Getting hounded for playdates feel guily

[Martinimonster]

I work full time six days a week and Sunday is our family day.
Dd is an only child who is 7. I feel so guilty I don't have the time for many official playdates. Usually we have a family friend the same age come round for a bit to play on a Saturday or we do something together.
Dd has friends at school and goes to after school club where she plays with other children there plus she goes to two other hobby clubs where she is slowly meeting people.
There is a mum at the school who constantly texts me about playdates. Everytime she isn't at work she's attending or hosting playdates for her child. She's offered to have my dd in the school holidays for me too but I don't feel comfortable putting that amount of time on to someone else who isn't getting paid for it.
I feel guilty but I don't have a lot of time and I don't enjoy playdates either but I do them maximum twice a month to keep dd happy.

I much prefer casual meet up at the park when its nice weather so I don't have to host or do pick ups and drop offs.
Anyone else feel guilty about not having a lot of time?
I was hoping there would be more kids playing in the street that dd could go and play with near the house but doesn't seem to be many out.

What does your DD want to do?

I don't feel comfortable putting that amount of time on to someone else who isn't getting paid for it.

Have you ever considered that it might be EASIER for her to have a friend over for her DD? So explain why you're hesitant, but allow her to reassure you if it's what she wants to do.

You will need to work out how to enable your DD to participate in playdates. It will start to affect her friendships if you don't. Children will solidify their friendships on the playdates, and your DD could well be left on the outer during playtime at school.

Explain to persistent friend that you can't reciprocate which is why you don't take her up on it. She may be fine with that. Seems mean to your dd to not even have the conversation.

Fwiw, I don't offer things in the hope of getting something back and would be happy having kids over whose parents can't reciprocate for whatever reason.

What Wellthis said.

I don't do playdates often (probably 3-4 a term at most) but I don't arrange them on condition of them being reciprocated.
Its driven by who dd wants to have over -and whether I think the child is a pain in the arse-

I've also offered to have a child over for the odd day in school hols, if I'm off work and we have no plans and if I know the parents well.

Dd loves it and I think its good for her to share her toys and have to compromise.

park meet ups would be more hassle than chucking a pizza in their general direction at tea time.

Absolutely!

Take her up on the offer.
From time to time take the friend out with yours on a Sunday. Or when you take a day off. Don't over think it

Why don't you meet them at the park?