friends home from school - to hover or not to hover?

[misshoney]

My dd1, at reception, has started bringing friends home from school - obviously she has only known most of them for a few weeks, so the relationships are tentative. I'm not sure whether I should be playing with them, organising them, etc, or whether I should just leave them to their devices and intervene when they fight. I find that I do lots of ineffectual hovering. Part of me wants to do stuff with them - lego, papier mache, cooking etc - and part of me hopes this is one time where I don't have to be organising!!!!
Any tips?

I think I would hover for a new child's first visit - be in the next room with an open door between you maybe - and if all goes well, leave them to it after that.

Yes,more or less hover.I think reception is a bit too young for friends over.I didn't start until year 1.I would have some idea in your head of activities you want them to be doing on their own.I would let them play dressing up upstairs or I like them to do drawing or painting definately no tv.Or outside if weather is nice.

Intevene when thsy fight

Agree with janh: hover for a bit and then leave them to it if they're getting on OK. Blimey, I wouldn't play with them if you don't have to - for me, the point of inviting ds's friends over is so I can read the paper in peace

Yeah, play it by ear. We have toys/playroom upstairs, and if guest child is happy to accept ds2's invitation to "come upstairs and see my toys", then I basically leave them to it.

They probably have a fairly strict routine all day at school, so will enjoy having a bit of freedom in their play, rather than have you presenting something new to them.

Some comments have been made here as to whether they are too young: it just depends on the kids. Some children are still too tired after school, and need a bit of private space, even when they are 6 or 7 ... others have plenty of energy and sociability left even at 4 and 5 and can benefit from this sort of activity.

But don't feel you HAVE to invite friends round to play - they have plenty of time to socialise at school, it might be that you and your dd would actually prefer to spend some time together. But if you both enjoy having these friends round, then great - go for it.

When my school-age children have their friends over (they're now 5 & 7) I tend to let them get on with it by themselves.

I step in to sort out any disagreements (although these generally are between my 3 so again let them get on with it )

I play it that they have spent all day being told what to do so I think they should have the freedom to do whatever.

Also, from my part, I spend most of the day working in a children's nursery - so do plenty of organising/crafts/arts/reading/cooking during the day - so after school I don't want to be doing it all over again