Play dates - why don’t people reciprocate?

[Cocteautriplet]

Is it just us? Do I know lots of CF’s or is this just a thing now? I have two teens and a 4 year old and I can count in one hand the number of invites my kids have received to go to friends houses during the last 10 years yet their friends are round here all the time!

My kids do have mild SN which might feel overwhelming, I guess? but then so do lots of their mates. My kids are sweet kids who behave most of the time (especially if they are around non family adults.) they are a bit fussy about what they eat but nothing that a bit of plain pasta or a burger can’t sort.

Is it because I have 3 kids so maybe people feel they have to have all three (which they definitely don’t)? or is it that our house is kid friendly and a bit scruffy and people don’t want to mess up their show homes?

I love having kids over to play but I do feel a bit sad when my kids ask to go to their friend’s houses but no invitations are forthcoming.

You host ONE play date

and the parents are “selfish twats” and “fuck ‘em” for not reciprocating

There is a chance that they want to limit any kind of interaction with you

or perhaps their child has expressed a clear preference your DS is not invited over

No not ONE play date! You misread my post. When I was referring to a few of his friends i meant different kids coming on different dates.

i didn’t misread

you referred to ONE play date
and then because not reciprocated concluded they were selfish twats

and genuine question
but does it not occur to you that perhaps these children don’t want your DS over to theirs for a play date?

Good point, I thought the same myself!

No I mis-worded it. So sorry. There have been a few separate dates where they have not been reciprocated. But I assume in your mind that makes me and DS horrible in some way when we are both nothing but polite and pleasant.

Leaving this thread now.