DD5 and lack of playdates

[Lilpickle08]

Hello

My DD never seems to get invited on playdates and it saddens me a little, though I'm not sure if I'm being ridiculous!

She's had a few, but to be honest she's not that fussed and I always have to ask her to go and play with her friends as she'd rather sit in the corner colouring or reading.

She's never really asked for a child to be invited home, it's just that I see other parents doing it and kids going home all the time with other kids and it just makes me sad that she's not doing it too (though I have instigated a few playdates on her behalf).

Do I just leave her (she just likes her own company really) or do I gently encourage more playdates? I'm really not sure how to play it. I'm pretty certain I never had any when I was 5 but I just feel this 'playground pressure' and it's preying on my mind!

Incidentally she doesn't get invited round to others very often at all as she doesn't really have many friends - though it doesn't seem to boother her.

Thank you

DD1 is 6 and has only been on a few playdates. She's not that bothered and has only recently become confident enough that she'd be happy for me to leave her. She never seems particularly bothered about her friends coming here (although she has her DD2 who's 4 to play with at home, she's v happy playing by herself). Also, she's improving but is a v fussy eater so not sure how well she'd cope with going somewhere for tea etc. I don't think it's a big deal, tbh I find it a bit stressful having loads of other kids here so can't say I push it much! Neighbour's DD is in DD2s class so the three of them spend a fair bit of time playing between our houses but that's only been recently.

I think the kids who do it a lot mostly do it as it helps the parents out (ie you have my kids on a Wed after school and then I'll have yours on a Fri when you're working etc). I'm starting to work more now and could def see this happening more. If it bothers you then you could arrange some at yours, or maybe arrange to meet another mum and child at the park or something? But don't over-think it it's not a big deal, they're only small :o)