I'm suspecting that our days of going out with other families for the day may be numbered!
We used to do this quite a lot with friends who have similar age children to ours - either a teatime arrangement at ours or their house, or go on an outing together. Adults would chat, children would play, everyone happy.
However on the last few occasions the children haven't really mixed at all. It wasn't unpleasant, just our children in particular didn't seem to enjoy it (can't really speak for the other children because I don't know them as well).
Our dc (3 girls aged nearly 10, 8 and 4), especially the older 2, are really very happy just having family time at home just with us. A few outings here and there but they're v happy just chilling at home. Of course this is lovely and I'm making the most of it because I know it won't last once the teenage years are upon us ! but does this mean no more daytime social arrangements because they don't like it? Dh and I quite like seeing friends and we both agree that sometimes children just have to put up with things that may not be up their street.
So difficult to balance everyone's needs, giving family time priority AND trying not to raise spoilt children whose demands are always met!