First Play Date Rules

I should’ve known my daughter was a rule follower when she had her first play date.

We had just moved to a new neighborhood and there was a little boy her age next door. Soon, my three-year old daughter invited him over for a play date. I have to admit I was more excited than she was. We’d had two major moves in the past two years and she hadn’t made many friends so this was a big day.

The little boy showed up for the play date and was ready for fun. He seemed like an old hand at this. My daughter said “Just a minute,” and ran off. I’m used to this and didn’t think anything of it until she came back with a pad of paper and pen and asked that I write down the rules for the play date.

What??

I’ve since learned that there are parents out there who do have set play date rules and maybe that’s a good thing. But this was our first one so I just said “Be nice.”  That sounded simple enough for any three-year old to comprehend and comply with, right?

Not my kid. I had to write it down on her pad of paper along with what rooms they could go in, and what time the play date would end.

The play date in fact ended early when all she wanted to do was read books to her new friend. And at that time she was very deep into a princess stage. Imagine it – a three-year old boy sitting quietly while a little girl reads all about Ariel’s latest antics to him. That child had a patient temperament that exceeded his years, but come on. I love her more than life and I couldn’t bear one more princess story.

Happily, their friendship survived that awkward first play date and they hang out all the time now. They’re both seven years-old and have learned how to accept each other as they are. He tries to teach her how to pop wheelies on her bike and she tells him all about Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. It works for them.

What’s your experience been with play dates?