How much do you socialize with your kids’ friends’ parents?

[Anonymous]

My child is starting a new school and I’m not in the mood to socialize. This is middle school so I’m fairly certain we are past the age of play dates with moms included.

Am I in the clear?

I’m happy to host and drive tweens around.

[Anonymous]

DC started a new school in 5th. We got to know a few parents pretty well over the course of the next 4 years through seeing the same people at school events (plays, concerts, and then all the 8th grade HS meetings, and occasionally running into them at HS open house events) but otherwise never socialized with them. You’re fine.

[Anonymous]

Middle school typically includes children ages 11 to 14, which is also an age range associated with an increased risk of sexual abuse.
You may find parents who are comfortable letting their children have unsupervised playdates at another family’s home. However, many parents will not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Middle school typically includes children ages 11 to 14, which is also an age range associated with an increased risk of sexual abuse.
You may find parents who are comfortable letting their children have unsupervised playdates at another family’s home. However, many parents will not.

Um, I have two children in middle school, and have yet to encounter a parent who actually wanted to supervise his or her child in my home or expected me to want to do the same in their home. The idea of sitting and watching while 12 year olds choreograph a dance for the talent show or put together a project for the science fair is just a bit much.

[Anonymous]

The hostility on this thread is weird. You socialize with who you want to socialize with, don't socialize with who you don't want to socialize with. If what you're really asking is: "will my child be negatively impacted by my refusing to socialize with their friends' parents?" the answer is "maybe."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Middle school typically includes children ages 11 to 14, which is also an age range associated with an increased risk of sexual abuse.
You may find parents who are comfortable letting their children have unsupervised playdates at another family’s home. However, many parents will not.

Um, I have two children in middle school, and have yet to encounter a parent who actually wanted to supervise his or her child in my home or expected me to want to do the same in their home. The idea of sitting and watching while 12 year olds choreograph a dance for the talent show or put together a project for the science fair is just a bit much.

They probably just refused to have the playdate at home and asked for something more neutral, like a library or a playground. Anyway, predators thrive on that type of mentality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The hostility on this thread is weird. You socialize with who you want to socialize with, don't socialize with who you don't want to socialize with. If what you're really asking is: "will my child be negatively impacted by my refusing to socialize with their friends' parents?" the answer is "maybe."

In preschool? Yes, there's no way around it.
In elementary school? Maybe, but I didn't bother much, and my kids always had plenty of friends.
In middle school? No, it really doesn't seem to be expected in the same way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Middle school typically includes children ages 11 to 14, which is also an age range associated with an increased risk of sexual abuse.
You may find parents who are comfortable letting their children have unsupervised playdates at another family’s home. However, many parents will not.

Um, I have two children in middle school, and have yet to encounter a parent who actually wanted to supervise his or her child in my home or expected me to want to do the same in their home. The idea of sitting and watching while 12 year olds choreograph a dance for the talent show or put together a project for the science fair is just a bit much.

They probably just refused to have the playdate at home and asked for something more neutral, like a library or a playground. Anyway, predators thrive on that type of mentality.

The middle schoolers I know prefer to chill together at Starbucks, walk around Target as a group, or play video games at someone's house. They wouldn't be caught dead on a playground, and they'd be asked to leave a library if they tried to hold a hang-out session there (too noisy).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is starting a new school and I’m not in the mood to socialize. This is middle school so I’m fairly certain we are past the age of play dates with moms included.

Am I in the clear?

I’m happy to host and drive tweens around.

You're in the clear!

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of middle schoolers at my playground. They don’t use the playground equipment, of course; instead, they gather in the back and hang out in groups. Many of them also meet at the library to work on school projects. Other popular spots seem to be Target and the mall. As for Starbucks, I’ve never actually seen them there, but I trust you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Middle school typically includes children ages 11 to 14, which is also an age range associated with an increased risk of sexual abuse.
You may find parents who are comfortable letting their children have unsupervised playdates at another family’s home. However, many parents will not.

Middle schoolers these days are allergic to the term "playdate" . . .

[Anonymous]

The fact that someone made the logical leap from a parent not wanting to socialize with other parents to encouraging sexual predators . . .

OP it's fine to socialize with whoever you want, you won't be damaging your child at this age!

[Anonymous]

I got to know my kids parents well and did socialize with them for my lower school kid. My middle school kid, I exchange pleasantries and superficial interactions with the parents but that's about it. They are all very nice but I definitely know my younger kids friends parents much better than the older one. I don't think you need to worry about it, OP!

[Anonymous]

Completely optional

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is starting a new school and I’m not in the mood to socialize. This is middle school so I’m fairly certain we are past the age of play dates with moms included.

Am I in the clear?

I’m happy to host and drive tweens around.

My kid's starting 3rd grade and I feel the same. But between two kids and a recent move, this is our 4th new school we've had to adjust/get used to. It gets exhausting.