Here's the thing: I guess I'm something of a degenerate.
Well, that's not true exactly, but I've never been one to drive myself crazy "following the rules" -- or drive anyone else crazy trying to make them "follow my rules." (Can you tell I was raised by hippies?)
I knew next to nothing about the world of time-outs and sticker charts and naughty chairs until I had babies of my own and they got old enough to start playing with other kids -- kids whose parents lived in that world.
And guess what I discovered? Those kids liked having playdates at my house a LOT.
Don't get me wrong -- it's not like there are NO rules for playdates at my house ...
More from The Stir: 9 Rules Moms Should Follow at the Playground
1. No burning the house down. Cause that's just unacceptable. I mean, come on.
2. No drawing blood. Everyone gets the occasional bump or bruise ... even a scratch here or there is par for the course. But as soon as the blood starts flowing, the fun is over.
3. If you're going to draw on the wall, use a washable marker, NOT a Sharpie. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser isn't really magic, you know.
4. If you're going to jump on the furniture, the limit is 2 kids per bed/couch. Otherwise, say hello to your little concussion.
5. Watching TV is totally allowed. But if your mom has some kind of rule about screen time at your house, maybe don't mention that I let you watch a Dora the Explorer marathon.
6. Snacks are totally allowed. But if your mom has some kind of rule about no sugar at your house, maybe don't mention that I let you eat a couple of popsicles.
7. Yell and scream as loud as you want, but remember: I won't be able to hear you because those little things in my ears are blasting Led Zeppelin.
8. If you're going to smush play-dough into the carpet, try to use that old hunk of mixed-up colors that looks like a mound of poo, because nobody will miss it.
9. If you're not allowed to chew gum at your house and you chew gum at my house and it gets stuck in your hair, I'm telling your mother I have no idea how it got there.
10. You will be expected to help put all the toys away ... if you want to know where to find them the next time you come over for a playdate. Because frankly I am not going to spend all afternoon digging under the couch for missing Lego pieces. (Your arms are tinier anyway.)
What are your playdate "rules" of conduct?
Image via James Emery/Flickr
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Comments 33
My rules are when it's time to leave CLEAN UP YOUR MESS, and no throwing a fit because you have to leave and hiding in my room and kicking and screaming/hitting your mom because you don't want to leave. Since my daughter's friend started trying to hide in my room (which is off limits), we now only go to the park. No jumping on my couch because when my daughter was younger, she did that and so did my nieces and nephews and they already broke my couch. No writing on my walls or you will be painting them. There is plenty of movies, t.v. shows and millions of toys and a backyard to play with. Go have fun.
sorry dude. you try any of those "rules" at my house and you won't be welcomed back:(
I love this and I too expected some bad blogs. My daughter, when she was little, had the "princess" from down the street over to play. They had a blast and a fun lunch. When Queen Mum came to pick up her little princess and said "did you have a good time", the princess replied, "She made me pick up the toys". Bye kid
BRAVO! That's the way my house goes and all the neighborhood kids LOVE IT! Don't hurt each other, things break and things can be cleaned up but don't be destructive, also stay out of my bedroom as indicated by another mom...I don't want you ratting my mess out to your mom! All the kids LOVE me and all the mothers look at my with contempt but they can't complain too much because their kids are at my house having a blast while they are home painting their toes (my toes are never painted)! Oh and my kid's father is in law enforcement so we have a whole arsenal of toy guns, so if you take issue, don't send your kid over! I used to scramble around confiscating all the "army and police" stuff so mothers in my playgroup wouldn't freak out and wouldn't you know it, it was their kids that invaded my closet and drug them out! I gave up...literally handcuffed and sent to stuffed toy jail!
i must be really lucky - we don't have wild play dates - only rule i have is no jumping of the couch - i'm not really against it but we have concrete under our carpet.....
I would have a problem with a parent who'd feed my kid sugar when my son doesn't eat sugar for dietary/health reasons. that really bothered me to read it.
I'm pretty laid back in the sense that as long as my son's not breaking the house down from his foundation, were kosher - or he can go outside and run and scream and play - but while I liked this post, I really couldn't get past the idea that someone would let a kid have sugar who's not supposed to have sugar...
parents might not tell you WHY they have that rule in place.... but there's generally a reason.
lol
The rules are quite simple for play dates at my house
1. If you insist on drawing on the walls, go in Zayden's room and use only the chalk that is in there
2. If you want to jump on something, the trampoline is out back
3. If you aren't allowed to do/have something at home then dont tell your parents cause I will just tell them I have no idea what youre talking about
4. most importantly have fun, be kids and dont worry about noise level! We live in the middle of nowhere, no one cares if you want to be loud
My "play date" rules? There are no PLAY DATES........Geez! How about, "Why don't you drop little Billy off on Saturday?".......Geez! PLAY DATES!
Very Good Mama...can totally see why kid's want to play-date at your house....