Playdates do you just let them get on and entertain themselves

[lostittoday]

Hi
My ds has quite a few pals back at our house after school and was just wondering what others do when their dc has playdates.

Do you leave them to their own devices and let them sort out their own play, amusement, or do you try and arrange what they do or suggest things.

Also my son very often likes to put a dvd on to which I don't really like as I think if he has someone around to play with he should be doing that and the both of them not just sitting watching the telly although his mates usally seem happy enough to do that as well.

Do you just leave them to do their own thing as long as they are not wrecking the house obviously, and do you think its accpetable for them to just sit and watch telly.

how old are they?

7 YEAR OLDS

I would be tempted to let them get on with it - but my DC's are younger than that so may be talking out of my arse

I just leave them to their own devices and only step in if they are having serious disagreements, trashing the rooms, or if I think DS isn't giving the other kid a turn or something.

The last thing I want to do is play with them or entertain them!

Depends on who it is. If it's someone who has been to play lots I just let them get on with it. If it's the first time, I keep checking that the friend is ok.

I let them watch TV if that's what they want.

I think sometimes a dvd is a good idea, if it's been along day, they've been to football or running around the park, it's getting late. Everyone needs some unwind time and a bit of tv is good for this. Also calms them down if they've gone into hyper overdrive.