Friends round after school

[emmy5]

Can I ask how often do your DCs have friends round after school? My DD has just started reception and is really tired - but there seems to be this whole social scene going on and I'm not sure if I'm letting her down by not inviting people round.

DD is in reception and we have someone round about once a week. I know what you mean about being tired - DD needs feeding as soon as she gets home.

I have 3 DC, and we probably have one friend round every two weeks. If we get on (what the DC call) a good run, then I suppose a friend a week.

DS2 has just started reception and has a mini-tantrum most days because 'he's not allowed a friend back to play'. I think he's a bit tired to cope with it yet.

I'm not aware of a huge social scene going on that we're not involved in.

We have film afternoons so they can relax and eat popcorn.

Not often! This term we've had 4 over - and that's between 2 dc's. What with after school clubs and work, I just can't be arsed. I hook up with mums and their dc's during the holidays to make up for it.

Thank you for replies. Just seem to be getting tears at the end of the day - x is going to y's house to play, can I go too? Trouble is when she's tired she's not that nice to people. Sometimes ends with fighting over a toy or something. Makes me feel guilty as she doesn't have siblings. Had thought about joining some after school classes but she's just exhausted and starving come 3pm. I like the idea of film afternoons - that's a great idea.

As for, "Can I go too?" I'd try and make it one-on-one rather than three kids at once, this can often lead to someone being left out.

Thanks moogalicious - I work and we live in a run down house - gradually trying to do it up but to make it look halfway decent for visitors takes a huge effort. And PlanetEarth - it's not so much the threesome thing (tho I do agree it doesn't work), it's that she's not invited. Just seems that everyone else is making more effort than me and I'm worried about her being left out. Sorry - sound like a lazy whingebucket I know.

My dd is way too tired for afternoon visits from friends. So we try to organise that a friend can come and play during the weekend, every other weekend and during holidays. I expect that when she is a bit older she will have friends coming over after school but definitely not now. Also, because I want her in bed by 7 pm to make sure she gets enough sleep.

My son is in Y1 and we have a friend round probably only once or twice a month. After a busy day at school sometimes they really do just need some downtime. Also if done every now and again, it is something they really enjoy and look forward to rather than becoming a routine or worse a chore.

My 4 year old DS has just started reception and has a friend round/goes to a friend's house about once a week. But I'm very firm that it's only for an hour, any longer and it ends in tears. And I make sure that we lots of things with friends during the holidays and weekends.

Thanks everyone for replies.