How long should you stay at a play date?

[EatingWormsMichael]

Irrelevant note; I hate the term 'play date' but suppose that is what it is called...

When a mum invites you and your 7yo round to their house to play and have a catch up, how long should you stay??

I have form for enjoying myself too much and possibly out-staying my welcome!

Let's say it was a 13.30 play date, you'd already had lunch at home. Is a couple of hours about right? Even if everyone is having a great time, would you make a point of leaving?!

I’ve always had a sort of 2 hour rule in my head, based on parties, but not a rigid rule. So I wouldn’t want to risk overstaying my welcome and make noises about heading to shops/make dinner or something after a couple of hours but if they were genuinely wanting us to stay a bit longer then that’s fine too.

I would just ask them? When the playdate is being arranged 'Oh and what time do you want rid of us? Just so I can tell DH/DPwhat time to meet me/friend what time I'll be free/cleaner what time to come round.'

Or just read the room. Are they making noises about DP/DH coming home soon and they need to put dinner on? Are they side-eyeing you, do they seem happy in your company?
'Right we'd best get off hadn't we DC'
'Oh are you going? You not want another cuppa?' Usually means they're enjouing your company*.

'Well It's been lovely having you!' Usually means yes, bugger off now.

*Does not work with people who want you to say no but invite a yes.

Thanks! I'm not sure I'm a good room reader, I'll worry afterwards that they thought they'd never get rid of me.

I think I will have a few friends over and see how long they stay...and how I feel about the length of their visits!!

About 2 hours, the same as most children's parties!

Agree 2 hours is a good amount of time x

Def 2 hours approx!
mum the same meeting friends for coffee!

1.5 - 2 hours, anything longer than 2 hours is too much.

2 hours is good unless they offer another cuppa around the 1hr 45 mark or ask if you'd like to stay for tea

2-3 hours.

Leave by 4.30 if they haven't made noises about it because they'll want to start making dinner and I always leave saying I need to get home to make dinner if the host is making noises about staying.

I have no more than 2 hours in my head too for some reason.

I’ve always said let me know when you need us gone. I’ve usually given my sons warning that we’re going in 15 minutes, as I always got the can’t we stay longer moan. 2 hours is enough, for us Mums and for the kids to play, they do get tired and this is about the right amount of time, before they start to become overtired. I had a friend and her young daughter round one afternoon, neither were in a hurry to go, even with hints that I would have to start dinner, it’s been lovely seeing you, must do this again, nope still no signs if leaving. Then when she did, her daughter who must have been around 18 months old, had put all the toys by the door to take home. Happy days.