https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:23:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2707183 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 23:49:43 +0000 Anya 2707183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not too often- we go to different activities and playgroups where there are "regulars" that I socialize with (and whose children my LO is buddies with). I have one mom friend I have a play date with about once a month, at my home or hers. Moms in my network sometimes plan play dates at parks/playgrounds, so in the warm months we'll do those a few times a month too. And every once in a while i will invite someone to the children's museum with me to take advantage of my membership when I can bring a guest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2707149 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 20:45:52 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2707149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe 1-2 days a week. My 21 month old isn't in preschool. We moved and I don't really have any real friends yet but I am in a lot of different moms groups so I just pick and choose what playdates I want to do that week. I am sort of an introvert too so its always a little out of my comfort zone but I do it because I need the socialization since I can't see my friends back home and for my daughter to get interaction with other kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2707114 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 18:51:18 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2707114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a sahm and my kids are almost 3 and 12 months and neither go to school. We go out almost every day but i limit the "difficulty" of the outing. On mondays i host a playgroup at my place, tuesday i have bible study so i drag my kids to church, wednesday i go to library story time, thursday and Friday i walk them to the park or meet up with friends.</p> <p>I find that having set events each week is much easier for me than having to schedule things week by week day by day. Even if i'm going out the same number of days having a routine is just much easier and not stressful. And like pp mentioned i like saying to people who want to meet up "oh i usually am at the library every wednesday" or "we usually go to the park on fridays if you want to join!" If not i can get overwhelmed... and i'm an extrovert!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2707052 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 16:10:54 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2707052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work part time and DD is in MDO two days a week. On Tuesdays we go to the library for story time. I try to visit friends for play dates or go to a meetup with a local moms group one of the other two days. DD is really active and social and would get bored otherwise. It's also good for my mental health. We spend one day at home during the week. We do come home for lunch and nap time so when we have play dates they start early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2707047 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 16:08:09 +0000 SweetiePie 2707047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbubbletea: I actually don't feel bad turning them down :silly: I just started to wonder if I was the only one who doesn't feel compelled to do them all the time.<br /> And I dislike meeting at the park/playground even more! Because the kids inevitably run in different directions and then the whole thing is kinda pointless. (NYC so parks are always crowded and kinda dangerous so you can't just sit on a bench and chat while the kids run wild). </p> <p>I have suggested an indoor play space to a couple of parents and it has worked out nicely since it's more contained and padded :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2707040 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 15:50:26 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2707040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Maybe you can suggest alternatives so you don't feel so bad turning down all the invites, like oh we typically go to this park on this day, or even, I don't think that day will work but Ill let you know when I might be at this place by your house? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2707029 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 15:35:02 +0000 brownepiano 2707029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We hang out with friends about once a week. It's people that I'm friends with so our kids have to be friends too. Sometimes we do something twice a week. He's not in school at all, but between afternoon naps and a baby's morning nap it is really hard to get anywhere! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2707017 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 15:10:46 +0000 fancyfunction 2707017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We probably do one every two weeks or so. Moms I'm friends with, ones I've made friends with through her school and a mom's group I'm in. They're very low-key. And honestly I don't really have random parents asking me for play dates - I can see how I'd be less likely to make time for those. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2707016 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 15:09:08 +0000 newlypregnantlady 2707016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I honestly have never done a play date. She goes to "school" once a week from 9-12 and I feel like that's plenty. Maybe if I wasn't pregnant I'd feel differently. My LO is 19 months. I've never really wanted one for me, but now I'm thinking that I'm being selfish by not doing it! She's a pretty social kid but she's not really old enough to play with other kids yet. She just kind of plays next to them or stares at them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2707006 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 14:54:03 +0000 Andrea 2707006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I feel the same way about the nannies! I'm like no thanks. How about you call me when you have a day off work or have a free weekend? We just had winter break from school and a working mom took some days off so we met up. It was nice!