“Would Ava be interested in coming over for a playdate?” the mother inquired.
“Absolutely. That sounds wonderful,” I replied.
“Make sure she brings her swimsuit,” she added.
“Wait, what? Swimsuit?” I thought. Ava was only 7, and I was far from comfortable with the idea of her swimming at someone else’s home without me present. I hardly knew this woman. Sure, she was pleasant during school pickups, but our interactions had been minimal. She was attractive, always dressed nicely, and spent her time on her iPhone while waiting for her daughter—that was the extent of my knowledge. A sense of unease began to brew in my stomach. Was it intuition or just typical parental anxiety? Either way, something felt off. Ava had only been swimming for two years and hadn’t been in the pool since last summer. Unsure of how to handle this, I found myself driving to the friend’s house before I had fully processed the situation.
Maybe I should hide in the bushes, I mused. But as we pulled into the driveway, I decided against that. I would stay, at least for the first playdate—nothing was happening on my watch. So, I “dropped off” my daughter—and stayed put. I hope that wasn’t rude, but I simply wasn’t ready to take that risk.
This experience highlighted how daunting it can be to entrust your child to someone else. The thought of leaving Ava in the care of someone I barely knew was, and still is, unnerving. Thankfully, most playdates proceed smoothly, but occasionally things go awry. Below are some of the more challenging playdates Ava has encountered:
The Unpredictable Bathroom Break
It can be tricky to gauge when our kids need to use the bathroom, but one incident was particularly memorable. A 3-year-old girl visiting our home announced she needed help. She explained that she had to go at home but her mother didn’t want them to be late for the playdate (very considerate, right?). Thankfully, I wasn’t the one dealing with that; Ava’s mom, Sarah, took on the challenge. After 20 minutes in the bathroom, the outcome was nothing short of shocking. Sarah joked that she didn’t think science could explain how something that size came from such a small child.
Home Depot Supervision
When Ava was 7, we picked her up from a friend’s house. She mentioned having a great time but then admitted feeling a bit scared. Naturally, we were curious. It turned out that little Emily’s mom and her boyfriend decided to head to Home Depot, leaving Emily’s older brother in charge. Needless to say, Ava never went back to Emily’s.
Trust Issues
During third grade, an unexpected playdate formed right at school pickup, and I didn’t know the other mother at all. She was one of those moms you see at every event, clipboard in hand—a bit annoying, to be honest. I thought she must be responsible since she was so involved. “My daughter’s booster seat is in the other parking lot,” I mentioned. “Let me grab it.” “No, no, it’s fine,” she insisted. “We have an extra one.” I felt reassured, passed along my contact information, and waited for the call that never came. When Ava returned home, she informed me there was no booster seat.
Fashion Faux Pas
“Hey, girls,” I said to Ava and her 4-year-old friend. “Want to go outside and play?” “Sure,” the friend replied, “but I need to wear Ava’s clothes because this dress cost $95.” First of all, don’t send your child to a playdate in something expensive if you don’t want it to get dirty. Secondly, she was definitely coached to say that. Of course, I provided her with some extra clothes and resisted the urge to push her into a puddle—just kidding, but it was tempting.
Unexpected Morning Offerings
When Ava was in preschool, her mom took her for an early playdate. Once inside, the other mother offered Sarah a beer. “But it’s 10 a.m.,” Sarah replied, clearly taken aback. The other mother didn’t seem to understand the gravity of the situation. I have to tread lightly on this topic due to my own experiences with addiction, but it’s evident that if you struggle with such issues, hosting playdates might not be the best choice.
Where Are the Dolls?
After an exceptionally long playdate when Ava was 6, all her dolls mysteriously disappeared. Sarah and Ava searched high and low, growing suspicious that the little girl who had just left might have taken them. But how could she have gotten them past us? The next day, we discovered all ten Barbies hidden behind a chair in Ava’s room, their heads severed off. We never saw that little girl again.
In conclusion, while most playdates are enjoyable and harmless, it’s essential to be vigilant and trust your instincts. The responsibility of leaving your child with someone else can be daunting, but with a bit of caution and awareness, most playdates can be a positive experience.
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Summary
Managing playdates can be a rollercoaster of experiences, from humorous bathroom escapades to unsettling supervision scenarios. It’s crucial to remain vigilant and trust your instincts when it comes to your child’s safety and well-being during these social interactions.
Keyphrase: playdates gone wrong
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