Playdate Etiquette -- Who hosts?

[Anonymous]

DS was invited to a playdate with a new student at school. We know very little about the parents and the kid. Would it be reasonable to suggest that the first playdate be at our house? FWIW, kids are in 2nd grade.

[Anonymous]

Why would your house be better than their house? Bathe extended the invitation.

[Anonymous]

OP are you asking if you can switch the venue to your house? Or is the play date not yet set up?

[Anonymous]

Offer to meet in a public place for the first one or say you'd prefer to be there.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the parents are inviting your kid over to their place because they're new to the school and know very little about you and your kid.

Agree that you should suggest a public place so you can all meet each other, or suck it up and let your kid go over there without being difficult. The new kid is trying to make friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP are you asking if you can switch the venue to your house? Or is the play date not yet set up?

Playdate is not yet set up. Other parent just asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you asking if you can switch the venue to your house? Or is the play date not yet set up?

Playdate is not yet set up. Other parent just asked.

Other parent asked; that is, invited. So the venue is their house. If that makes you uncomfortable, suggest public place, but you can't just move it to your house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you asking if you can switch the venue to your house? Or is the play date not yet set up?

Playdate is not yet set up. Other parent just asked.

Other parent asked; that is, invited. So the venue is their house. If that makes you uncomfortable, suggest public place, but you can't just move it to your house.

+1
That would be rude. If they JUST moved, you might say "thanks for the invitation. Larlo is excited! If it's easier for you we are more than happy to host. Otherwise, what day/time works for me to bring him over?" You can linger for a few minutes when you drop him off if that makes you more comfortable.

[Anonymous]

The way I read it, the other parents are just interested in getting the kids together. I would offer up to host it, and if they seem to want it at their house, ask if you can stay the first 15 min or so to chat and get to know them. I have five kids and have done tons of play dates. Some parents can't wait to drop off their kids and other (usually parents of older kids or onlies) are hesitant to do so. My comfort level with drop offs has certainly become less neurotic between my first and fifth just out of necessity! You should never drop your kid somewhere you don't feel totally comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you asking if you can switch the venue to your house? Or is the play date not yet set up?

Playdate is not yet set up. Other parent just asked.

Other parent asked; that is, invited. So the venue is their house. If that makes you uncomfortable, suggest public place, but you can't just move it to your house.

+1
That would be rude. If they JUST moved, you might say "thanks for the invitation. Larlo is excited! If it's easier for you we are more than happy to host. Otherwise, what day/time works for me to bring him over?" You can linger for a few minutes when you drop him off if that makes you more comfortable.

When it comes to my kids, etiquette does not trump my comfort level ever. I think this is terrible advice. Don't drop your kid somewhere just because you feel it's rude not to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you asking if you can switch the venue to your house? Or is the play date not yet set up?

Playdate is not yet set up. Other parent just asked.

Other parent asked; that is, invited. So the venue is their house. If that makes you uncomfortable, suggest public place, but you can't just move it to your house.

+1
That would be rude. If they JUST moved, you might say "thanks for the invitation. Larlo is excited! If it's easier for you we are more than happy to host. Otherwise, what day/time works for me to bring him over?" You can linger for a few minutes when you drop him off if that makes you more comfortable.

When it comes to my kids, etiquette does not trump my comfort level ever. I think this is terrible advice. Don't drop your kid somewhere just because you feel it's rude not to.

Or, better, if you are not comfortable, then do not demand they drop their kid off and only stay a few minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you asking if you can switch the venue to your house? Or is the play date not yet set up?

Playdate is not yet set up. Other parent just asked.

Other parent asked; that is, invited. So the venue is their house. If that makes you uncomfortable, suggest public place, but you can't just move it to your house.

+1
That would be rude. If they JUST moved, you might say "thanks for the invitation. Larlo is excited! If it's easier for you we are more than happy to host. Otherwise, what day/time works for me to bring him over?" You can linger for a few minutes when you drop him off if that makes you more comfortable.

When it comes to my kids, etiquette does not trump my comfort level ever. I think this is terrible advice. Don't drop your kid somewhere just because you feel it's rude not to.

Right, but perhaps the other paren is feeling the same way--that they don't really know this family so they are not comfortable dropping off. So who wins?
I would say do a park, but also, second grade is a good time to let go a little bit. Drop off, hang out for a few, and go from there,

[Anonymous]

Just respond that you would like to get together, but how about we meet up at a park for the first play date so that we can all get to know each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you asking if you can switch the venue to your house? Or is the play date not yet set up?

Playdate is not yet set up. Other parent just asked.

Other parent asked; that is, invited. So the venue is their house. If that makes you uncomfortable, suggest public place, but you can't just move it to your house.

Of course you can. Well I mean you can offer. Most parents I know would jump on it

[Anonymous]

Same experience here. Usually when parents suggest playdates they are not necessarily specifying a venue. For us it comes down to the days and times that match up. Most parents are happy to drop their kid off.
Mine has some anxiety issues so I prefer to host.