DH set up play date with random man in park

[BFPDec21]

He obviously had a kid with him but he's took his number for the playdate. DH has never seen him and our DC does not know the child other than playing in the park today.

I can't work out if I'm being overprotective.

YABU - This is fine
YANBU - This is weird

[MajorCarolDanvers]

YABU

It's what mums do all the time.

[fairylightsandwaxmelts]

Why would it be a problem assuming your DH isn't going to drop and run?

Isn't this how kids make new friends?

[DGRossetti]

Do I get to use the word misandry ?

[RedCandyApple]

It’s sounds weird to me but then I’ve never swapped numbers with a mum in the park and didn’t realise so many did

[Hellolittlestar]

Perfectly normal, I’ve asked for other mums’ numbers at the playground. By playdate do you mean at your or his house? I wouldn’t feel comfortable inviting someone that fresh of an acquaintance, but if they meet in a public place it’s fine.

[manseymoo1987]

I've never swapped numbers with a random person in a park, but I have at baby groups etc. however if my dc hit it off at the park with another local child I probably would share contact details. I don't see how because it's 2 men it's any different.

[WinnersDinner]

YABU

Big time

That's how most parents meet other parent friends

Give your head a wobble

[Rno3gfr]

How the hell are we even supposed to meet other people and make friends if this isn’t acceptable?

[MangoM]

I assume they'll arrange to meet at the playground or a play area again so I don't see the harm. If he was planning to leave your DS by himself with the other parent I'd understand why you'd concerned but it doesn't seem like that's the case?

Dads very rarely get the chance to meet other Dads and it sounds like a great chance for both your DH and DS to make a new friend.

[Gymrats]

I don’t get what your questioning, how do you make new friends with other parents?

Mums have been doing this for centuries

[esloquehay]

For the love of God...

[SlyAvocado]

What? Don’t be weird!

I just moved to a new area with a baby and I wouldn’t know anyone if I’d not talked to other parents in a cafe or the park.

I thought that was how you did it 🤷🏻‍♀️

[RockinHorseShit]

Erm, is this just how both him & DCs make new friends

So long as he's not leaving DC alone with new friend until he knows him & his DC much better. This is perfectly normal social behaviour

[EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall]

Why are people voting yanbu? As long as he's not dropping and running what's the problem?

[Summerfun54321]

Every single friend that we have is just a “random” person before we meet them and make friends with them. I met 2 of my best mum friends in parks.

[EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall]

I often arranged to meet parents of children at the dcs school in the park, I don't know much about them even now. Couldn't tell you what the inside of their houses look like, if they drink 3 bottles of wine at the weekend and take a shit ton of coke

Unless you are the best of friends with these parents uou don't know what thet do behind closed doors

[Nimello]

@MindyStClaire

I think men should do more of this. We all know how important mum friends can be in the early years, I think more dad friends would be great. DH and I have the same frustrations about life with our small children, but I have far more outlets for that frustration between old friends, new friends, FB groups, MN etc. It also helps me realise our children's behaviour is normal, if infuriating. I'd love DH to have a bit of that support, and I think it would be hugely reassuring for him.

Agreed!

[Itsalmostanaccessory]

This is how mums make friends with other mums. What's wrong with dads doing it?

He isnt going to drop your child off with strangers. The adults will be there. They'll get to know one another. I'm sure you'll meet him too.

[LampLighter414]

Good on him

[erinaceus]

If what they plan to do is arrange a time to go to the park together, this is not weird. Even if they were to go to one of their houses, as long as both dads stay, it's safe. It's a bit soon for both kids to be left with one dad, either way around, until they know each other a bit better.

If your DH expects you to do the playdate arranging and/or hosting, that's a bit different.

[Toottooot]

Is it any different to you meeting another mum in the park and arranging to meet up again? Or is it because he’s a man🙄

[Topseyt]

I assume that DH is also planning on being at the playdate along with the other parent, in which case fine.

If he is planning to just drop and run then not fine, but I would assume hope that he isn't that daft.

[EarringsandLipstick]

I agree with all PPs & also think fair play to the two dads that they got their act together to do this - it shouldn't be surprising but usually play dates & the organising of fall into 'women's work' (sigh) so these two sound more mature.

[Christinatherabbit]

If its the same set up like today in the park with both dads present then I don't see the issue?

[Maryann1975]

I wish dh had done this when our dc were little. I think it’s really good for dads to take their dc out on their own and having another adult to chat to at the park can make it a whole lot more interesting for the parent- I found going to the park really dull, if the dc had other dc to play with and I had someone to chat to it would have improved no end!