Anonymous
08/23/2025 23:09
Subject: Re:If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
If you make up enough excuses/say no enough times they’ll eventually stop asking. How old is your kid(s)? Mine are 10 and 8. I feel similarly to you but I tried to force myself to be more social and make more social plans for my kids for years and now I feel like it’s even harder to just say no because in the past we’ve been very open to play dates. Nothing changed except that I’m finally exhausted enough by socializing that I just wish we didn’t do it most of the time.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 22:33
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
The other thing to consider is are you burnt out? You said you never want you kid to have a play date. Wonder if that is best for your kids in the long run. Look into what you can do to take care of yourself. Hopefully with time you can address that and be ready for your kids to have friendships outside of your home.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 22:27
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
Anonymous wrote:The real reason? That I need downtime. I've got a feeling you wouldn't be happy with that, because it's almost taboo in this world to be an introvert who wants peace and quiet and not too much work to do.
If you said that to me I would find it totally relatable and reasonable.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 22:18
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
The real reason is kind. Just let them know that. Unkind would be that you think your kid is too good for their kid, or something like that. The real reason is also something more people than you think can understand—even if we aren’t introverts, most of us have a friend or family member who is one.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 22:14
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
OP your reason is not unkind at all, it's highly relatable. I would just say that -- "We're not doing playdates right now to keep things simple and reduce stress. I figure the kids get plenty of playtime at school and activities."
I would be THRILLED to hear this from another parent. It would be freeing.
I would be THRILLED to hear this from another parent. It would be freeing.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 22:07
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
We don’t do playdates for similar reasons. My kids play together and it’s just not worth the stress to do one with another kid.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 22:06
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
Anonymous wrote:The real reason? That I need downtime. I've got a feeling you wouldn't be happy with that, because it's almost taboo in this world to be an introvert who wants peace and quiet and not too much work to do.
I actually think that’s fine.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 22:03
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
The real reason? That I need downtime. I've got a feeling you wouldn't be happy with that, because it's almost taboo in this world to be an introvert who wants peace and quiet and not too much work to do.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 22:02
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
What is the actual reason? And then we can help to put it kindly.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 21:53
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
“Things are too hectic with back to school! Another time!”
“This is a really busy weekend for us so it doesn’t work!”
“Things are crazy with the holidays! We have so much travel we don’t have any free weekends!”
And on and on until they take a hint
Anonymous
08/23/2025 21:12
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
Can you say something not unkind like upset, not get along, etc.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 21:12
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
Just make up excuses. Sorry, things are crazy busy and we’ve had to take a break from play dates.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 21:10
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
Anonymous wrote:You could be honest. "Chelsea seems to get upset every time she and Lindsey play together, so I think it's best they take a break from playdates for a while."
I refer to it as "taking a break" when talking about kids friendships because they can shift so quickly and kids can go through phases that involve acting out and then get more mature or therapy that helps them and then they're a great friend. So that sets the stage that while NOW it's not a good idea it might be in the future.
What if the honest reason just isn’t kind?
Anonymous
08/23/2025 21:09
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
You could be honest. "Chelsea seems to get upset every time she and Lindsey play together, so I think it's best they take a break from playdates for a while."
I refer to it as "taking a break" when talking about kids friendships because they can shift so quickly and kids can go through phases that involve acting out and then get more mature or therapy that helps them and then they're a great friend. So that sets the stage that while NOW it's not a good idea it might be in the future.
I refer to it as "taking a break" when talking about kids friendships because they can shift so quickly and kids can go through phases that involve acting out and then get more mature or therapy that helps them and then they're a great friend. So that sets the stage that while NOW it's not a good idea it might be in the future.
Anonymous
08/23/2025 21:06
Subject: If you don’t want your kid to ever have a play date with another kid
Just ignore the repeated play date requests, say you are busy (even though it may be obvious you are not) or say the real reason why?