Playdates while (trying to) work from home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is silly. we're not talking about OP's everyday work arrangement - we're talking about a day when schools are closed and she's been nice enough to let her friends drop off their kids so they can go to work.

I've done the same thing. On the days when I'm working from home, I can split the day between the hours I actually work and the hours during which I'm doing something else. So if my daughter is home with me and I actually get four hours of work done, I book four hours to teleworking and 4 hours to leave. If my kid is the only kid there, she expects me to entertain her to a certain degree. If she has a friend over, there's a pretty good chance I'll only have to moderate the occasional spat and occasionally suggest a new activity. She's much less likely to affect my work.

geez, you people are silly.

+1 I WAH when the kids are home for no-school days and so does my supervisor and her supervisor. The kids often invite friends over or go to a friend's house (where their parents are attempting to WAH too) since kids w/ company pester their parents a lot less.

[Anonymous]

OP, your DD's friends' parents get free childcare, they don't get to dictate you how much TV the kids watch or whether you work from home or not!

[Anonymous]

Are PPs serious about needing to closely monitor 6 yos?? We let 4 yos play in the play room at parties, and every so often, one of the parents pops their head in to check, but we don't sit and watch them the whole time.

[Anonymous]

I have an arrangement like this with a neighborhood mom. We both have flexible jobs, so trade off playdates on school closing days so at least one of us can be productive. Our kids are in K, but I really can't count of getting much done when they are both here and usually take leave and/or work at night or extra on other days to make up the time (and my husband comes home early so I can put in extra hours). That said, on those days we both understand that the other is trying to get at least some work done while the kids are in eachother's care so don't raise an eyebrow at TV time or the like.

If my kindergartener had a playdate where that wasn't the understanding and I found out that they watched TV the whole time or the mom stayed holed up in her office the entire time I'd probably be a little put off, though I certainly don't expect other parents to be actively engaged the whole time.

[Anonymous]

You are way over estimating the ability of 3 6 yr old girls to play quietly and entertain themselves for hours on end.

First, terrible age for having girls play in 3's.
Second, 90 minutes to 2 hours max for a playdate at that age before the meltdowns start to occur. They girls will get tired - tired in general, tired of each other, tired of the toys, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are way over estimating the ability of 3 6 yr old girls to play quietly and entertain themselves for hours on end.

First, terrible age for having girls play in 3's.
Second, 90 minutes to 2 hours max for a playdate at that age before the meltdowns start to occur. They girls will get tired - tired in general, tired of each other, tired of the toys, etc.

Maybe that's your experience. It's definitely not mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are way over estimating the ability of 3 6 yr old girls to play quietly and entertain themselves for hours on end.

First, terrible age for having girls play in 3's.
Second, 90 minutes to 2 hours max for a playdate at that age before the meltdowns start to occur. They girls will get tired - tired in general, tired of each other, tired of the toys, etc.

Maybe that's your experience. It's definitely not mine.

LOL! Then you haven't done many playdates with 3 6 yr old girls. seriously, I have done plenty and this is exactly what happens. They are little kids and they each have different personalities and some kids really find a few hours of a playdate draining. The fights start, the whining, the complaining, and then you as the parent have to basically insert yourself into the playdate. I found that it was end of 2nd grade and 3rd grade where girls that age could play for more than 2 hours per playdate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It violates the terms of my telework agreement to work and do childcare at the same time. So I don't do that.

I don't know what your agreement says, but I hope you will honor it.

This is now off topic, but I get the formal agreement for normal days. But you can't EVER work when you have the kids? Like even checking emails when you are watching them in the tub? If not I guess that is a good way to stop WAH at 5 sharp or whatever. Usually when you can telework you put in far, far more hours, to the employers benefit.

No. I am not hourly. I sometimes work a longer day, and I certainly just do the work even with the kid around when going above and beyond. Whatever. I can't call it teleworking if I am also supervising a child. I am a professional, and I behave like one. Yes I check mail, when needed.

And regarding people working more than they put in for... I believe a recent audit of patent and trade may be suggesting otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are way over estimating the ability of 3 6 yr old girls to play quietly and entertain themselves for hours on end.

First, terrible age for having girls play in 3's.
Second, 90 minutes to 2 hours max for a playdate at that age before the meltdowns start to occur. They girls will get tired - tired in general, tired of each other, tired of the toys, etc.

Maybe that's your experience. It's definitely not mine.

LOL! Then you haven't done many playdates with 3 6 yr old girls. seriously, I have done plenty and this is exactly what happens. They are little kids and they each have different personalities and some kids really find a few hours of a playdate draining. The fights start, the whining, the complaining, and then you as the parent have to basically insert yourself into the playdate. I found that it was end of 2nd grade and 3rd grade where girls that age could play for more than 2 hours per playdate

My 6YO DD frequently has playdates with two other girls or with a girl and a boy or two boys. We have only run into problems with one specific child, whom we no longer invite over because she is bossy and encourages the others to do dangerous things like jump out of windows. Other than that, my DD frequently has all-day playdates where they spend hours building cities out of Legos and blocks, playing school, playing "shop," and making crafts--all with very little supervision. It can definitely be done but depends on the kids' personalities and how well they get along and how similar their interests are.

[Anonymous]

Please don't do this, teleworking is meant to alleviate commutes not childcare obligations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please don't do this, teleworking is meant to alleviate commutes not childcare obligations.

It's ONE day!!!!!

[Anonymous]

OP, I would be grateful that you offered to take my child, even if they sat in front if the TV all day!

[Anonymous]

Hey Op - I'd be thrilled to have my kid spend part of the day w/ yours. I expect you to make sure they are safe, fed, not killing each other, and hopefully not watching 8 hours of tv. But I also would not want or expect you to be standing over them every minute - they absolutely should be able to amuse themselves some. Isn't that the point of and primary benefit for them of a playdate?!

As for work, it's none of my business how you structure your work, what your arrangement with your employers is, etc... If this works for you great - maybe you'll offer to do it again!!!

[Anonymous]

Calm down, people! It depends on OP's workplace regulations, her supervisors' interpretation of same, what her work entails, what these kids' personalities are and what OP personally can handle! Too many variables to judge!

I sometimes work during playdates, since I set up my laptop in the middle of our open floor plan and can hear everything, even when they whisper upstairs. Benefits of a small house! My husband cannot because he's holed up in his study and gets so focused he loses track of everything else. Know yourself, and be responsible.

[Anonymous]

The girls are here - 4 of them - and in DD's room, helping her pick out clothes. I am working at the dining room table, so totally accessible, but not in the way. Other than DD letting them in, I have yet to hear anything.

I already set up morning snacks and will have a pizza delivered for lunch, so minimal effort on my part. DD knows how to get drinks and plates.

I'll keep you posted. (Honestly, I probably waste more time on DCUM than watching these kids )