I ended up emailing a mom of a girl from my oldest daughter's class, we've never met. We worked out a play date. First we were going to meet somewhere then she volunteered her house. She also has a younger daughter around my youngest age too so I'm bringing both girls. This is perfect. However, this will be the first time I'm meeting her mom and going for a play date at someone's house like this. We are going over after lunch around 1pm. My question is, what is an adequate amount of time to stay there? Especially if this mom doesn't say anything, how do I bring up when to leave? Seems silly to ask this..but its the first time I've been in this scenario.
Thank you all...we ended up staying a little over two hours. We all had a great time. :)
I'd see how it goes, but I'd try to keep it around an hour and a half the first time....
I would stay approx 2 hours. No later than that just in case they have dinner plans, or the mom needs to get some other things done.
I had a gal come to my house for a playdate and the 2 hours was perfect for the kids to play.
Most playdates I go to are usually about an hour and a half, once I get to know the mom/kids...sometimes longer. Just see how it goes.
Like everyone here, I think 1-1/2 to 2 hours is long enough. Even if I know the people, I think that after 2 hours, folks should be leaving. I've never been one to stay at someone's house longer than that and after 2 hours I always wish my company would go home. Entertaining is exhausting!
I would agree to wait and see how things go. It may go great and you both loose track of time all together. :) Other wise 2 hours is a safe time frame. When you are ready to go or feel like it is time, just give your girls a time warning and make up an excuse. You could say "In 10 minutes we have to go, we need to stop at the store on the way home" or " in 10 minutes we need to go so that mommy has time to start dinner before daddy comes home".
2 hours. Sometimes with good friends, we will do more like 3 hours. With little ones who have bad days, we might leave early. But as a rule, 2 hours.
1 1/2 to 2 hours maximum. Even if the kids are doing excellent. Have a message alert/reminder/your cell phone alarm set at 1 hour so you can have an out if you need it.
When the alarm goes off you look at it and say "Oh my stars!! I forgot!! I have an appointment at XXX, we have to go!". It should be somewhere sort of important that can't really be confirmed you were there or not in case she knows someone that works there or is friends with them. It needs to be personal too, so she can't say "Oh I love that place, hang on and we'll go too!".
If you are enjoying yourself then just blow it off as a reminder for someone's anniversary or something and continue visiting.
take snacks and drinks, enough to share, so your kids have something they like. we have had kids come over that don't eat fruit and vegetables.
i didn't have crackers, candy, ice cream, pop, etc..
2 hours, max.
Beyond that a play-date... gets sort of tiring... especially if you don't know the person well nor hit it off.
OR... use your judgement. IF... IF you and she don't hit it off and she doesn't chat or can't carry on a conversation... then stay for 1 hour... and say you have to leave because you have other commitments/things to do etc. In other words, make a gracious exit... but thank her for the invite of course. YOU have to INITIATE that. Don't just 'wait' for her to say when to leave. YOU... have to initiate, that.
If you did not hit it off nor the girls... or you don't wanna go back there or get together with them for awhile... then, just make an excuse and don't 'commit' yourself to anything.
You also want to ask your child... if she enjoyed herself.
For example: if my child did not enjoy a play-date or the other child at someone else's home... then, I don't go back.
I would do about 2 hours. I don't like to take too much time out of someone's day, and would definitely leave before dinnertime.
