Playdates while (trying to) work from home

[Anonymous]

There is no school tomorrow and since I work from home and have some fliexibility to finish work at night if I dont get it done during the day, I am going to be watching DD and 2 of her friends (age 6). But I am going to try to work, so aside from keeping them alive and relatively safe, I dont plan on engaging with them much. TV will be used as needed and I am not planning on monitoring the arts and crafts and other messy projects (dont personalyl care about the mess). As a parent dropping your kid off by me, does this sound ok? Should I explain this to the parents?

[Anonymous]

I would explain to the parents that you have work to do, so you'll be putting on a movie, and you'll of course be available for issues and nearby, but won't be playing with them (I'm sure they will be totally fine with that, I would. I don't play with my kids during play dates. Maybe get some old puzzles or board games out as backup?

[Anonymous]

No need to explain or mention anything. At this age, it is expected that you disengage and let the kids entertain each other. They will go to you as needed, such as so and so is doing this and she isn't supposed to or, we are hungry.

[Anonymous]

As a parent I wouldn't think this is a big deal - I'd be more than fine w/ you being fairly hands off.

I wouldn't want my kid to spend the whole day in front of the tv though, so I'd probably hope that maybe they get to see a movie (which gives you a good long block of time) but then do other stuff for the rest of the day.

[Anonymous]

You can't work and babysit at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Is there a reason you need to be the one to host a 3 kid playdate when you are supposed to be working? I mean this in a non-snarky way. I don't know what you do, but if I were expected to WORK I wouldn't feel comfortable hosting 2 other kids for a whole day.

If it were just my kid I would be fine (given the age) and maybe one other kid, but not 3 kids total.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can't work and babysit at the same time.

NP here. Not sure why so many on DCUM insist that this is true. People do it all the time.

[Anonymous]

I would not do this if I actually HAD to be working. Because I find I cannot work with kids in my care. I work from home, my husband works from home, and neither of us EVER do this. It's always been a fail.

Unless it's just one of my kids (the 7 year old) who is perfectly capable of entertaining herself. Even with just her sister (the 3.5 year old) I can't maintain sufficient uninterrupted focus to get real work done.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a perfectly acceptable way for three 6 year Olds to spend a day off school!

[Anonymous]

I totally get where OP is coming from. I do not have a kid who enjoys entertaining himself. So I can't get ANY work done if he's home. But two of his friends would provide plenty of entertainment for the three of them. I doubt they'll watch tv much. They'll probably play and run around like kids. Don't see the big deal here.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't expect you to play with three six-year olds. It would be nice if they didn't just watch TV all day, but otherwise, I'd expect them to entertain themselves. Maybe have some ideas--pillow forts, or board games, or just put out the arts and crafts box and let them have at it.

[Anonymous]

OP again

I think the parents are just happy to have free childcare (and its now DD and 3 of her friends).

I have flexibility to work later if necessary that they dont have and they take care of my kids plenty of other times, so I dont mind it, even if I dont get much work done, but I just want to be clear about how much I plan to be involved. When they have taken my kids, its usually not while they are trying to work and often more structured activities. But if the kids want to turn on a show, I am not going to be monitoring how long its on or who is allowed to wear nail polish and who isnt. I also am not ashamed to bribe with treats when and if necessary.

Hopefully, they will entertain each other downstairs without too much drama while I accomplish something upstairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again

I think the parents are just happy to have free childcare (and its now DD and 3 of her friends).

I have flexibility to work later if necessary that they dont have and they take care of my kids plenty of other times, so I dont mind it, even if I dont get much work done, but I just want to be clear about how much I plan to be involved. When they have taken my kids, its usually not while they are trying to work and often more structured activities. But if the kids want to turn on a show, I am not going to be monitoring how long its on or who is allowed to wear nail polish and who isnt. I also am not ashamed to bribe with treats when and if necessary.

Hopefully, they will entertain each other downstairs without too much drama while I accomplish something upstairs.

Oagain

I am prepared with lots of arts & crafts, beads, friendship bracelets, rainbow loom, board games, a new puzzle, and books, in addition to everything else in our playroom. So I am not setting them up to watch TV all day, I am just not going to fight it if the situation arises.

[Anonymous]

It's illegal to work from home and have no childcare.

I would also be pissed that maybe you weren't paying attention if my kid got hurt or injured.

Stop trying to cheat the system and your children take the day off or hire childcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's illegal to work from home and have no childcare.

I would also be pissed that maybe you weren't paying attention if my kid got hurt or injured.

Stop trying to cheat the system and your children take the day off or hire childcare.

Illegal? What law makes it illegal?