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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

How many playdates does your dc have?

22 replies

CrackerFactory · 21/09/2011 21:02

I always feel guilty about this. Then I have a fenzied few weeks organsing playdates. However, I do feel that by the end of the school day the kids are tired, they have homework and need some downtime too so I don't really like doing a lot of playdates but then I worry I am not doing enough. What do you think is reasonable?

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CMOTdibbler · 21/09/2011 21:06

DS is in yr1, and has never been invited to a playdate

Mousey84 · 21/09/2011 21:06

Im a childminder so DD has "playdates" by default (luckily mindees are very good friends of DDs) at least 3 times a week. If I was able to choose, Id do Fri nights only - nice way to start weekend, and no homework to worry about.

Chestnutx3 · 21/09/2011 21:13

I am restricting them to Friday nights and holidays due to homework and after school activities. Its also difficult if you have 2+ children and if they are at schools where the pupils come from a large geographical location - there are some parents over an hour drive from each other.

strictlovingmum · 21/09/2011 21:15

DD also Y1 only had couple of last year, none since we started Y1, agree with Mousey84 if you are set to organise one, Friday is a good day, I don't really see how it would work on any other week day.

Riveninabingle · 21/09/2011 21:17

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Original poster

CrackerFactory · 21/09/2011 21:19

I am pretty much the same as you chestnut for the same reasons but I do not have them every Friday. Your replies are reassuring, thank you

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Riveninabingle · 21/09/2011 21:25

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bibbitybobbityhat · 21/09/2011 21:30

There are always some slightly stressed parents (often parents of a singleton, I find) who issue a lot of invitations and expect a lot of invitations back.

I have two primary dc and on average I'd say they go to about 5 or 6 playdates each per term. And reciprocate, obv .

40notTrendy · 21/09/2011 21:30

We've got a couple organised at weekends coming up. And in the holidays we had 2 or 3 week (but lots of my friends have similar days off to me and have dc similar age to my ds). But I agree that they are tired after school and I don't feel in the slightest bit guilty about getting him home, a lot bit of tv, bit of playing, dinner, bath, bed. Also some of the kids in his class are a nightmare a bit challenging, so don't want to organise something as i don't really want them in my house

Original poster

CrackerFactory · 21/09/2011 21:32

I hear what you are saying 40notTrendy

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40notTrendy · 21/09/2011 21:34

yeah, ripped wallpaper and flowers being pulled up not my idea of fun

Chestnutx3 · 21/09/2011 21:40

riven homework depends which school some first day of reception others never, some 10mins a night others 45 minutes a night. Why oh why didn't I ask more questions about homework when I looked round schools!

TallulahBlue · 22/09/2011 22:36

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40notTrendy · 22/09/2011 22:47

Depends on your dc. Mine won't let me leave!

40notTrendy · 22/09/2011 22:48

And generally I'll do an easy tea for all, sausages, chips etc.

munstersmum · 23/09/2011 11:12

As yr3 DS is an only have tried to make an effort on his behalf. Usually manage 1 per fortnight here. Biggest obstacle is other kids' timetables of activities. So now I let him go to more activities so he is socialising there.

ragged · 23/09/2011 13:59

Very few, I did think I would try for one a fortnight but now think I'll be lucky if DS (y3) manages to host one a term. I have trouble even getting them to come.
Older DC (y5 & y7) organise their own social lives.

aries12 · 23/09/2011 14:40

Once a month maybe, but it depends. My Dd was a new child in Y2 last year and she was always invited on playdates. I appreciated them very much as it helped so much with her settling into the school.
I returned all the invites and this year I will try and keep them to a Friday as I agree with other posters, children are tired after school, they need to do homework and they can genuinely get overtired and irritable if they are very young.

cjbartlett · 23/09/2011 14:42

yes about once a month

ds has a best friend he has over once a month for tea and then in school holidays

maybe a birthday party 4-6 times a year

things tend to die down a bit as they get older (he's in juniors) and what with school discos, summer & xmas fairs they see each other quite a bit

RhinestoneCowgirl · 23/09/2011 14:46

DS is in Y1, I think he had total of 2 playdates in reception. Was talking to another mum this week and another might be in the offing.

stepmad · 23/09/2011 15:10

Charges when in reception one every other week with home work reading ballet fun dance that was enough
Now y1 once a week its a very small close school more home work reading and ballet plus they start gym and choir next week if its too much it can always be dropped

BarbarianMum · 23/09/2011 16:07

Ds1 is in Y1 and he either goes on, or we host, a playdate every 2/3 weeks in term time. Last year, in reception, it was maybe 1 per half term - he was just too tired.

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