Is it normal not to have any meet ups or playdates or AIBU

How many times have you invited children he likes round, though? You don’t need permission! Just identify a child or a couple of children and invite them.

Is your DS in Y1 (second year of primary school?) because I think that’s the age drop off playdates typically start. So perhaps a bit unusual he hasn’t one yet but it’s not like they’ve been going on for years. In nursery and reception a lot of kids aren’t happy to go on their own and/or the parents aren’t happy to leave them unless they know the family well. My youngest is school nursery and I only suggest playdates with the mums I’m friendly with because they require you to hang out too. Sometimes someone suggests a park meet and usually we go if we’re free. But in Y1 if you invited a friend over then chances are they’d come and then reciprocate- it just might need you to take the first step because I think more people are busy need to use wrap around than they used to. No sleepovers before Y3 here, my 8YO has 2 friends over tonight, but I haven’t heard of anyone doing them younger than 7 unless it’s with close family friends.

Lots of parents work and kids go yo after school club so a lot less play dates. I hated them as I found so many little boys are quite badly behaved and difficult to manage. Plus I think young kids are rather tired after school. Have you considered taking a couple of kids to a soft play area instead? If you are a regular mumsnetter you will know that parents seem very scared of letting their children in other people's houses for fear they will be exposed to sexual assault.

I suspect there is a difference between parents who are at home at the end of each school day, and dc who go to OoS Clubs or Childminders.

DS is finishing year 6 and never been invited to a play date or sleepover.

Have you asked anyone over?

I'd have thought it was unusual but the girls do seem to have more playdates than the boys. Has he never asked for anyone to come over? Does he have friends he's closer to?

My eldest did go to parties but it wasn't until at least year 2 that I managed to break into the mums and have someone to sit with and the occasional pub trip in a large group.

It wasn't until my 2nd started school that I properly found my tribe and a few of them are still my closest friends.

By the time my last one went I couldn't be arsed and some of my existing friends were in the playground with me anyway!

So it can take ages!

Do you have a casual WhatsApp group for school friends?
Its handy.

Ours for my 5 year old has about 10 of his friends parents in. It’s used mainly for ad hoc meet ups for everyone. Ie I might say today ‘ weather nice, I’m planning to take Ds to the park at 5.30pm when it’s not so hot if anyone fancies joining’. No pressure, no fixed meet ups at house, but a kind of open invite. Everyone does similar. So at various times we end up meeting a few for a swim, park, farm or whatever

My child goes to lots of parties but not many play dates as such. Maybe one or two a year? I dont think it’s unusual. He’s 9 now and only had one sleep over.

Have you asked any of his friends to go to yours for a playdate? My DDs in reception and she does go on play dates, but not loads yet. We have play dates at ours too.