Every parent of a child at the playdate age understands that not every friend will be a favorite. During these social gatherings, other kids can become overly bossy, annoyingly curious, or just too loud. From my observations, most children prefer to avoid adults unless you’re offering them enticing treats like popsicles or water balloons. This little arrangement tends to work well as long as you’re vigilant enough to ensure they aren’t attempting to give your pet a bath or engaging in some other form of mischief.
I had just settled into our summer routine when my son’s buddy, Alex, came over. I had informed my son that this playdate would only last two hours due to my daughter’s soccer game. However, just 15 minutes before the end, Alex approached me asking, “Can I come with you to soccer?”
“Oh, not today, honey. We’re bringing one of my daughter’s friends, and we don’t have enough room.” My daughter, ever the instigator, casually pointed out that there actually was one spot available. After that, the pleading began. I tried to stay firm, but Alex was one of the more tolerable kids. Why not earn some good karma early in the summer?
As we piled into the car, what unfolded felt like a chaotic round of Jeopardy. One moment, Alex was a polite 9-year-old settling in the backseat, and the next, he was bombarding us with rapid-fire questions.
“Are we there yet? Why are we driving so slowly? Where are we again? It looks like it might rain. Will they still play if it rains? Why is there so much traffic?”
I glanced over at my husband, whose head seemed to retract like a turtle’s. In an effort to mask the noise, I turned up the music.
After dropping the girls off for their warm-up, I heard Alex again, “Why are we driving away?”
I took a deep breath and replied, “The girls need to be there early. We’re going to grab a bite before the game.” No sooner did the words leave my mouth than I was hit with a barrage of questions.
“Where are we eating? Can we go to Pizza Ranch? Why aren’t we going there? I wanted to go to Pizza Ranch! Is the place we’re going nice? What’s the name of this place? Can I order now? I know what I want. If I get wings, how many will I get? Do you think the blue cheese comes on the side? How long does it usually take for food to arrive? I usually eat at 5:30. This is too late for me. Are we going to miss the soccer game? When do you think the food will get here? Do you think I could sleep over tonight?”
After a few too many sips of my drink, I noticed my husband had quietly slipped under the table, where he remained, perhaps seeking solace. I stared into my empty glass, contemplating the chaos.
On our drive back after the game, I couldn’t help but realize that there might be families out there who have hosted my son and felt similar frustration. To those parents, I sincerely apologize for any distress we may have caused—and for any hangovers.
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In summary, while playdates can often lead to overwhelming situations, they also offer opportunities to reflect on our parenting experiences and the chaos that comes with them.