoyed having new people to look at.

LoveTravel · January 2010

I agree with Goldie play dates at the age are more for the moms then babies

I've been to a few "play dates" already, 6 of my friends including me had babies from June- October so we've gotten together a few times.

MrsBee10 · January 2010

Mine are too young for playdates, but we do go out. When we get cabin fever, I take them and meet a friend at the mall to walk around. The boys like the fresh air, and I get some adult time )

janjag · January 2010

Belle4KP:
Your ped has a right to be freaking out about it and I would not take them out till you pass the flu and cold season. It is not worth the risk. I know you are tired of being stuck in the house but you really do not want to risk RSV and you are not out of the woods yet. I would not do anything till March or April at the earliest.

don't misunderstand... i've been very cautious with who they're around, and who i let touch/pick-up. and i'm a real PITA about making people wash/sanitize before they interact with them. you're right, i definitely don't want to risk their health!

it's not so much that i want my girls to "play" with other kids... as gail said everyday is a play date with just the two of them. but just to get out and socialize a little would be so nice once in a while.

macchiatto · January 2010

The germ thing is actually less of an issue at their age, too, since they're not yet really swapping germs with little playmates. (And you can just be careful they don't share toys if that's a concern.) So as long as the mom is OK (and maybe ask her not to hold your LOs) you should be OK.

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