Playdate etiquette

[Oysterbabe]

My oldest child is just starting reception so I am very new to all this. She's still in the settling in period and isn't in school today. We've been invited round to a school friend's house at 10:30 this morning for her first ever play date. I'll also be taking my 2 year old and have checked that this is OK.

I'm a bit socially inept. How long do these things typically last? I was thinking I'd tell DD we need to leave and go home for lunch at about 12? I wouldn't expect them to feed us all but do you think she'll offer? I can always use 2 year old needing to go down for a nap as an escape (he doesn't nap every day anymore so wouldn't necessarily need one) DD will probably need to be dragged away and will want to stay all day. I guess I need to return the invite too?

It's a minefield. Any tips from playdate veterans?

A 10:30 date means they want you out of the way by lunchtime so leaving at 12 is perfect.

If you and the other mum are getting on really well then she might offer lunch but I’d definitely leave, saying you and DC had great time and would love to do it again (if indeed you do).

Take a packet of “child friendly” biscuits/snacks if you can.

I would agree that 10.30 start would mean leave before lunch. If you stick by the motto "always leave while you are ahead" you will usually be ok.

The only thing I'd add to this is to make sure your children understand that you will be leaving and going home before lunch. A child that refuses to leave at the end of a play date and plays up can be very embarrassing (I've been at both ends of this) I drummed into mine that if they wanted to go again they had to leave nicely when asked to and say thank you