DS1 going on playdate

[arewehuman]

Hi, sorry i don;t really like the term play date but it seemed easier than 'going to play and have tea'

Anyway, i'm just looking for a bit of advice and other peoples opinions. DS1 is 5.6 and started school in September. He has been invited round to a school friends house for a play and tea next week. This isn't one of his 'best friends' but he seems pleased to have been invited. This is the first time he has been invited to a school freinds house to play and DH and I are feeling really cautious about is as we don't really know the family (single Mum and heavily involved Grandmother) other than small talk at the school gate. They seem perfectly ok to me but of couse we are abit worried about who ealse might be at the house etc.

Are we being totally paranoid or do most people have concerns.

the only thing i can think of doing is saying that i would like to come long for the first half hour (and hopefully this will ease my worries) and hope they are not totally offended by this or think i'm bonkers!

Any thoughts would be great, thanks.

I would say he's a bit shy in new situations like that and would she mind if I came round after school with him, got him settled and then left them to it?

I would be cautious too (not at all because she's a single mum btw, I'm not sure how that's relevant!) with people I don't really know, it's a bit like letting them go off with a stranger.

yes i have been surprised at how easily mums at dd1's school have let theri children come back to mine. mine hasnt been invited back yet so all to come. i think the plan suggested is a good one. there could be a big dog, or anything. best to check it out if at all poss....

Sorry, i didn't mean to imply anything re single mum - i just wanted to try and describe the situation as best i could.

Hi, I would defo want to go with! I find the whole issue of leaving dd (even with people I know quite well) difficult. I would ask to come along (say son is a bit unsure in new places or something). I myself always invite Mum and child. I know a lot of other people aren't worried about this sort of stuff and that's fine. But I am so I keep things in my comfort zone and make no apologies for that!
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thanks, its lovely to know that i am not being paranoid. DS1 is so grown up in lots of way but he is still only 5 and that's so young to be left with people he doesn't know.
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