Playdate brings younger sibling

[Anonymous]

DS wanted to have playdate with a friend. The parent left the kid for play. Then comeback to pick up. But recently the parents brought the younger sibling and asked whether he can stay. The younger kid is prek. I really don’t feel comfortable to have this young kid at my home without his parents. How to politely say no for next playdate?

[Anonymous]

“No, that won’t work.”


That’s all.

[Anonymous]

"I don't feel comfortable having him here without a parent, sorry."

[Anonymous]

Sorry, that won't work.

Looks like that parent sees you as a potential sitter. I would not get into "comfortable" or not, as she will try to talk you through it. bummer.

[Anonymous]

I'd be pretty surprised if the parents just assumed its a 2 kid drop off every time now. When you extend the next invitation say "the kids had lots of fun together last time, but we were thinking big kids only for this one because DC wants to have some one on one time with friend." If they push on including the younger say ok why don't we meet up at the park and plan the big kid playdate at our place for another time.

[Anonymous]

That is really ballsy of them to ask without you ever having given a hint that it’s okay! Next time, just tell the parents that one of them will need to stay if they want their younger kid to be there. But I can also see someone this ballsy saying okay, then staying for only a little bit then saying they have to leave. Just tell them no.

[Anonymous]

You say I’m sorry I won’t be able to babysit little pre-K while the boys have their play date.

[Anonymous]

I posted recently about a parent asking if sibling could come to a play date for an 8yo and I said yes thinking mom was staying. She just did a drive by drop off of the 8yo friend and younger 5yo sibling. The younger sibling was an absolute disaster.

I will never say yes to that sibling ever again. The answer will always be no. I don’t plan on inviting the friend over anytime soon or maybe ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You say I’m sorry I won’t be able to babysit little pre-K while the boys have their play date.

This is exactly what you need to say OP! Need to be very clear on what is going on and not make arguable statements.

[Anonymous]

Use your words and say, "no"

[Anonymous]

"Sorry, I can't take siblings. We love having Larla over!"

But I probably wouldn't offer to host again for a long while. You should have said no the first time, but they put you in a really awkward position having to say no to a preschooler to her face.

[Anonymous]

Same as above… the parents who have done this to me are written off in my book as rude and I don’t invite their kids over anymore.
If you want to bring the younger sibling and sit on my deck with me or have coffee in my kitchen, by all means! But none of this drop and go of your little kid.

[Anonymous]

WTH, the gall on that woman!? The only time that might be remotely acceptable is if the siblings were very close in age or you had another child of a matching age, the kids were all used to playing with each other, and you discussed it in advance.

In the future, she hosts.