When Playdates Take a Turn for the Worse

So there I was, chatting with another mom at school pickup when she asked, “Hey, would Emma like to come over for a playdate?” I replied, “Sure, sounds like fun!” Then she added, “Just make sure she brings her swimsuit.” Wait, what? Emma was only 7, and the thought of her swimming at a stranger’s house without me was unsettling. I barely knew this woman—sure, she was friendly and always looked put together, but that was about it. A wave of anxiety washed over me. My daughter had only been swimming for two years, and she hadn’t been in the water since last summer. Before I could gather my thoughts, we were on our way to her house.

As we pulled into the driveway, I thought, maybe I should just hide in the bushes. But then I decided: No way am I leaving my child here without me. So I dropped Emma off—and stayed. Call me rude, but I wasn’t comfortable with the situation.

This experience truly highlighted how nerve-wracking it can be to leave your child in someone else’s care. Trusting someone you hardly know to look after your kid? Terrifying. Most of the time, playdates go smoothly, but occasionally, you run into some pretty memorable situations. Here’s a list of some of the not-so-great playdates my daughter has had:

The Softball Situation

Look, I get it—predicting when kids need to go can be a challenge. But one time, a little girl at our house announced she needed to use the bathroom. Turns out, she actually needed to go at home but her mom didn’t want to be late to the playdate (how considerate!). Thankfully, I wasn’t on diaper duty—Emma’s mom, Sarah, had to handle that mess. The poor girl spent 20 minutes in the bathroom, and when she finally emerged, Sarah said it was like a softball. Science might never explain how something that size came out of someone so small!

Home Depot Babysitting

When Emma was 7, we picked her up from her friend’s house, and she seemed a bit shaken. Naturally, we wanted to know what happened. Apparently, her friend’s mom and her boyfriend thought it was a good idea to head to Home Depot, leaving the older brother in charge. What the heck?! Let’s just say Emma hasn’t been back for another playdate there.

Don’t Be Dishonest

During third grade, an unexpected playdate was set up right at pickup. I had never met the mom before, but she was one of those who always had a clipboard at every school event. I figured, she must be responsible. I mentioned, “I’ll just grab Emma’s booster seat from the other parking lot.” She insisted, “No need! We have an extra one.” Cool! I shared my number in case of any issues. No calls came, but when Emma arrived home, she said, “No booster.” Great.

The Pricey Dress Dilemma

One day, I asked Emma and her 4-year-old friend if they wanted to play outside. The little girl replied, “Sure, but I need to wear Emma’s clothes because my dress cost $95.” First, don’t send your kid dressed to impress if you don’t want them to get dirty! Second, I’m pretty sure she was coached to say that. Of course, I ended up giving her some spare clothes, but I did consider tossing her into a puddle—just kidding… kind of.

It’s 10 a.m.

When Emma was in preschool, her mom took her for a morning playdate. Once inside, the other mother offered Sarah a beer. “But it’s only 10 in the morning,” Sarah replied, clearly surprised. Let’s just say I tread lightly on this topic due to my own past, but if you have issues with addiction, hosting playdates might not be the best idea.

Where’s Barbie?

After one marathon playdate when Emma was 6, all of her dolls seemed to vanish. Sarah and Emma looked everywhere but couldn’t find them. We started to suspect that the little girl who had just left might have taken them. But how could she have snuck them out? A day later, we found all ten Barbies behind the chair in Emma’s room—with their heads mysteriously severed. Let’s just say that little girl didn’t come back.

Trust me, most playdates are totally fine, but it’s those wild experiences that leave us with stories to tell! For more insights into parenting and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on the IVF process.

In summary, navigating playdates can be a minefield filled with unexpected twists and turns. While most are smooth sailing, some will leave you with tales to remember (or forget!). Just remember to trust your instincts and keep a close eye on those little ones.