Play dates - when is sending them solo ‘normal’?

[CBC123]

Thoughts needed!!

DS is in Year 2 and solo play dates are generally the norm now although if it’s a parent that I like, we tend to use it as an excuse to hang out.

Mine went from 3-4 years on their own but I knew them and their parents.

I think reception age is the turning point. In reception, a parent might stay or go. Before that they usually stay and in year 1 they would usually not stay.

I think some do and some don’t from Reception (so age four). It’s rarer younger unless the child knows the parent or the play date is arranged to help out the parent as they need to do something.

None family we starting having them in year 2.

although my younger daughter is now in reception and desperate to invite people over because she’s watched her brother do it for a couple of years, but I’m not sure as I don’t want to put people on the spot or make them feel awkward !

Agree Reception is when it changes, though if parents don’t know you they do seem to want to hang out at least once. Which is one reason of many why we still do big class parties - parents can see I’m fairly normal without me having to entertain them 1:1 for three hours.

I think the bigger question is when you first let them go to a house where you don't already know the parents. I tagged along to one play date in year 1, and was very glad I did (no danger, but having been promised lunch, it wasn't until about 2.30 and a very odd lunch - obviously I couldn't do much about it, but I was glad I knew, and if daughter had got tetchy because she was hungry, I could have intervened).
Of course, if you don't do the school run, it's harder to get to know other parents - Tigerbalmshark's suggestion is good for that.

Why would it make them feel awkward? My dd had lots of play dates in reception, it’s pretty normal at that age.