To ask help proposing playdates

[Discopanda]

OK, not an AIBU but in the morning it'll be the last preschool session before half term and I'm slightly desperate. I have a 3 YO DD and a 5 week old DD, most of my friends live quite a way away, I don't drive or work. DDs' fraternal cousins are going away for half term (she loves them to bits) so I'm trying to think of ways I can keep DD1 amused whilst looking after a very little baby. In her preschool review it mentions that she's quite close to one of the boys, I sometimes chat to his mum and she seems very friendly, quite a bit older than me so the only thing we have in common is being mums, I was thinking of proposing a play date over half term when I see her tomorrow but I'm quite socially awkward so don't know how to bring it up, also would it be mega weird to ask? I have no idea why I'm making such a mountain out of a molehill, I'm just not a very forward person.

Hi, I was wondering if x would like to come round and play during half term?...it really is fine to be that straightforward

As above only I'd say would you and x like to come over. That way you can make friends too.

Or propose meeting up at the park if that would be easier for you, with your house as a back up if it rains. Make sure you have each other's contact details.

And don't worry about driving, usually the person invited drops off and picks up. That's only something for discussion if she gets invited back.

I had a similar situation when DD2 was at nursery, except I had only exchanged a brief hello with the mum. I wrote a short notes on a postcard with my mobile number on it, asking if DDs friend would like to come for a play one day, and asked staff to give it to the mum at pick up - that meant the ball was in her court, and there was no pressure. The little girl came round a couple of times and it was fine - subsequently moved house and nursery so they're no longer friends but don't think the play dates had anything to do with that!

Id invite the parent as well at that age. I wouldn't drop DS off somewhere at age 3 by himself as he needs help with the toilet and sometimes has accidents. But I'd go along if I was invited too.

Yes invite the parent at that age, I'd read 5 weeks as 5 years!

I did this for a little boy that ds played with at preschool. His mum is now one of my closest friends. Go for it!

It's fine to be straight forward and say ' can we swap numbers so I can ring you and arrange a coffee, it'll be nice for the kids to play and I'll be going stir crazy etc etc' smile, smile whip out your phone.

DON'T say ' oh we must get together , that would be nice, lovely, bye ....' You need to actually arrange something.

I did this all the time when we moved to a completely new area and no one has ever turned me down some went on to become really good friends and some were just people I was chatty with but it was all good.

Good luck, hope it goes well

I was late for pick up and missed most of the other parents! I'm going to try to get out there a bit more after half term.