Disastrous first play date

[Ezs23]

Just finished our first play date and it was a bit of a disaster. My son is 18 months, no older siblings. We invited my friend and her daughter round, she's a couple of moths younger than him. He spent the whole time being extremely territorial over his toys, trying to snatch toys back, crying/whinging and generally being unpleasant. I'm so embarrassed with his behaviour as he's normally quite a happy child although does have a temper at times. He was tired and went to bed part way through so that would explain some of it but how can I make it better for next time? Will it improve as I arrange more play dates? He's not at nursery yet but will start in September. The group we used to go to has stopped so the play dates and soft play are his main interactions with other kids. Please tell me this is normal and it will improve with increased interaction?

It's nothing to do with older siblings and nursery and everything to do with being in his own house.

I used to childmind a lovely little girl, starting a few days after her first birthday. At my house and toddlers and soft play she was a delight, loved my DD, who was a month younger, and other mindee who was 6 months older, wasn't at all territorial.

The first time I went to her house with DD, after minding her 5 days per week for 6 months, she was like a different child - possessive, clinging to her mum, tantrum after tantrum. She had an older brother, that was nothing to do with it. She didn't know why we were in her space, why DD was picking up her toys etc.

If you go to the little girl's house roles may be reversed or both children might be a delight. Try that.

He’s 18 months old. My twins are 18 months, used to being around each other all the time and they still don’t play together. They mainly ignore each other unless the other one is holding something and then they snatch it off them. This is totally normal!

I had a friend and her 3 year old twins round a few days ago and one was getting upset because one of mine kept bumping into her or taking Toys and we had to explain to her that he’s too young to understand. I do tell them no and take the thing off them and give it back, but they don’t understand at all yet.

Hes just a baby and he was tired. Dont overthink it. The "playdate" was between you and your friend

Hey. I've given up on playdates for a while with my 6 year old twins as they keep going wrong ! Be kind to yourself and meet somewhere neutral. That's my plan for when it warms up.