When someone says ‘playdate’ when they really mean childcare.

[HotMessMama]

I am a single parent to an almost 3yr old DS. A family member has 2 DD aged 9 and 11. In the past this family member has asked to arrange a playdate which usually ends up with her dumping her children on me for hours. For example she will ask if we want to meet at the park/soft play etc then when I arrive with my DS she will suddenly remember that she has a doctors/dentist appointment or the car has to go in for an MOT but “you’re ok with all the kids aren’t you?”.
Once when my son was only 4 months old and v.colicky she visited with her daughters leaving them with me until almost 9pm (during that time I was unable to reach her on the phone so had to cook them dinner while also dealing with my own unsettled child)
This has happened several times; usually it involves me supervising all 3 children at whatever activity has been arranged, being unable to get hold of family member once activity is over, leaving me no choice but to take her daughters home with me for several hours!
I quickly cottoned on so started swerving her suggestions but now she’s asked to arrange a ‘playdate’ over the summer and I can’t say we have plans every day until September!

After all that cheeky fuckery I'd just be honest & tell her no! Simple as! Tell her why, too!!

I would OP. Just take each text as a new request and simply say, “no I can’t, got plans” say it EVERY TIME
She’ll soon cotton on and she can’t possibly have a come back to that.

It’s up to your ex to facilitate a relationship between your DS and his auntie so don’t give a second thought to saying no to her requests to meet up.

If she asks again just say “Depends... does “playdate” mean you dumping your kids on me and disappearing for hours on end?”