*Update & photo *Nervous about a playdate!

Ok, a little background. We open enroll our kids in the neighboring district. The school is closer & it is also the one that I attended. I did not fit in socially growing up. I did not really have any friends and I worry about this for my kids. Clayton has been diagnosed autism spectrum disorder and we are in the process of getting Evan tested for the same thing. All three kids are in speech and have been since age 2.

That said, I sent invites to two kids in the kids' classrooms (they chose) for a playdate on Saturday afternoon. I have not heard from one of them which is sad, but one finally called today. Clayton's friend Alantis. She is half of a set of twins. Her brother (yes, I said her) is in Audrey's classroom. Her mom called and wondered if the playdate was still on. I was thrilled! Now I am nervous of 'activities.' HOpefully it goes well. I hope I get a call from AUdrey's friend, or they show up. Any words of advice? I did ask if there are any food issues and there are not any.
Thanks!

 

How does Clayton play, normally? For the most part, I'd just let them play, inside and outside... doing their own thing, no set activities. Unless he normally needs some creative help with playing with a friend, then I might plan things. You might have some ideas for suggestions if they say they're bored. But mostly just let them work out what their activities will be, at least that's how my kids do best with most of their friends (the exception being cousins who are totally bored all the time unless they're playing video games or an organized sport).

 

these days Clayton has a one track mind.. Super Mario Wii. I'm sure that is ALL he would do if I did not encourage him to do something else, and if she isn't familiar with it, he would totally dominate the game, which is not fun for anyone else. He does not yet have the ability to let someone else win. I am going to try to be as hands off as possible, but I do want to make this successful & fun for the girl. The mom seemed thrilled!

 

Great that the mom is excited about it! And I can totally understand what you're saying about the one-track mind. What about sitting down with Clayton this evening and asking him for suggestions of things that he thinks she'd have fun doing?

Oh, and if Audrey's friend doesn't come, maybe make it games and activities for three?

 

How about inviting the other twin, if Audrey's friend doesn't respond?

 

Great idea. I did when the mom called me and she wasn't sure if he had hockey practice or not. So, we'll see.

 

Update: I'm cleaning house like a madwoman trying to get ready for my kids' playdate. I got a call from Audrey's friend's dad who was sad to report that she has a double ear infection and a bad cough so she would not be making it. I'm glad he called. Sounded like she really wanted to come and we will reschedule for a later date. She has been out of school for the last three days. Perhaps I will have Audrey make a 'hope you're feeling better' card for her when she comes back to school. I'm still nervous and am having hubby pick up some healthy snacks when he is out for the participants today. Audrey is very excited and happy today. Thanks! It is VERY cold out, so all play will have to be indoors.

 

I know playdough can be messy but it is something that I like because they can all work on their own thing and it can take a lot of time up.

 

*UPDATE*

Whew! We survived! Actually it went fine. Clayton is a bit obsessed with Super Mario Wii these days which the they were not. He also didn't think that Audrey played fair when they played Chutes & Ladders. All in all though, everyone had fun. They did some playdoh, some coloring, some games, hide & seek & ended up watching a half hour episode of Kung Fu Panda. THEY (yes, both her and her twin brother) had fun and on the drive home, they were talking about how my twins should come over to their house and that they'd love to come back when it was not so cold so they could see our chickens. Here is a picture. They turned 7 in December. P.s. Evan is in the picture and it was hard to get a good picture because the visiting boy did not like getting his picture taken. I do not know why no one was looking at me/camera here.

 

So happy for all of you, Jackie!! Glad it went well! And cute pic!

 

:Clap: I'm glad the kids had fun!! :Clap:

 

Great pic Jackie! It looks like they had fun! So glad it went well.