To think you you check before sending your child over to play?

[SadFace502]

Just that really... My DS goes to school with a child over the road, they are 7.

At weekends his parents regularly send him over to 'play' - he rocks up on our doorstep and asks to come in and play... Obviously DS does the "oh, please let X stay and play' so I generally let him in (inwardly seething).... X then slopes around saying "I'm bored", "can I have a coke", "I only came to you because Y down the road isn't in" etc for an hour or so (whilst also trashing the house) before I message his parents to see if I can send him back!

My DH works shifts and frequently sleeps during the day so having two 7 year olds plus my DS2 who is 4 running around the house isn't ideal. The parent knows that he has to sleep during the day yet still sends him over....

He came over yesterday and asked to come in and play, luckily we were just off to meet friends so I felt justified in saying no... He said that his parents were out and that he would go to the skate park.... I saw him cycling around the street when we went out - he's only 7, and I felt bad!!

Sorry for the rant, I want to say that I'd prefer it if she asks but don't want to come across as rude

Thanks...

As a couple of pp have said, are you 100% certain that his parents are out? He may be enjoying the company, free-flowing coke etc at your house and is just telling a white lie so that he can stay longer. I can see why it bothers you (and it would bother me) but maybe best to double check before taking things further

If your DH is asleep/having family time send him away. You don't have to explain, just say noes not a good time

OP did you find out whether the little boys parents really did leave him home alone. If so, that is just not on. It is neglect. He's 7 fgs.
Did they presume you would look after him?

If it isn't convenient - send him home.
When it is time for him to go (for whatever reason) - send him home.
Say "oh yes ds1 would love to come and play at yours" and send them both over to his home..
You are the adult - you get to make the decisions.

Depending on the circumstances, location and journey I see nothing wrong at all with a 7yo going to call for a friend.
Mine has been doing it for a couple of years - but knows full well that he is NOT allowed to ask if he play at their house, he has to ask if the friend would like to come and play at ours. If he is then invited in to play that is fine.

DD1 (8) goes to call for friends in the street, and I go with DD2 (4) to ask if a friend would like to play sometimes, so I see nothing wrong in it being "unannounced" (in fact a bit weird if everything has to be arranged and diarised!) but it's definitely not on for him to be left on his own while his parents are out, assuming they haven't just popped out for five minutes.