Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How often does your 7 year old have people round for dinner after school?

40 replies

handlansa · 04/10/2025 16:59

Out of interest.

i want to make sure my son is getting enough social time and I have no framework because my mum never bothered to facilitate my social life!

OP posts:
Underthemoon1 · 04/10/2025 17:06

We're pretty bad at this but don't think much worse than most kids in DCs class - most are busy with clubs and/or childminders. We probably get round to it every couple of months and are generally the ones doing the inviting - and I don't think that's down to DC's social skills!

Wowzel · 04/10/2025 17:09

Never...

I am too busy with work and she isn't collected from school until 5 at the absolute earliest

whatwasthatnoise · 04/10/2025 17:11

At that age, probably once per term. Kids would be invited round to their friend's house soon after, or we would return the play date shortly after DC was at a friend's house.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

7 year olds Families
Gagamama2 · 04/10/2025 17:14

Once every 1-2 weeks. We have families we are close to who live around us and my kids have their kids over or vice versa. If we are talking school friends only then rarely, probably once a term

Whyjustwhy83 · 04/10/2025 17:15

Never and never had an invite.

Gymmum82 · 04/10/2025 17:15

Never as we both work full time

Isyesterdaytomorrowtoday · 04/10/2025 17:19

A little older here but pretty much never, we’re both working so they are picked up from
after school club at 5:30 ish. There’s not enough time on school nights for play dates.

We probably have a friend over at weekends once a month on average, increasing a bit in school holidays.

mynameiscalypso · 04/10/2025 17:20

Never. When it happens in DS’ class, it generally seems to be for childcare reasons. But most parents at our school work so midweek play dates aren’t really a thing.

Natsku · 04/10/2025 17:20

DS has a lot of activities after school so can't do as often as he'll like but maybe every couple of weeks he'll have someone round or he'll go to theirs but then some weeks its several times in a week. Not always for tea, sometimes they'll just play here for an hour and then he'll go to their house - think perhaps my dinners aren't preferred because I serve vegetables and no chipsGrin

Skybluepinky · 04/10/2025 17:29

Only in the holidays as most are in childcare or at clubs.

NCJD · 04/10/2025 17:34

Regularly, we have 1 of DC1s friends around once or twice per half term. He goes to theirs about once ot twice per half term as well. There are a few other children that have been here once or twice since school started and likewise him going to their houses.

APatternGrammar · 04/10/2025 17:35

A couple of times a term, more if he is invited first. (Both parents working full-time.)

Foxyloxy89 · 04/10/2025 19:30

I have 3 kids and they have a play date or two every week. Sometimes at ours, sometimes at their friends or sometimes a meet up in a park or playcentre etc. I put lots of effort in as there aren't many kids on our estate and cousins live an hour away.

edited to add I work part time to it's a little easier to manage.

thisishowloween · 04/10/2025 19:34

I never had friends round after school as I was in after-school club until 6, as well as during the holidays.

I would have a friend over most weekends though.

KingscoteStaff · 04/10/2025 19:42

Regularly, but for childcare reasons. So on Tuesday, DD’s friend comes home with us for tea and then they go to Brownies together. On Thursday, friend’s mum picks up both for tea and then choir.

it’s working worryingly well, which probably means they’re about to fall out / one will quit one activity and one the other…. Fingers crossed!

TimSamandLulu · 04/10/2025 19:44

Never.

Endofyear · 04/10/2025 21:30

Mine had a friend over about once a week - with 5 kids of my own I often had 7 or 8 kids for tea! But I was lucky that I was able to be a SAHM while they were small. Having friends over to play and have tea was a big part of life when they were young and even when they were older there were always kids in and out of our house in the holidays and weekends. I came from a household that was always very welcoming so I guess it was normal for me.

MumChp · 04/10/2025 21:31

7 yo for dinner? Never.

GoGoFloFlo · 04/10/2025 21:35

We have never invited a fried round after school because my DC (also 7) gets very tired, and on the nights she doesn’t do a club we need to either do homework or just chill.

However, I do invite friends round in the holidays, occasionally at weekends and I also make an effort with stuff like Halloween / bonfire parties etc. I also hold a whole class birthday party each year.

Sadly it’s rarely reciprocated!

SunnyViper · 04/10/2025 21:37

Never at that age.

GoGoFloFlo · 04/10/2025 21:37

Also forgot to say I work (flexibly from home) so I’m often still juggling work stuff between school pick up and bedtime which makes play dates tricky

CarpetKnees · 04/10/2025 23:11

At that age never, as 3 days a week they would be in out of school care, then the things we went to (swimming, Beavers, etc) were on the days I wasn't at work.

CandyRibbon · 04/10/2025 23:12

Never and never been invited

Thingyfanding1 · 04/10/2025 23:18

I work part time so I’m free after school. I probably do a play date once a month with me hosting. occasionally we’re offered one back but most of the time I prefer them coming to mine.

Pryceosh1987 · 05/10/2025 02:24

I love this, but i would say you may not have to do that, as long as he is not shy and socialises alot at school everything works out in the end. I was shy at school but i hung out with 7 friends. A social student will make many friends.