to not want to make social arrangements with a 7 year old?

[Hassled]

One of DS3's friends will ring my mobile to discuss with me when DS3 can come to play, or when he can come to our house. He's 7, FFS. He's a nice enough kid, if a tad precocious. And it's not like he's doing this on the sly - the mother is always close enough in the background that when I say, as I always do, "well I'll have to talk about it with your Mum", the phone is passed over pronto. Why does she let this happen? What parent is going to say "Well, DS3 can come at around 2.30 and then we'll pick him up at 5 if that's not too late but he does have a bit of a cold" to a 7 year old? Or am I just very old fashioned?

Pennies are dropping all over the place now. This fits in nicely with the previously inexplicable FB friend request from an 11 year old girl classmate of DS2's. So Telephone Boy just loves me because I am a child magnet, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with a precocious desire to organise his own social life.

(and Cat64, I suspect you are quite right .)

Yes but you still don't want 7 yr olds ringing your mobile surely? I don't!

Now the FB friend thing is going too far. I have so far contrived to not let on to my DCs that many of their friends (yes, even the seven year olds) have FB pages, and have blocked all their friend requests.

Ds is 6 and calls his friend to arrange a playdate. Sometimes her mum answers and he makes the arrangements with her. Why should organise his social life - if he is free until tea time and I've already said it's okay why shouldn't he make the arrangement?

Maybe they have free minutes on their mobile.

Pull yer head in.

My 8 year old ds rang his friend's house recently. The friend's mum answered. ds said "I was wondering if J would like to come to seen Harry Potter with me this afternoon" J's mum said "He's in the bath - I'll ask him - hang on" pause "Yes, he'd love to" Ds "Could you ask him to meet my mum and me at the cinema at 2?" J's mum -"Yes, I'll tell him" Thanks and goodbyes exchanged.

Was this social pariah stuff? Seemed quite normal to me!

YANBU One of DDs friends (age 12) always rings my mobile and asks for DD even though she has our house number and DDs mobile no, I find it weird and rude. I also refuse to make arrangements through kids as often the parents had no idea about it and the kid just invites without asking. I suppose it is not that bad if the parent is in the background but still abit odd.

Sounds pretty well handled to me, seeker. I essentially agree with those who think it's no biggie. I am quite amused by the fact that hassled seems to be actively sought out by kids when she would prefer not to be, though!

I am imagining Hassled as a bit like Mr Tom in Goodnight Mr Tom. Crusty, but with a heart of gold.

well I have a bit of a phone phobia.....so the sooner my DS's can learn to arrange their own social arrangements the better

LadyGlencora - thank you, but in reality I'm just crusty .

YANBU

his mum needs a kick up the arse too