“Hey, could little Emma come over to play?” the other mom asked with a bright smile.
“Sure, that sounds fun!” I replied.
“Make sure she brings her swimsuit,” she added.
Swimsuit? Wait, what? Emma was only 7, and the thought of her swimming at a stranger’s house while I wasn’t there made my stomach twist. I barely knew this woman. Sure, she was friendly during school pickup, always looking polished and scrolling through her phone while waiting. But that was all I really knew. A wave of anxiety washed over me. Was it intuition or just parental instinct? Either way, it didn’t sit right. Emma had only been swimming for a couple of years, and she hadn’t even been in the water since last summer.
Before I could process it all, we were driving to the friend’s house. Maybe I should just hide in the bushes, I thought. But then, as we pulled into the driveway, I decided to stay—at least for the first playdate. I wasn’t about to let anything happen on my watch, so I “dropped off” Emma but stayed nearby. I know it might seem rude, but I had to trust my instincts.
This experience highlighted just how daunting it can be to leave your child in someone else’s care. The thought of someone I barely knew being responsible for Emma was terrifying. Thankfully, most playdates are uneventful, but occasionally, things go sideways. Here are a few memorable mishaps Emma has encountered:
The Bathroom Dilemma
One time, a little girl visiting our house urgently needed to use the bathroom. She explained that she had to go at home, but her mom didn’t want them to be late for the playdate. Fortunately, I was spared from dealing with this crisis—her mom, Sarah, took on the challenge. After 20 minutes, Sarah reported that the result was the size of a small watermelon!
Home Depot and Childcare
When Emma was 7, we were picking her up from a friend’s house when she disclosed she had a blast but felt a bit scared. It turned out that the friend’s mom and her boyfriend left a 5th grader in charge while they went to Home Depot. Yikes! Emma never had another playdate at that house again.
The Booster Seat Incident
During an impromptu playdate, I met a mom I had never spoken to before. She was always at school events, clipboard in hand, which made me assume she was responsible. “My daughter’s booster seat is parked in the other lot,” I said. “I’ll grab it.”
“No, it’s okay,” she insisted. “We have an extra one.” I thought that sounded good and gave her my number for any emergencies. When Emma returned home, she told me there was no booster seat.
Expensive Wardrobe Choices
“Hey, girls,” I said to Emma and her friend. “Do you want to play outside?”
“Sure, but I need to wear Emma’s clothes because my dress costs a fortune,” the friend replied. Seriously? First, why send your kid to a playdate in expensive clothes if you don’t want them to get muddy? Second, it felt like she was coached to say that. I did give her some extra clothes but resisted the urge to push her into a puddle—barely.
A Morning Surprise
On another occasion, Emma went for a morning playdate, and her mom, Lisa, was offered a beer by the other mother at 10 a.m. “But it’s only 10 a.m.,” Lisa said. The other mom seemed oblivious. I’m cautious discussing this because of my own struggles with addiction, but if you’re having issues, hosting playdates isn’t a good idea.
Where Did All the Dolls Go?
After a particularly long playdate when Emma was 6, all her dolls mysteriously vanished. Despite searching high and low, they were nowhere to be found. The next day, we discovered all ten Barbies behind Emma’s chair, with their heads removed. We never saw that little girl again.
Navigating playdates can be a mixed bag, filled with both joyful moments and unexpected challenges. Just remember, trusting your instincts is key—because sometimes, it’s not about the fun but about ensuring your child’s safety.
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Summary
Playdates can bring joy but also unexpected challenges and concerns for parents. From bathroom mishaps to unexpected situations, trusting your instincts is essential for your child’s safety. Most playdates are harmless, but it’s wise to stay alert and aware of your surroundings.