[littlerayofsun]

My DS 5 yr old has been invited for the first time to a little class mates house after school tomorrow. I barely know the mum and have only spoken a handful of times since school started in February. I assumed I would be going together with my 2 youngest.

I just received a text saying she would pick up and drop off my DS. I nearly fell over! I am just not going to allow that to happen but am unsure of how to word it without offending. Not only that my DS hates drop offs, and would have no idea who the mum is.

Thanks

[JustBeige]

My DS 5 yr old has been invited for the first time to a little class mates house after school tomorrow. I barely know the mum and have only spoken a handful of times since school started in February. I assumed I would be going together with my 2 youngest.

I just received a text saying she would pick up and drop off my DS. I nearly fell over! I am just not going to allow that to happen but am unsure of how to word it without offending. Not only that my DS hates drop offs, and would have no idea who the mum is.

Thanks

I would ring her and say "Im so sorry, but I misunderstood about the playdate as this is DS's first. He freaks out if I am not around, so maybe we can go to a park together so the boys can play?"

That way you can take your other kids and you can get to know this lady and so can your DS.

Just take lots of shares food seeing you are rearranging it all.

If she isnt accomodating then dont worry, thats her choice. If your DS knows about it, then take him to the park anyway.

[*mylittleprince*]

I would tell a little white lie that he feels uncomfortable without you around until he's got to know the parent or something like that. I would want to know or at least spend some time at someone's house before my child went there.

[T2Mum]

I think that lots of kids that age are comfortable with drop-off play dates (even if they don't know the Mum), particularly if they are not the eldest child in the family. I don't find it that unusual that the Mum assumed it would be drop-off.

The Mum might be totally understanding if you just give her a call and explain that your little one doesn't like drop-offs with someone where he doesn't know the family. I'm sure between the two of you it is possible to work something out.

[Rach42]

I wouldn't let my 8 year old go to a play date on his own if I didn't know the mum let alone my 5 year old.

As you said your DS hates drop offs you can just explain that to the other mum and suggest either you stay or all go to a park.

[Hooray Henry]

I wouldn't be comfortable either and would be suggesting a park trip instead.

[bark]

Giver a call and talk a bout i. I wouldn't text back a straight no way.

[wombat]

I would just call her and explain to her that you would rather be there for the first few playdates. My Dd is 10 - yes 10 - and I still go along to her playdates if I don't know the people. No-one has ever been anything but understanding (at least to my face) when I mention that we don't leave her with people we don't know. In fact you will probably find that most people feel this way, and are kind of relieved when you tell them, because we are all worried we are the only ones that are like this!!

[julzely]

Make sure you mention your two younger kids would be coming too. It might be a bit of a shock if she felt that it was just one child and his mum coming over to have a family of 4 turn up. Not so much of an issue if you are just going to the park.

[littlerayofsun]

Thanks everyone. I did take the honest approach and explained that my DS wouldn't like to be picked up by someone other than me and offered to bring him over myself.

She then invited me to stay for coffee with my littlies so it has all worked out. Thanks for the moral support!