The Sitch: Your child’s old enough to stay home briefly, and often does. But is it okay to leave her and her playmate home while you dash to the dry cleaner?
The Solution: Take the kids with you, or save your errand for another time, says Ava Parnass, a child and family psychotherapist in New York City. “The other parent expects you to be there and be in charge,” she says. “You want to make sure that no one’s feelings get too hurt if there’s a squabble.”
There are also safety considerations— among them, a pal might not be as familiar with your home’s setup as your own child is. Risa Miller*, of Fanwood, NJ, is still feeling guilty because while she was in the backyard, her daughter’s 9-year-old pal decided to microwave some mac and cheese. “She reassured my daughter that she cooked all the time at her home. But our microwave is higher up than at her house, so it’s trickier to reach. The girl spilled hot pasta on her wrist and ended up with a burn that required three visits to the doctor.”
The Sitch: Your daughter’s playmate whips out her cell and starts texting other friends while your kid twiddles her thumbs.
The Solution: “Simply say ‘Jane, since you’re here on a playdate, you guys are going to play,’ ” recommends Tina Paone, Ph.D., a play therapist, mother of three, and founder of Counseling Center at Heritage, in Montgomeryville, PA. As for complaining to the friend’s mom later, “I wouldn’t, if the child quickly put the phone away,” says Lisa Gaché, founder of Beverly Hills Manners, in California. “But if it happens on her next visit, then at pickup, you could say to her mom, with a smile, ‘Maybe next time the girls can find an activity that doesn’t involve them being on the phone.’ ”
The Sitch: You feel pressured to serve only ultra-healthy foods on playdates, even though your kid prefers potato chips.
The Solution: Aim for a balance, like Joan Schwartz* of Scarsdale, NY, does when her 11-year-old daughter, Hannah, has a friend over. “I first put out something healthy, like cut-up fruit, and tell the girls they can have chips after they’ve finished that,” she says. “The other mom will know I tried to get something nutritious in them, and sometimes the kids are so full after the healthy snack that they don’t ask for anything else.”
The Sitch: You have strict TV limits at home. Is it OK to ask other parents not to allow the kids to veg out in front of the tube or video-game screen?
The Solution: Either turn down playdates at houses where the TV always seems to be on or—more sensibly— keep your lip zipped and let your child go. “If you make a request about the television, it will sound judgmental,” says Paone. “Besides, it’s not like you’re sending your kid over there every day, and part of letting him grow up a little is releasing some control.” If you really object, rather than saying so outright, you can hint around, like Sandra Pierce* of New York City does. “I’ll say something beforehand to the mom about how nice it is outside and how my sons really love to play football in the yard,” she confesses. Or offer to host at your place, as Phil Corwin of Bellmore, NY, does. “I can’t dictate to other parents, but I can make them happy. Most parents are more than happy to dump their kid at your place.” Well said, Dad!
The Sitch: Your 12-year old loves to play Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare on his Xbox. You’re OK with it (you blasted plenty of Space Invaders as a tween) but you’re nervous about letting his pals play, since it’s rated Mature and contains violence. (Fun violence, but violence.)
The Solution: Find out if the guest has the game himself. If he does, problem solved. If not, ask what his family rules are and make your decision based on that. You can always edit your kid’s video titles the night before the playdate. That way, your child won’t lose face when Mom heeds her own Call of Duty and confiscates the game in front of his friend. Explain why you’re doing it, so he (hopefully) understands.
The Sitch: A family has invited your child to go to a Justin Bieber concert with their kid. Should you pay for your kid’s ticket?
The Solution: If you can, offer the money, says Gaché. “Do it with a big smile and say ‘Thank you so much!’ so they’re not offended and think you’re doing it because you’re worried they can’t afford it,” she adds. They may insist they’re treating, and that’s fine. If things are tight at your house, send what you can and be sure to help your kid write a thank-you note later on. Try to host as soon as you can, too. Sharon Webb of Palm Springs, FL, told us on Facebook that when another mom treated her son to two Disney events in two days, she watched all her kids in return. We’re sure her son’s mom appreciated the reciprocity (and rest!).
Sourced from parenting.com
Photos by peterme and loiclemeur (Flickr)