How to be the Guest on Your First Play Date

Being the guest on the play date is fairly simple if you follow the basic rules. These tips will help you have a sucessful playdate, even when trouble happens.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. First you have to be invited by the host.
2. When you set up your play date, be sure to tell them you will supply your childs lunch and/or snacks so that the host does not have to go through any trouble. Ask if you can bring a snack that all the children can eat. Many children have severe allergies to peanuts and trea nuts. It is a very good idea not to bring these items into someone's home. Typically the host will tell you this is a nut free home before you arrive.
3. Tell the host if your child is afraid of any pets they may have so that the host may put them in a separate room or outside during their play date.
4. When you arrive at the play date it is always nice to bring a small token gift to the child from your child to break the ice. This is not always done but it does help to bring the two children together if they have never played together before.
5. If your child is a toddler, it is expected that you, the parent, stay through the entire play date.
6. Have your child dress appropriately for the date. If you know the children will be playing outside in the dirt or in the baby pool it is not a good idea to have your child dressed in their best clothes.
7. Always be polite. Do not make any negative comments about the person's home or the way they raise their child or children.
8. If your child is hitting or abusing the host child in anyway you must immediately intervene and have your child appologize. If the behavior continues you must politely end the date. If your child is the one being abused, simply remove your child from the situation without touching the other child. If the behavior continues, end the date.
9. If the children are not getting along, do your best to have them play nicely with each other without forcing the issue. If its not working out, simply call the date off early. Do not stay longer than you think you should, its more polite to just end it than to stick it out. Chances are the host will not ask you to leave even if she's praying for it to be over.
10. Keep it short and sweet. A playdate shouldn't last more than two hours. 1.5 to 2 hours is enough time for a playdate. Its a good idea if you set your time paramaters when you make the date in the first place so that the host knows when to expect your departure and can plan the rest of her/his day.
11. Offer to help clean up the mess. Often the host will tell you its not necessary but some hosts may actually need the help and will very much appreciate it.