To say DS has to include his brother in a play date?

[WhenYouveAFirstInEnglish]

If they are in the play room?

8 and 4 (just turned) DSs. We have a playroom full of toys. When eldest DS has a play date they are welcome to take what they want up to his room, play on Switch for a bit in his room etc but if they want to play in the playroom they have to include little DS. I think that’s fair enough?

Yes, That sounds fair.

Yes completely fair.

It's quite an age gap, I'd say not really fair.

Unfair.

Unfair, why should he have to entertain his little brother when he's trying to play with his friend?

Its too big an age gap and not fair on your oldest child. Just do something with the younger one and let ds have some time with his friend op

Unfair. Me and my sibling have a similar age gap and my younger sibling was kept away while I played with my friend on a play date.

Bit of a big development gap between 8 and 4. I know it's a drag but your 8 year old could probably do with a break from his little brother. Depends on whether the pal is up for it. Pal might need a break from little ones too. Even in a playroom
Obviously you know the personalities best but it's something to consider.

Unfair and unrealistic

Same age gap here and I would never have expected the play to include both, no. The child without a friend there would be doing something with me or involved with some other activity.

Your younger DS should be allowed to be in the playroom with them playing with his toys if he wants to but I don't think he has to be included in their play.

8yo children play very differently to 4yo children and the point of a play date is allow your elder DS to play with his peer not his younger brother.

I had a 5 year age gap with my DDs and when DD1 had someone over I endeavoured to amuse DD2 while they played to give them some peace.

Unfair, he shouldn't have to entertain his brother if he has a friend. If they want to include him, great, but that's a big age gap and he's entitled to his own friends and time with them.

Unfair. You should entertain dc2 or invite a playmate for dc2. Dc1 can't play "freely " with his brother there. He shouldn't have to dumb down any games etc because his brother is involved

No I would let the older one play with his friend and you will need to entertain the youngest. It will only cause problems if you allow the little one to get involved.

Hmm, not sure really, the friend has come to play with your DS not his 4 year old brother and may not fancy coming again! Play is very different between a 4 year old and an 8 year old, I can't imagine that being very fair on your older DS and his friend tbh. Your younger son maybe needs to learn to amuse himself during those few hours, it wouldn't hurt. When he is a little older and has friends round the same will apply for him. I think they should be free to play with just their friend and not have to include a sibling. Chances are they may end up choosing to play something together anyway but I wouldn't say it has to be a rule.

3 year age gap between me and the next sibling. He never had to play with me when he had friends over.

That's unfair. It's quite an age gap and he deserves to be able to spend some time with his friend without having to entertain his younger brother too.

You also run a real risk of his friends not wanting to visit him because of this,

YABU

Not fair. Two different age groups. Can't you play with the youngest whilst the eldest plays with his friend?

YABU.

Not fair, use that time to do something fun just with the younger one, same goes when younger has a play date of course.

Unfair. Also, kids might not want to come over to play with 8 yo if they know they also have to play with a just turned 4 yo.

No, not fair. To big an age gap.

Yabu.

Both should still be able to use the play room but you elder DS should be able to enjoy playing with his friend without having to entertain his younger brother