Social anxiety and play dates

[LegoVsFoot]

I do it because they love to but it's very hard for me! One is old enough for parent drop off which is still hard and the other is young so parents stay which gives me panic attacks as soon as a date is organised. Does anyone else feel the same

I have no anxiety and am an extrovert generally but man play dates stress me out.

I feel the same! So anxious. We have been invited for some play dates but never had one at our house because I feel too anxious that people will judge my tiny home. I always suggest meeting at a soft play or something, I’m much more comfortable in a neutral location.

Out of the house is much easier I agree! But we've come into the era of sleepovers and wanting to play in each other's houses. Every time I tell myself it will be fine and every time I have panic attacks and anxiety and overthink everything 🤦‍♀️

@LegoVsFoot how old are your DC? I'm dreading the sleepover phase!

@TheGreatPotato They are 4 and 7

What are you afraid of? What triggers you? Small talk? Other children, chaotic play?

@kalokagathos It's a combination of feeling pressured to have my house perfect and feeling like it might be judged, making sure I have snacks and food and hoping the kids will have fun together, and potentially having to socialise for an extended period of time with someone I don't know well with no distractions and nowhere to go. And worrying that if I get something wrong then my children will lose their friends or be gossiped about. Just overthinking and rumination.