As a new school Mom, I’ve found myself in a situation where my daughter wants to have a playdate with her school friend. But the thought of initiating a playdate with another child’s parent can be a bit intimidating. If you’re in a similar boat, rest assured, you’re not alone. I recently faced a situation where my daughter’s friend wanted a playdate, and I was unsure about how to ask her Mom. In this post, I’ll share my experience and provide some tips for parents on how to navigate the playdate planning process.
My daughter’s friend made the cutest handmade card to ask to her play and I didn’t want to leave her on “Read” so I had my daughter draw her a card and I wrote a note to her Mom. I decided on sending a handwritten letter in her backpack addressed to her friend’s Mom. It’s a simple and non-invasive way to initiate contact. Here’s what I said:
Hey (Mom’s Name)
My daughter has shown an interesting in having a playdate with (Child’s name). Give me a call or text and we can arrange something”
(Insert Phone #)
Thank you,
(Name)
I then let my daughter give it to her friend and then waited. (I have no update yet because this literally happened today- and my amazing audience from Instagram wants this blog post asap lol)
I asked my audience on Instagram for their input and here are some other ways you can ask for a playdate:
In-Person Request: If you happen to see the other parent during school pick-up, you can take the opportunity to approach them directly. Start with a friendly greeting, express your child’s interest in a playdate, and suggest a potential date and time. Be respectful of their response and offer your contact information for further coordination. This face-to-face interaction can help build a more personal connection and may lead to a
Ask the Teacher: Sometimes, involving the teacher can be a helpful way to arrange playdates, especially if you’re not directly acquainted with the other parent. Here are some tips:
- Approach the teacher: Talk to your child’s teacher about the desire for a playdate and ask if they can help facilitate the connection with the other child’s parents.
- Maintain open communication: Share your concerns and preferences with the teacher, so they can make the appropriate introduction.
- Respect privacy: Not all parents may be comfortable with playdates arranged through the teacher, so always respect their choice.
What to Expect from Playdates:
- Parental presence: Especially for younger children, it’s not uncommon for parents to stay during the playdate. It’s a great way for parents to get to know each other as well. So basically, if you are hosting the playdate- clean up! Grown ups are coming lol
- Activities and snacks: Prepare some simple activities and snacks for the playdate, but be open to the children’s preferences. It’s also a good idea to ask about any dietary restrictions or allergies, the last thing you want is for the child to have an allergic reaction or feel uncomfortable.
- Safety and supervision: Ensure the safety of all children during the playdate. You might want to discuss boundaries and rules with the other parent beforehand. Some parents are more strict on certain things than others (ie: some parents don’t allow any television time)
- Flexibility: Playdates may not always go as planned, and that’s okay. Be flexible and go with the flow. Currently I’m booking playdates 1-2 months out, sooo there’s that lol
Conclusion:
Initiating playdates for your child can seem intimidating, but it’s a wonderful way for kids to socialize and build lasting friendships. By following the simple steps and tips mentioned above, you can navigate the friendship frontier with ease. Remember that building connections with other parents can also lead to stronger community bonds and support for both you and your child. Happy playdating!
