How to politely ask guests not to stay too long

[Anonymous]

I don't get what you don't get about this.

"Today's not a good day for a play date."

"We had it here the last three times; can you host this one?"

"We'd love to see you today from 3-5. Then, I need to get going on dinner."

[Anonymous]

PPs are being harsh, but this really is one instance where you just have to speak up. I always start to get ready to leave a play date after 2-2.5 hours worried about overstaying our welcome. One of my mom friends finally asked me why I was always rushing off even when I said we had no plans. Turns out she expects play dates to last 3-4 hours. Different people just have different expectations. I couldn’t care less unless we actually have plans, so I usually just ask new mom friends now.

[Anonymous]

For play dates with kids that young it’s super easy to blame it on the kid!

“We’d love to see you from 10-noon. Larlo needs a little time to wind down before nap.”

If while they’re at the play date it’s 12:05 and they’ve made no move to leave, you say:

“It was so nice to have you guys over, let’s do this again soon!” And you start cleaning up. “We need to get started with lunch and a little quiet time before naps.” Smile and that’s it. Or if it’s an afternoon play date, you have to start dinner at 5pm (invite the at 3pm.)

[Anonymous]

I understand, OP. I’m also like this and it stinks. Need to just nicely let people know your time limits.

[Anonymous]

I once had someone hosting excuse themselves to the kitchen and start serving their kid food (right at the 2 hr mark) It was pretty clear the playdate was over.