</p> <p>I've found that some people don't have kids that play well together or independently so play dates are a real life saver for them. I don't have this problem so I'm not highly motivated to schedule them unless it's with good friends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706994 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 14:34:55 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2706994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I SAH with my 21mo &amp; do no play dates and am fine with it. We have swimming lessons twice a week and play gym 1x most weeks, so to me that's plenty of socialization for us both, but I'm also introverted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706971 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 14:16:34 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2706971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>About twice a month. We have other activities and family obligations that keep us busy. I don't like being at home too much but I also don't enjoy never being here. I prefer to do half a day of stuff away from home and spend the rest of the time at home during the week. After reading the other posts I'd like to add that our play dates are with the same 1-2 friends that we already knew. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706952 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 13:47:18 +0000 Foodnerd81 2706952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: we have only had a few of the. Ore awkward, scheduled type play date with a mom who isn't already a friend. And yes doing that every week or more would be tiring. </p> <p>But I also get sick of being in the house with my kids all the time. When she is playing with other kids, that's a break for me from "mommy look at this! Watch this mommy!" And she gets bored and acts out more when we don't see friends. So it's as much for me as for the kids. Plus my preschooler is still working on some social skills like taking turns and sharing, and the only way she going to improve is playing with other kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706943 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 13:39:20 +0000 SweetiePie 2706943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok I'm glad I'm not the only freak who doesn't want to do play dates. The way everyone tries to schedule them made me think I was the only one. Literally every week we get asked for 3-4 play dates and I have to turn most of them down and then they're trying to plan for the following week or the week after. I've even been asked for a month out and I'm like...huh? I have no idea what we'll be doing in a month. What if it's beautiful out and I want to take him to the park to meet my husband? and I swear some of them are hurt/offended but...oh well. </p> <p>I just don't feel like every minute of every day has to be planned and playing with friends. Isn't it good for him to play alone? Or with just me? I know it is, that's just what I want to say to the barrage of other play date requests we get!<br /> Additionally, some of them are working moms trying to schedule me with their nannies. Yeah, no thanks. </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: to your point, if it was friends who we could just text and do spur of the moment stuff because we're close and I'm bored I don't care if the answer is yes or no and I can be really comfortable and drink wine - I would do that every week for sure. I sorta have one mom in my building I can do that with. But these are like planned scheduled things and I just...don't like that feeling. Like one of the reasons I like staying home is to have freedom and spontaneity and this barrage of requests and calendar invites feels sorta suffocating.<br /> But again...introvert. So...</p> <p>And don't even get me started on my MIL's scheduled weekly visit. 🙄 😄 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706924 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 13:16:24 +0000 lioneyes 2706924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a SAHM in the same school situation and honestly... I avoid them. We have 2 free mornings a week, and one we go grocery shopping and the other we do a fun activity, just the 2 of us. I am happy to meet another mom and kid for coffee/breakfast but only if they are my friend...otherwise it feels like a waste of time. I would never have called myself an introvert before having DS, but maybe I am! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706915 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 13:04:34 +0000 looch 2706915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is all really interesting to read...I was back at work by the time my son was 2.5 and he was in day care part time, but I really loved and continue to like play dates. We mostly did them as meetups, like go to the children's museum or something so you can leave when you need to. Even now, that's what I prefer to do, my son is 6. On the weekends in the winter, at least once a month we'll do a class meet up at the trampoline park for example. We get bored. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706912 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 13:00:12 +0000 gingerbebe 2706912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't get the play date thing, but I am also introverted and our boys are on pretty strict schedules. We have our close friends come over every other weekend because they dote on our boys and we all hang out for dinner, plus preschool and church nursery on Sundays. I feel like that's plenty of stimulation for my 2.5 year old and I'm not really interested in play dates for another mom's convenience (I mean unless it's someone who needs help postpartum or something). I have a 10 month old at home who's on 2 naps so I can't really drag everyone to and fro, and on weekends the toddler needs epic long naps because he's tired from the week. </p> <p>I feel like once he is in school and has classes and extracurriculars we will have to schlep him