Kindergarten moms- play dates?

[mrsg123]

Dd started kindergarten in the fall. I have hosted two of the kids for play dates at our house. No invites have been extended in return. What is the norm here? Her preschool play dates were mostly at the park after school.

[ECB]

I feel like playdates aren't necessarily a "tit for tat" thing. I DO try to reciprocate, but it's not always possible. This is why I would never do a "babysitting swap" that I've heard some people do.

One thing I've really come to learn about a LOT of people - they either don't want to host stuff, or don't think about hosting, or are just SO busy, they don't have time.

For the most part, I try not to let it bug me and if I want to host anything - playdate or otherwise- I do it because *I* want to do it.

[hocus2]

Normal. I am a big play date person. In some families we take turns, sometimes we always host, sometimes we always go to the other family.

We're entering the holiday season and people are really tied up with family plans so play dates tend to ebb a bit. (Of course we have 3 birthday parties during December because we're not busy enough)

[imojoebunny]

Almost all play dates are at our house. I don't work, but most parents around here either work or have more kids than I do. People invite the kids on weekends, but that is when the kids see their dad and they have ice skating on Saturday, and we are out of town every 2-3 weekends, often more.

I don't care. It's easy for me. If a kid is bad, dumps toys or is destructive, they are not ask back.

[dragonfly08]

I've gotten over the idea of play dates being reciprocal. If my kid wants to play with someone, and I'm available, I'm long since at the point where I'll do the inviting and not worry about them returning the favor. Sure it would be nice if it went both ways but life isn't fair, not all parents like to host play dates, and none of that is the fault of my kid. Plus my girls friends are all basically really good kids, no major arguing or destruction to worry about, so it's not a hardship to have them here for a couple of hours now and then.

[6fsn]

Playdates for my kindergartner are someone showing up on the doorstep.

[mswax]

Most have been reciprocated, but I don't really give it much thought.