With the hectic schedules many families have today, play dates are no longer spur of the moment events. Gone are the days of simply riding a bike over to a friend’s house for a sleepover. Parents have to keep a closer eye on their children’s whereabouts, and schedules being what they are in this day and age–that means play dates are more often planned occasions rather than spontaneous events.
But hosting a play date can cause stress, especially if it is an event for both parents and children to attend. For many parents, a play date is as much a chance for them to socialize with other adults as it is a chance for their children to have friends to play with. It’s a modern form of multi tasking and while it’s an excellent opportunity for parents to connect and share time together with those who have similar interests, it can also be a source of stress.
Moms planning time for their children to interact with others and hoping for a chance to have a cup of coffee with another adult might find their expectations dashed. Having a friend over might not mean the kids aren’t underfoot–it might mean just the opposite. Mediating a play date can be as much work and distraction as time spent home alone with her child can be.
It might seem counter-intuitive to turn a play date into a planned children’s party in order to guarantee more time for moms to chit chat, but it works! That’s because, especially for small children, a few simple cues can turn an ordinary visit into a party–and that can provide just the entertainment and motivation that kids need to interact productively together. Something as simple as choosing a theme and picking up a couple dollars worth of party favors can help! A “party” is enough excitement to occupy most children while moms chat.