Play Dates

Am I the only mom to have looked forward to the day my little one was old enough for a play date and then been totally let down? As the mom of an only child, I feel like I have to make sure to seek out opportunities for my daughter to play with other kids. She’s been going on playdates accompanied by me since she was almost 3. Now that she’s almost 4, she’s ready to go without me. And her friends can come over without their moms.

I knew I’d still have to stick close by in order to mediate disputes, make sure no one got hurt, and so on, but finally I’d have some time to fold laundry and start dinner while Baby Galen was happily engaged as well. I think I imagined something like this.

 

The kids would be happily engaged while I was busy as well.

Are you laughing yet?

What I learned was that while almost four-year-olds do want to play with friends, they still want direction. They still want mommy right next to them. I folded one shirt before I heard, “Mommy!” and I never made it back to the laundry pile again. And I sort of didn’t even mind because watching my daughter play with other kids shows me an entirely different side of her. I realized she isn’t always bossy and will go along with others’ ideas. I also realized she has some really fun imaginative play ideas. And…we still need to work on sharing.

Have you ever seen someone you know well in a different situation and been surprised by their behavior?

Shana Galen, Multitasker Mama

I’m Shana Galen, AKA Multitasker Mama (and aren’t we all?). I’m a wife, mom to a three-year-old daughter I call Baby Galen. My parenting motto is, “Keep moving. Don’t pass out. Don’t throw up.” Or maybe that’s my fitness motto? www.shanagalen.com