Play dates from school

[Sally21222]

Hello,

My son has started first grade in Europe and we are being invited every weekend to play dates. He already plays football (training three times a week and then match on weekend) and we go to birthday party for his team mates regularly but I feel like I’m being rude when I decline the weekend school meet up invitations too. I work full time and like family time at the weekend or to socialise with our established friends but I don’t want to feel like I’m being rude. I’m the class rep so organised a meet up in the park at the end of week 3 and we are going to a party this weekend of a classmate. I just don’t think we can do it all and he’s already close with the football friends so to prioritise the new class mates over them seems silly. How do other people navigate class friendships?

He's at school a lot longer than he's at football. I wouldn't be neglecting those friendships.

Play dates tend to be after school or in school holidays around here (in UK). DCs tend to be busy with clubs at weekends and also visiting family and birthday parties, and family days out.

I would suggest some play dates during the next school holiday or after school. Personally we prefer to do family activities at weekends and only do play dates in the holidays, this hasn't caused any issues with friendships. The only dcs who do weekend play dates tend to be only children, so they can have a playmate at weekends.