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

Don’t… Get an inferiority complex

On the same note, kids are a great leveller. So, while your host’s house may be dripping in Orla Keily and Heal’s, remember, she too has been covered in puree and wiped nappy explosions off the wall.

Don't… Overstay your welcome

The mum has asked if you’d like to stay for tea, but does she really want you to after five hours in the garden? Hmm, tricky – but perhaps a case of thinking what you’d want at that stage. Gauge the body language and adapt. Image: Corbis

Do… Think outside the (location) box

Take the pressure off and go somewhere neutral like the nearest park or soft play centre. You can both pitch in with food and there’s less clearing up. Image: Corbis