PLAYDATE MANNERS
■ A successful afternoon has a definitive beginning and end. Agree on a time with the parent: usually 4.30pm, but no later than 5pm. ■ Always pack extra clothes for water play, or if your child should have an accident. An apron is always a good idea if messy play is on the agenda. ■ Exchange cellphone numbers ■ If it's your child's first playdate with a new friend, make the effort to chat to a parent beforehand. Make sure you know where they live, what they'll be doing (is she going to be taking them to the beach, or to the movies?), and their swimming pool, if they have one, is safe. ■ Don't be shy to tell the playdate parents that you insist on a car seat. If they don't have one, you can always offer to send yours along to school. ■ Make sure the friend knows where the toilet is. ■ Tell the parents about all your child's allergies. Will they know what to do when a bee stings Dineo? ■ If it's the friend's first time at your house, feel free to send her parents an SMS after an hour telling them everything is going well and what the kids are doing. ■ Offer a quick cup of tea when the friend's parent comes to pick her up. One can discover the most wonderful of friends through our children. ■ Don't invite around too many friends. One or a maximum of two is probably all you'll feel up to. ■ Ensure the children can't get to dangerous tools or Dad's collection of expensive toy cars. If you have a pool or a jacuzzi, ensure these are covered and that the gate is locked. ■ Make sure your child and her friend know which rooms in the house are out of bounds. ■ Safety is the key: don't leave your children unsupervised near water (not even a few centimetres in an inflatable pool).
