Any parent with a child old enough for playdates knows that not every little friend is a gem. At some point, the other kids can get too bossy, too nosy, or just too much. From what I’ve seen, most kids prefer to ignore adults unless you’re brandishing Popsicles or water balloons. This separation usually works well as long as you check in often enough to ensure the kids aren’t trying to give your cat a bubble bath or set the house on fire.
I was finally settling into my summer routine when my son’s buddy, Jake, came over to hang out. I had warned my son that this playdate would only last two hours because we needed to leave for my daughter’s soccer match.
With just 15 minutes left, Jake sidles up to me and asks, “Can I come with you to soccer?”
“Oh, not today, buddy. We’ve got a packed car because we’re taking one of my daughter’s friends,” I replied. My daughter, the ultimate instigator, casually mentions that we could fit one more person. Cue the pleading! I tried to hold my ground, but Jake isn’t that annoying. Why not earn some good karma early in summer?
We all pile into the car, and what follows feels like a chaotic game of Jeopardy. One moment, Jake is a polite 9-year-old in the backseat; the next, he’s bombarding us with questions at lightning speed.
“Are we there yet? Why are we driving so slowly? Which town is this? It looks like rain. Will they still play if it rains? Why is there so much traffic?”
I glance over to see my husband, Dave, shrinking into his seat like a turtle. I crank the music, hoping to drown out the barrage.
After dropping the girls off for warm-up, Jake pipes up, “Why are we driving away?”
I take a deep breath and respond, “The girls need to be there early. We’re going to grab a bite before the game.” No sooner do the words leave my mouth than he launches into another round of questions.
“Where are we eating? Can we go to Pizza Palace? Why not Pizza Palace? Is this place fancy? Can I order now? I know what I want—how many wings do I get? Does the blue cheese come on the side? How long until the food arrives? I usually eat at 5:30, this is late for me. Are we going to miss the game? When will the food be here? Can I sleep over tonight?”
After my third shot of tequila, I watch as Dave quietly slides under the table, curling up like a little kid, probably contemplating life choices. I stare at my empty cocktail with disbelief.
On the drive home after the game, I suddenly realize there must be families who’ve hosted my son and felt the same frustration. To those parents, I sincerely apologize for any chaos our family may have caused you—and any hangovers too.
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Summary
Playdates can be a whirlwind of fun and chaos, especially when kids are involved. From endless questions to unexpected requests, these moments can test any parent’s patience. However, they also remind us of the challenges we all face and the humor that can come from it.