8th May..

Having friends surrounding you makes all the difference. I don't know how I coped for the first year and half of Harry's life with no friends. I met them all at a walk around the village I live in, & gradually got closer & friendlier with everyone. We have a close group of about 12 of us that all have kiddies the same age as Harry (around 2). And some are now having kiddies around same age as Lacey or getting pregnant so the next age of kiddies will be around the same age :).its such a good little group of friends we all meet up rather regularly & just letting the kiddies play it's nice to be able to get a cup of tea in.    

There's a few lessons you need to learn about play dates though!: 

1. Don't tidy up until they've gone:

The kids will make sure they watch you put every single toy away, back in that box for the 5th time since it being out and just left because another thing caught their eye....as soon as you sit down the toy will be back out even messier than it was in the first place. Just leave it until the friends have gone home ;). 

2. The tele:

You will put cartoons on tele for some sanity; for 5 mins peace .. even though they won't watch it whenever they walk back in the room & you've turned that programme off that they didn't even watch, they will have a heartbreaking meltdown. Keep the cartoons on (I think I watch them more than Harry does if I'm honest). 

3. Don't discipline your friends kids. 

Okay, if they're doing something bad & their mummy hasn't seen its okay to tell them not to do it. But don't shout at them, don't feel like you need to tell them off. It's the mums time to deal with their own buns :). We all discipline differently and I would never want to have to leave somewhere early because Itd be horrible that they aren't being good and someone else told them off for me. :). 

4. Have fun. 

It's your chance to relax. Your out the house. With your child. Happy. Alive.

You have a few hours that your child will have fun & eventually (hopefully) run their energy out...and on the way home you may even be lucky for a nap too! ( the kids not you.) you are even able to sit down & have a (even a hot) cup of tea while each other's kiddies can amuse each other for a while. 

I do love having play dates. They're perfect if you really can't be bothered to leave the house that day, and then you feel bad for staying in with them all day...invite people over & your child is happy :):)