Received Friday, August 29, 2008. - Perspective & Opinion
I am looking for advice on how to broach having playdates at my charge's home. We've just moved into a new area the past couple months, and while meeting at the park with the couple new friends we've made is great...the park can be a little overwhelming (for 2 4 yr olds) if there are a lot of kids there. This has never come up in the past, but in the past, I was able to have kiddos just come to my place for a playdate. The main reasons I would like to host playdates have everything to do with my charge who would LOVE having a friend come over. Also, being as we have just moved into the area, I feel like it would be great to really cement a couple of these friendships that we've been working on for over a month. The parents I work for trust my judgement without hesitation, and I would never have anyone in their home that I hadn't met multiple times before to get a good feeling of them. I think I'm just feeling unsure because it feels weird to me to ask other people to their home.
13 comments:
Are these other parents? Or nannies?
I would ask the parents if they were fine with hosting playdates in their home and then I would ask them if they would be fine with me sttting up these playdates, or if they would prefer to do so. Depending on the answer, at that point I would ask if they had any children in mind and I would throw in my suggestion of some of the children which you have come to know in the park. I would then suggest that the parents work out the playdate, trade (parents numbers) numbers (with the other nanny form the park). That's always been the best way.
3:02 PM
RE-POST!
i am a nanny and the way i brought it up was that first i asked if we could go to a certain nanny friend's house where she worked. then i asked if she could come over with the kids. then i starting talking to the mom about a different nanny and asked if SHE could come over. i did it in baby steps. the mom was willing because she didn't let me take the kids many places at the time. i explained that i needed some adult interaction. you could tell the mom that you feel like it's safer to have them play at home while you interact with other adults. at a park it's too hard to talk to other adults very much.
Playdates are almost normal...most parents would consent.
I don't see why the two posts above would not work, you can use either one and not worry about it.
Just come out and suggest it.
Both potential playdates would be with the parents of my charge's friends. They don't have nannies, poor things ;) jk. Mom and Dad work a lot, right now, Originally, I thought it would be nice if they could meet the other people first, however, the way things seem to be going, that could be awhile!!!
Repost of yet ANOTHER anonymous poster. Man, don't people know how to read?
I have always had other kids over and their Parents or Nannies and the people I have worked for love it as they know their kids are getting to know others and I also leave the parents numbers with my family so they also can have weekend playdates..One Mom I worked for was very shy and appreciated how i broke the ice for her and got her some friends.
- 9:25 PM
I usually start play dates with someone I've gotten to know through a class, or see regularly in the playground. I tell my employer that there is a little girl that xxxx loves to play with, and her nanny is extremely nice. Would she be comfortable with my inviting them for a play date. You might also point out that it would be good to establish a couple of friendships for xxx before the weather turns ugly, and you are stuck indoors a lot.
Play dates are a normal part of children's lives, so you should not feel uncomfortable bringing it up. It is part of your job.
Don't be afraid to ask. The mom I work for encourages me to have playdates for the little one when her older sisters are in school. The worst that could happen is that she could say no but she might let you visit the other home if she doesn't want people in her house.
Not really post related... but more on the 9:25 topic. Can you just delete anonymous as an option? May save everyone the trouble :)
CEO
We would love more than anything to remove "Anonymous", but unfortunately Blogger doesn't allow us the option. Sorry!
The family I nanny for told me right away that they encourage play dates. The family I nannied before this one told me that right away too, it seems to me that most parents these days like playdates.
And I think if you're going to hire a nanny you need to know you can trust them, and if you can trust them with your kids, then you can trust their judgement of who comes over.
thanks everyone! I did it!!! And we can!
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