toypup wrote:
"bizby40" wrote in message
...

"toypup" wrote in message
. ..
I wonder if most parents of 4 yo these days drop off their kids on
playdates when they don't really know the other family? I guess I
could invite the dad (I never see the mom), but I really want it to
just be a playdate. That's all I have energy for ATM, lol.

I wouldn't have left my child with a family I didn't know at that
age. Kindergarten seems to make a world of difference.

Ah, thanks. Personally, I wouldn't leave DS with anyone I didn't
know, either. I just don't know what the rest of the world does. I'm sure
I could ask and they could say no, but I'd really like them
to say yes, only because DS loves this friend so much. They're
really cute together. I guess we could work on a time when we could
all meet up. It would have to be the families meeting, since I admit
to not being comfortable only asking the dad and having me be the
only one home with the kids to meet him.
So, is the common age for playdates with stranger's kid (met only in
passing, but kids know each other) here 5 yo? That's not very far
away. I'm not sure how comfy I'd be, but I'm sure that could change
when I get there.

DS has been wanting to call this friend. It's fine with me, if it's
okay with them. What do you all think of 4 yo's calling each other? It's
another one of those things where it wouldn't hurt to ask, but I
like testing the waters of public opinion first. Issues that I don't
think about sometimes pop up that way.

My son turned 4 in January and pre-school started in February so we have had
that situation all year when he has been invited on playdates. For the first
visit in each other's homes the parent has always stayed and socialised with
the other parent. After that, if everyone is happy and the kids get on well,
we go to solo playdates.

As a bonus one of the mothers is really great and we get on like a house on
fire so in that case the playdates have become primarily for the adults!

I wouldn't leave a young child with another adult unless I'd spent some time
in their company and I expect other parents to 'evaluate' me in the same
way.

In your situation could you have the first playdate at a park or somewhere
that involves less work than your own home? I, too, would be a little
uncomfortable having a father who I didn't already have a family-friend
relationship with come to my house when my older children (teens) or my
husband wasn't home.

As for the phone calls, I think that would be sweet but you might want to
start off with a few rules first so they don't become phone addicts!

Tai