FamilyMy “Make me a playdate!” chart is available for download on Slideshare! This little puppy has short-circuited more arguments about playdates…I love it so.
"Make me a playdate!" chart by The Mommy Blog
Picking my kids up from school every day is like a scene from Groundhog Day. Inevitably one or both of my grade-schoolers will ask for a playdate with a friend. Right then. With the child in question standing next to them, gazing up at me with shining eyes. For the love of little green apples, people, WE HAVE GONE OVER THIS.
There are rules about asking. There are protocols for “playdates” that we have put in place to clearly distinguish them from “abductions.”1. I don’t care how much your friend approves of your plan; I must hear it from a grownup, preferably the one responsible for him today. See my definition for Opposable Thumbs-Up: (n.) When one parent laughs and another scowls at funny/inappropriate behavior. Can also be applied to the divide-and-conquer method of gaining parental permission (e.g., To child: “Sweetheart, we do not remove our own or anyone else’s pants in public.” To spouse: “Stop laughing.”).
2. Never ask for a playdate in front of the other child. It puts me on the spot and makes it hard to say no, which in turn leads me to exact revenge by saying no to something ridiculous later in the day.
3. Never show up at the other child’s house, call me from there, and say, “Can I stay for a playdate? Johnny’s mom says it’s ok.” I know for a fact that Johnny’s mom could not say no to you on her doorstep, and is right now gritting her teeth and wondering how she will exact her revenge.
In an effort to avoid awkward and disappointing situations, we’ve developed a “Make Me a Playdate!” Chart. The basic principles are briefly stated at the top, and there are sections on the page for each child’s friends and phone numbers. The kids are welcome to call IN ADVANCE to schedule a playdate with anyone on the list. New friend? Add to the list. I need to know names and numbers. Parents’ names a bonus. For extra convenience, both Mom and Dad’s numbers and addresses are listed at the bottom in case the other parent wants to know who we are.
Remember how Bill Murray finally breaks the cycle of repetitive days in Groundhog Day? He is allowed to wake up on February 3 when he finally learns how to relate to people around him, especially to the woman he loves. When my children learn to ask for a playdate at least one day in advance and get the other parent to agree, they will find that a new day has dawned, one on which I am more than ecstatic to say yes to a playdate.
Note: For some reason the font didn’t carry over, so the exclamation point is on a second line. Just make the font smaller in Power Point and you’ll be fine!
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GeekySpeaky: Submit Your Site!
10.13.09 at 05:37 AM |
Hi! am opening my own online store, www.kuna.co.za on the 1st of November,
KuNa is a unique on-line boutique, offering a specialized selection quirky and beautiful girls clothing ages 2-10 years. We have a special focus on quality products that aren’t readily available in department stores, all made and hand crafted with love in South Africa
AND between now and the 1st of November, I’m giving away R50.00 vouchers , just for leaving your e-mail address on the site!
thanks and happy shopping!
10.13.09 at 02:38 PM |
Thanks for sharing this! What a great idea!
10.13.09 at 05:55 PM |
Nice blog continuing the good work.
10.14.09 at 04:04 PM |
Great idea!
10.15.09 at 03:07 AM |
That’s a very appropriate legislature for playdate arrangements :)
You’ve covered just about all grounds I think- just need the kids to pay it some attention and respect now in due time, which might not be so easy for you or I!
10.15.09 at 06:42 AM |
Can you make a chart of rules for husbands, too?
This makes me think of my own mom, and how it would drive her crazy that I"d invite friends over right in front of her. As a mother myself now, I understand the uncomfortable position that I must have put her in.
My almost five year-old daughter is “feeling out” the playdate thing with her classmates. One boy invited her over to spend the night! Another little girl invites herself over to my house every time I see her at school.
“Ask your mom!” I tell her.
10.16.09 at 12:14 PM |
Oh my god you’re a genius. I can’t wait to get home and download this. Rules for playdates. Hell yes!
10.16.09 at 05:50 PM |
What a great concept! Thanks for posting!
http://www.GgGetups.com
10.19.09 at 04:01 PM |
You couldn’t have come up with this say…10 years ago? I would have loved you much more then and not been quite so jealous of those moms who get to enjoy sane playdate scheduling now.
Just this last weekend I got one of those calls from my teenage daughter’s friend’s mother. It went like this:
“So I hear the girls have made some plans. Do you know what they decided to do?”
“Not really. I know I am supposed to drive them to the haunted house park and you’re supposed to pick them up. I’ve also been notified that I have to be there physically because the other parents require an adult there.”
“Do you know where the park is?”
“No, they didn’t tell me that.”
“Me either, I can call you once we get there to let you know the location.”
“By the way, my name is Sharon.”
“I’m Melissa.”
THIS is what playdates for teens has become. Not only did we not have a tool to help organize and offset the uncomfortableness, but we continue to suck at the organized playdate thingy well into our kid’s teenage years.
Kudos to you!
11.23.09 at 10:59 PM |
Great idea :) Thanks for sharing this. Cheers :) Please keep it up.
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