To not want DS to go on a playdate where he'll be looked after by a non English speaker

[redskyatnight]

DS's friend X has 2 parents that work full time. Until recently, he was picked up from school and looked after by his aunt. Aunt and I were friendly and the 2 children regularly went on playdates with each other (both with and without myself/aunt).

His aunt has now moved away and X is now looked after by another family member. however this family member has just moved to this country and speaks no English (native Spanish speaker).

X is keen to have DS round to play (and DS keen to go) but I am uneasy how DS will get along with X's family member as they don't speak a common language. X is bi-lingual and could interpret but I think that is a big ask for a 5 year old!

I can obviously invite myself (which means DD coming too) as well which is probably what we'll end up doing , but wondered if I was BU (and a bit pfb) to not just send him on his own.

(Of course I'm assuming here that X's carer would be happy to have DS round on his own, which she may not be anyway).

My anxiety would be about what the non-English speaking carer would do in the event of an emergency of some kind (allergy, accident, whatever).

MsHighwater it's not the language but the intelligence. My Mum, Gran and a variety of family who didn't speak English never had a problem in an emergency. They were bright enough to figure it out completely. You know they do first aid in Spain she isn't a alien from another planet! My mum also did not speak Urdu when we became ill in Pakistan. She got us doctors, then when she needed care our non-English speaking, non- spainish speaking family got her to hospital. This was 33 years ago and we were there for three months. I think you are looking for problems where there are none.

I don't think it's U to be a little worried but as someone else said before the spanish person will probably know a few key words, don't worry about the 5yo being able to translate, kids pick up languages really quick and it's not like they will be discussing modern politics.
I think it could definitely be beneficial for you child.
Maybe leave your number with her if you are worried?

Sorry, starbear, but for me it would cross a line to leave my child in the sole care of someone whom I could not be absolutely confident would be able to handle an emergency situation.

It follows that I don't think the OP is unreasonable when she feels the same way. It's not about looking for problems that don't exist so much as it's about gauging the risk that exists and deciding what is, and is not, acceptable.

BTW, I consider myself reasonably intelligent but I know perfectly well that if I was in a country where I didn't speak the language and I needed to find help in a big hurry, I would be relying on finding someone (an adult, not a 5 year old) who spoke English.