“Hey, would Ava like to come over for a playdate?” the other mom inquired.
“Sure! That sounds wonderful,” I replied.
“Make sure she brings her swimsuit,” she added.
Wait, what? A swimsuit? Ava was just 7, and the thought of her swimming at a stranger’s house without me there made my stomach drop. I barely knew this woman. Sure, we exchanged pleasantries during school pickup, but that was the extent of our relationship. She was stylish and often seen scrolling through her phone while waiting, but that was it. An uneasy feeling settled in. My daughter had only been swimming for a couple of years and hadn’t been in the water since the summer before. Before I fully processed my discomfort, we were heading to her house.
Maybe I could sneak a peek from the bushes, I thought. But as we pulled into the driveway, I decided against it. No way was I leaving my daughter there, at least not for the first playdate. So, I “dropped off” Ava—and stayed put. Sorry if that seemed impolite, but I just couldn’t shake my unease.
This experience highlighted how daunting it can be to entrust your child to someone else. The idea of letting a near-stranger care for Ava was frightening. Thankfully, most playdates go smoothly, but sometimes unexpected situations arise. Here are a few of the more memorable mishaps my daughter has experienced:
The Poop Predicament
I get that predicting kids’ bathroom needs is tricky, but come on! One time, a little girl invited over announced she needed to go, but then explained her mom was worried about being late to the playdate. Thankfully, I wasn’t the one to deal with it—Ava’s mom, Lisa, took on that challenge. It turned into a 20-minute ordeal, and let’s just say the result was astonishing for a child that size.
Home Improvement Babysitting
When Ava was 7, we picked her up from a playdate, and she mentioned feeling a bit scared. Naturally, we wanted to know why. It turned out that the host’s mom and her boyfriend had decided to leave Ava and the kids at home while they made a quick trip to Home Depot. Seriously?! Unsurprisingly, Ava never returned to that house for another playdate.
Honesty is Key
One day, an impromptu playdate emerged right at pickup, and Ava was going to ride home with her friend. I had never met this mom before; she always seemed to be the one at every school function with a clipboard in hand. I thought, “She’s involved; she must be responsible.” When I mentioned needing to grab Ava’s booster seat from another parking lot, she waved it off, saying they had an extra. I didn’t get any calls, but when Ava came home, she told me they hadn’t used a booster at all.
The Dress Dilemma
“Hey, girls,” I said to Ava and her little friend. “Want to go outside to play?” “Sure,” replied the friend, “but I need to wear Ava’s clothes since this dress cost $95.” First off, why send your kid in pricey clothes if you’re worried about them getting dirty? Secondly, she had to be prompted to say that. I offered her some old clothes, but let’s just say I was tempted to push her into a puddle—just kidding… sort of.
It’s Too Early
When Ava was in preschool, her mom took her to a morning playdate. Upon arrival, the host offered Lisa a beer. “But it’s only 10 a.m.,” Lisa replied, clearly taken aback. This mom didn’t seem to grasp the gravity of the situation, and I know from experience that if someone struggles with addiction, maybe they shouldn’t be hosting playdates.
Where Did the Dolls Go?
After a marathon playdate when Ava was 6, all of her dolls went missing. Lisa and Ava searched high and low, suspecting that the little girl who had just left might have taken them. It seemed impossible for her to have sneaked them out unnoticed. A day later, we discovered all ten Barbies hidden behind a chair in Ava’s room—minus their heads. That little girl never played at our house again.
In summary, while most playdates are enjoyable and uneventful, the occasional mishap can turn them into memorable—or even nightmare—experiences. Ensuring your child is safe and comfortable during these interactions is key. For more information on navigating parenthood and the many challenges it presents, check out this article on home insemination kits and consult CDC resources on pregnancy for further support.