Playdates? Not my cup of tea. If you’re considering having my kids over for one, I might say yes—just don’t expect me to return the favor. I realize this goes against the current parenting norms, but hear me out.
Back in my day—and probably yours too—playdates didn’t exist. If you wanted to hang out with a friend, you simply knocked on their door and asked them to come out and play. There was no formal scheduling involved. Kids just got together to play tag, ride bikes, or engage in whatever mischief came to mind, all without needing a parent to orchestrate the event.
This whole playdate trend has emerged from our tendency to over-schedule and over-parent our children. In addition to school, kids today face a mountain of homework and a plethora of extracurricular activities. So, when the time comes for them to play, it all has to fit into a tight schedule, leading parents to feel the need to plan and supervise playtime.
I’m all for reverting back to the carefree days when kids could just show up at each other’s houses and play outside. Sure, a friendly mom might occasionally hand out popsicles, but the expectation of elaborate snacks or organized activities wasn’t a thing. And just because our kids are friends doesn’t mean we need to be best buddies. I’m happy to keep a safe distance—just enough to ensure you’re not a serial killer or something, of course!
Truth be told, with my seven little ones, I barely have time to think, let alone host playdates. The chances of you receiving an invitation from me to bring your crew over are slim. Even if I did feel particularly adventurous one day, my scattered brain would likely prevent me from executing it. It’s a miracle I remember to change my toddler’s diaper as it is!
So here’s the deal: if your kids want to play, just send them over to knock on our door. But don’t expect any organized crafts or gourmet snacks. They might come home with a new bad habit or a colorful word or two that I promise they didn’t learn from me! Meanwhile, I’ll be relaxing inside with a cocktail, grateful for the brief respite from the chaos.
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In summary, I believe we need to reclaim the spontaneity of childhood play without the constraints of structured playdates. Let kids be kids—imperfect, chaotic, and wonderfully free.