10 Reasons I Dislike Hosting Playdates

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Hosting a playdate may seem like an enjoyable activity, but the reality can be quite different. Here are ten reasons that might make you reconsider that invitation.

1. Heavy Responsibility: Inviting another child into your home comes with the daunting task of ensuring their safety and well-being. If something goes wrong, explaining to their parents can be quite nerve-wracking, especially since losing your own child is one thing—but losing someone else’s? That’s a whole different level of stress.
2. Pressure to Provide Food: You want to avoid being the parent who serves bland meals like plain pasta or fish fingers. So, you may find yourself experimenting with fancy recipes that incorporate vegetables, only to end up handing out snacks like chips when the little ones refuse to eat your culinary creations.
3. Awareness of Your Child’s Social Skills: After weeks of your child begging for a playdate, they may suddenly retreat to their room as soon as their friend arrives. This can be both confusing and frustrating, leaving you to play the role of entertainer. It’s like hosting a solitary tea party with stuffed animals.
4. Inevitable Tears: At least one child will likely cry during the playdate, typically due to disputes over toys. The name “playdate” suggests fun, but for kids under five, it can turn into a battleground of emotions.
5. No Television Allowed: It seems that the unwritten rule of playdates is that screens are off-limits. Whether this is a myth or not, it’s best not to test those waters. You wouldn’t want to be the one who breaks the unspoken agreement.
6. Crafts Are Mandatory: When your child decides to sulk or when the activities run dry, you may find yourself rummaging through craft supplies. Forcing yourself to engage in arts and crafts with someone else’s child can feel like a form of torture, especially when crafting is not your forte.
7. The Annoyance Factor: Children can be grating, and the thought of inviting another kid into your space can be daunting. While you might get a polite guest, there’s always the chance of encountering a child who clings to you, relentlessly asking questions while you try to maintain your sanity.
8. Loss of Authority: When you’re surrounded by your child and their friend, it’s hard to maintain your usual level of discipline. Yelling at your own child becomes complicated when the playdate guest is present, leading to a feeling of diminished control over the situation.
9. Awkward Goodbyes: At the end of the playdate, the parents will inevitably ask how things went. Despite your child’s chaos and their guest’s confusion, you both might pretend everything was perfect, exchanging pleasantries as you mentally tally the emotional toll of the event.
10. Cycle of Playdates: Once you start hosting playdates, it seems like they never end. You might find yourself stuck in a cycle of continuous invitations, trying to navigate through the ups and downs of each encounter.

In conclusion, while hosting playdates can be seen as a way to foster social skills, they often bring more stress than joy. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the concept, consider alternatives like engaging in solo activities or looking for resources on effective parenting, such as this article on fertility.