Force kids to play with family friends?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely if you mean at gatherings when the families come together. I’m assuming you mean that and not random play dates that you arrange for the kids?

Trying to do a family outing like movies or farm to hang out. It would be just my family and other family. My kids don’t want to go. They also don’t want to just hang out with the one other family.

So then the answer depends on how frequently you are doing this. Find a frequency that works for you and your kids - but a flat out permanent no from them isn’t acceptable.

OP here. They seem ok if it is a party or group but don’t seem to want to give up a potential hang out with friends time slot to hang out with family friends. This weekend is a long weekend and friend wanted to get together. My kids would rather make plans with their own friends.

Part of being a family means that no one gets everything they want but everyone gets a bit of what they want. You’re allowed to be with your friends. Make the kids go. You don’t love all the parents of your kids’ friends but you make nice at the soccer games and dance recitals or whatever. Everyone needs to give a little.

[Anonymous]

I still have memories of going to my parents’ friends’ house with same-age kids who literally *went to their room* and shut the door to read books alone. My sibling and I awkwardly sat with the adults in the living room like it wasn’t the rudest thing a host could do.

[Anonymous]

Op here. My kids agreed to hang out with the family friends. They are also going to the dentist. I also let them each make plans of their choice with friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. My kids agreed to hang out with the family friends. They are also going to the dentist. I also let them each make plans of their choice with friends.

Weird that you equates hanging out with kids the same age to going to the dentist.