all over the place so I'd rather just enjoy the years before all that, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706903 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 12:40:13 +0000 Foodnerd81 2706903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do a lot of informal play dates, with good friends. So all it takes is packing a lunch and texting a friend if they want to hang out, no pressure and more fun than being home alone with my kids. </p> <p>But my 3.5 yo is only in school 2 mornings a week. We have a class that she takes with friends one morning and usually have a play date after. Afternoons are hard with differing nap schedules so we rarely meet up with people then, and weekends are usually family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706831 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:58:24 +0000 Silva 2706831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I SAH 4 days and my husband is home one. My almost 4 year old does two full days of preschool. We try to do one morning play date a week, usually with either her favorite friend from school, or with another friend from a playgroup we used to do. She's pretty tired from school and needs a lot of rest. We usually do the library or playground once a week too, and that feels like enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706829 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:58:01 +0000 youboots 2706829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>T is in school 2 days a week and still napping. We have play dates 1-2 of the other days but usually they are with friends that I've known for years to catch up. I would not do them on the weekends with people I don't know away from DH. Weekends are the time for us to be together.</p> <p>In your case I may do them every other Friday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706828 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:55:31 +0000 Peasinapod 2706828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a sahm but I'm on mat leave for a year I have a play group we aim to go to 3 mornings a week and pre school 2 mornings. Since she still takes afternoon naps there's not really enough time for anything else! And weekends are for family. So I don't do play dates! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706827 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:49:19 +0000 daniellemybelle 2706827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: That was my experience too. LO was in daycare / Grandma care 4 days per week 7 - 21 months and during that time I was really in the grind with work so playdates were not on our radar. Then we moved and I SAH full time and it was like 2-3 playdates per week! It was a great way to make new friends but after a while we pumped the brakes.</p> <p>Now LO is 3.5 and we maybe do one playdate a week or every other week. A lot of them are casual like just meeting up at the park.</p> <p>I would also definitely not be doing frequent playdates if LO was in school 4 days per week! If your LO was home with you every day or even went to school twice a week, I would say maybe a playdate once a week or every other week would make sense. But 4 days of school plus frequent playdates sounds like too much for everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706822 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:39:57 +0000 Andrea 2706822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: My main dislike was the overwhelming amount of them since I know a lot of other SAHMs and SAH myself. Play dates are a nice way to socialize for the kids and parents, but it shouldn't be stressful!</p> <p>ETA - even with drop offs now, I don't schedule as many as before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706814 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:31:51 +0000 JessyMess 2706814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm all about having another Mom over for a glass of wine while the kids play, or going to her house for the same. I'll do that as much as possible. Playdates where I have to travel and go to a "place" where there's an obligation to appreciate the "place" and pack snacks, and all that, I flake out of those. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706805 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:23:49 +0000 SweetiePie 2706805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: ok glad I'm not the only one. I have a couple mom friends in my building who I'm very comfortable with and we can have a glass of wine while they play and it's just an elevator ride. So I don't mind those :silly:<br /> But some are a hike (NYC so lots of walking) and many have a 2yo and a new baby so they want us to go to them. Which I fully understand! But...it's a pain in the ass for us.<br /> Summer will be a lot easier I think. Less bundling and maybe he can walk instead. And less school commitments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706801 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:16:43 +0000 Andrea 2706801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds like us when I first became a SAHM. It was a constant stream of play dates, but then I pulled way back. It was too much. The girls play nicely together and I would just rather have them do that all afternoon! But now they're both old enough for drop off play dates and I don't mind those! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706798 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:07:47 +0000 SweetiePie 2706798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 2.5 and in "school" 4 mornings a week.<br /> Friday's he's off. </p> <p>Since starting school there is a constant stream of play date requests. Sometimes it's nice but mostly I'm like...ugh. We spend the morning rushing around then he has lunch and nap and when he wakes up I want to use it for us to hang or run errands. He's only awake for 4 hours before bedtime.<br /> Fridays are our only day off, so likewise it's nice to not have anywhere to be and to leave it open.<br /> I'm also kinda introverted so maybe that's the issue. </p> <p>How often do you do play dates and do you like it or just power through? </p>