Play date not going according to plan.

[GoMe]

I was suppost to meet with this friend and her children today. She cancels in the morning saying she is not well and I offer to have her oldest who is friends with my Dd. Girl come and they play nicely but then girl start asking to watch DVD. I say I am getting ready for us to go out, I had a nice day out planned for us. Girl says she doesn't want to go out as she gets really hot and begs to watch DVD. Now I have had this girl before on many occasions and she hates walking and usually complains when there is much walking involved and I don't drive. My outing consisted in getting public transport and walking to a very nice park.
Anyway I decided to change plans and let her watch the DVD but my daughter is bored as she actually wanted to PLAY with her friend indoors/outdoors, it doesn't matter and the 4 year old I looked after is also bored and doesn't want to play with me but the girls (7).
When the DVD finishes we will go to a picnic and playground very near and boring for us as we go all the time. Can't go further as girl will need to go home.
Was I too soft? Should I have carried on with my plans regardelles the girs wishes?

[GoMe]

Forgot to mention that screen time is an ultimate treat at girls house.....
That is what happen when you forbid something.

[mousmous]

I would have done as originally planned.
wrt walking is she just not used to walkning or is she hurting (growing pains, shoes too small)?

[FreudiansSlipper]

no i do not think you were too soft and dothey ever go to plan

get some paper and pens out this is what I have done for ds and his friend until it cools down. ds usually fine with walking but does not want to in this heat

I think the more options you have the more stressful it gets, decide for them so you go out a little later but take into account everything seems an effort in this heat and is there a need to have an outing sometimes they are fine just pottering about and let them get on with it, being bored is not a bad thing (just a strain on our ears)

[ProfYaffle]

I used to have similar with a child from a house with very limited screen time, she would really pressure us into watching exactly what she wanted on TV whenever she was here. Her Mum insisted that if we just told her she couldn't watch TV she'd accept it, but that just wasn't true!

In my case the friendship just drifted of it's own accord so the problem solved itself.

[FrankSaysNo]

I don't think anyone would want to walk in this heat. Are you in a position to fill a pool or bowls with water in the garden or put a sprinkler on?

[GoMe]

No I don't have a garden. I think the girl is just not used to walking or public transport. Can't comment on her shoes but parents have money/professional jobs.
I am very active even when is hot so are my kids. When is hot we can't stand stay indoors.
And I had loads of toys, activities to play in the house. But girl wanted DVD only.

[rollonthesummer]

I'd have taken her home and said we were going out but she hadn't wanted to come. I feel a bit sorry for your DD :(

[Laymizzrarb]

As long as you are not walking in the midday sun and she is hydrated then she should do as the rest of you planned. For her own good someone has to say NO. You can't let a child dictate what a group of people do. She has to learn to compromise. Maybe a DVD when you return from the park?