Playdates

[Anonymous]

Are playdates really that necessary? What are its pros and cons? Why some parents encourage it while others don't?

[Anonymous]

Remember when you were a kid and said I want to go see if X wants to play, and they just lived a few houses down the street? Well most kids these days don't have friends living close to them, especially ones from school. This is how they get to see if Sue or Bobby want to play with them for a little while after school one day. You set up a playdate.

The only thing to watch is that you aren't always having them at one specific person's house (like always yours, mix it up a bit) and that if someone is dropping off a kid, that both parties mix it up on who gets a break from the kids. No nanny wants to constantly have other kids dropped off at their charges house for playdates for hours on end on a regular basis, especially if they have other kids they watch. This does not equal free babysitting. So now and then if Marvin's mom has the kids over to her house, and you have time to play with your younger charge alone for a while instead of always having 3+ kids, that is nice.

Remember, just keep it as equal as possible with who's house and if dropping off compared to staying. Don't assume that you have to entertain the other nanny/mom if they stay either. I like to bring a book with me or other work, so I can use my time to my advantage, but I don't mind a little bit of conversation either.

[Anonymous]

I think playmates with age appropriate play dates are very important. I would never employ a nanny who objected to hosting or going to play dates for preschoolers and older kids. There are some nannies who are all over play dates when the kids are babies and the playmates are about connecting to the nanny's friends. These are usually the types that balk at play dates once the kids are old enough to choose their own friends (not whatever age kid happens to be the nanny's friend's charge).