What Not To Do On A Playdate (And How To Be The Perfect Guest)



Don't… Wear your favourite outfit
You can't escape mum duties with the kids running around – and you may have to stop your toddler jumping on her bed every half hour. So, as much as you’d love to finally reintroduce your favourite silk top or those white jeans to your wardrobe today, this probably ain’t the time. Image: Corbis


Do… Turn up on time
Chances are your host has plans for later, too, even if it is catching up on Game of Thrones when the kids are in bed. Image: Corbis


Don't… Suggest messy play
When it's not your house, and not to the kids before the other parent. Yes, it’s a brilliant creative outlet, etc, etc, but if your host's cream carpet’s just been cleaned or her toddler has his best outfit on, she may not be as enthusiastic about getting the paint out. Image: Corbis


Don’t… Assume siblings are invited
You wouldn’t bring friends to a birthday dinner without asking if there’s enough food or space, so check first to see if your other kids can come along, too. Image: Corbis


Do… Be discreet
Be careful about having a nursery run rant or a moan about that mum who keeps cancelling catch-ups. The whole six degrees of separation thing magically turns into two degrees when you’re a parent, and you never know who knows who. Image: Corbis


Do… Tell her about his allergies
Forgetting to let your host know about your child’s dairy intolerance? Not good when she unwittingly offers up that chocolate milkshake… Image: Corbis


Don't… Let your child go wild
Just because the house isn’t yours (although we admit, it's tempting). Chances are crayons on the floor and muddy shoes on the sofa are a no-no here, too. Image: Corbis


Do… Keep a change of clothes in the car
For baby, that is. Handy in case there’s a juice or toilet incident. Image: Corbis


Don't… Make things awks
You might not usually have TV time but if your host wants to round the playdate up with half an hour of CBeebies, then bite your tongue and go with it. No one likes an weird erm-that’s-not-how-we-do-things moment. Image: Corbis


Do… Help tidy up
Your kid’s been party to the whole whirlwind look the living has right now – so you can’t just breeze out the door without at least offering to help clear up (Well, you could – but you might not get another invite!) Image: Corbis


Do… Take it outside
If she has a garden (and the weather’s OK…), get your toddlers running around outdoors, perhaps with water, ball games or a tea party. Image: Corbis


Don’t… Compare too much
OK, so she bakes a cake and buys organic tea every time (and you don't!), but this isn’t how everyone sees playdates – some mums will go for games over food, while others will keep everything really relaxed. Image: Corbis

