tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post631495267592572629..comments2024-02-23T20:11:10.823-08:00Comments on The Reed Life: playdates and a friendly little reminderAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10497663893256700064noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-83367574405073917622011-09-22T12:12:47.797-07:002011-09-22T12:12:47.797-07:00Thank you! I've had the same thoughts about th...Thank you! I've had the same thoughts about this myself but everyone I know is really into PD.I have 3 year old twin boys who get along great with each other but when we throw in someone else it gets to be work. I love knowing that I'm not the only one who thinks playdates don't have to happen. Thanks again for sharing!Emily Kinsaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06378189241275767412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-21766796634091229132011-08-19T14:44:32.682-07:002011-08-19T14:44:32.682-07:00dear shauna reed,
can we be real-life neighbors a...dear shauna reed, <br />can we be real-life neighbors and not have play dates together? please? ;) <br />i get it that some people enjoy play dates but a lot of the time i think it is because they think they should be having them and/or that they feel that their children need to be occupied and entertained every.second.of.the.day. meeting up with people i don't know and trying to make our kids friends is weird to me--and yeah, that's just me. you can call me anti-social, cause i do. thanks for sharing this!Amy @ Lucky Number 13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09203621645710456887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-5380959240590780582011-08-13T23:09:12.449-07:002011-08-13T23:09:12.449-07:00You are so right that just hearing someone else fe...You are so right that just hearing someone else feels the same way makes you feel better. I don't like play dates AT ALL and avoid them all the time. I chose to have only two kids and when they each have a friend over, I think to myself... THIS is why I didn't want more kids! It's too much work! I have enough work taking care of my two kids, I don't need to bring in other people's kids (who I can't discipline). If only one friend comes over, the other sibling feels sad and left out and I just hate that. I know I should do it sometimes, but I just feel so much PRESSURE from the other moms to have their kids over. It makes me not want to let my kids go to other people's houses either, cause then I know I am going to have to reciprocate! Ugh. Thanks for saying this out loud.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-79697061809464420112011-08-13T11:30:58.690-07:002011-08-13T11:30:58.690-07:00i know i only have one babe, but i so enjoy my tim...i know i only have one babe, but i so enjoy my time at home with him. it's really hard for me to have a decent conversation with an adult when children are climbing on couches and miles is putting every toy in his mouth. i guess i felt like i was the outcast! thanks for sharing. :) <br /><br />looking forward to meeting you soon! loves.katygirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00815006928566923539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-67161360943388468722011-08-12T19:27:32.693-07:002011-08-12T19:27:32.693-07:00tomorrow morning i am taking my first born to COLL...tomorrow morning i am taking my first born to COLLEGE, WHAT??? Yes I am...take this advice...soak up e.. v.. e.. ry minute of alone time hangin out, coloring, taking pictures, making cookies, playing army guys, playing astronaut (especially that one for us).... WHATEVER because I can not express to you how fast it goes...EVERYBODY told me that too...but really..it is just surreal..you just keep going along every day...and all of a sudden it's just here...and he's leaving...and wow..i don't even know what to say..sniffAllisonhttp://shauna-thereedlife.blogspot.com/2011/08/playdates-and-friendly-little-reminder.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-91933097807746832272011-08-12T14:54:17.051-07:002011-08-12T14:54:17.051-07:00i think because it is summer, a lot of the school ...i think because it is summer, a lot of the school friends assumed it would be play-day city. we haven't had a single one. i've been soaking up the moments with my own kids, doing our own things we've been waiting to do together. i just plain don't want to share them. and they haven't asked for anything different. i do get flack though - the neighbor who has a child my child's age (and who was clearly expecting we'd be available all the time) asked if we'd moved away, with a laugh and hefty dose of condecension. i said (with a tight smile) nope, we're here, just doing our own thing...Leslie @ top of the pagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003880675646742286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-18632262756199114032011-08-12T13:08:17.936-07:002011-08-12T13:08:17.936-07:00we all have those things behind the pictures. it&#...we all have those things behind the pictures. it's hard. <br /><br />i hope you can share those things. one day? i don't know. i share too much some times. i say it's therapeutic.Jami Natohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06882211827086091561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-11044320329388022592011-08-12T12:29:20.002-07:002011-08-12T12:29:20.002-07:00I appreciate the honesty of what you said but as a...I appreciate the honesty of what you said but as a Navy wife who moves every two to three years - playdates (usually awkward ones) are an unfortunate necessity if I ever want to meet and make friends myself. I am a social person and when you live thousands of miles away from other friends or family - what else can you do? <br />Yes, I've now lived through many awkward playdates with Moms & their kids that I've met at the playground but some of those awkward moments have turned into true friendships - something that's a necessity - at least to this SAHM. Especially as I'm getting closer to going into labor with my second child and will need to call on friends to watch my 2 year old!<br /><br />Maybe down the road when my girls are older and play together more I'll feel differently...Momma Bruce and Cubshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447029429544416531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-11885435649249906022011-08-12T11:43:03.947-07:002011-08-12T11:43:03.947-07:00Yes!!! I think you have hit a nerve here! I'm ...Yes!!! I think you have hit a nerve here! I'm a pretty laid back person, but having my kids' friends over makes me just a little uncomfortable in my own home. Glad to know I'm not alone! We love our neighborhood friends, but I often institute the "only outside" play days. It helps!Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13784965926778588812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-26376368171681434692011-08-12T10:22:28.910-07:002011-08-12T10:22:28.910-07:00I love your blog because you are honest about life...I love your blog because you are honest about life! And I loved this post. I am a homeschooling mama and my kids love playing together and they love playing with their cousins. But when we do get together with friends...they also love that! I think its important to have a balance.Jenihttp://jenifranklin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-20962757879138779392011-08-12T09:16:34.508-07:002011-08-12T09:16:34.508-07:00i totally agree with this, too (mom of two homesch...i totally agree with this, too (mom of two homeschooled kiddos here)! BUT how do we gently turn down those who REALLY want to have one of those awkward play dates with us?? especially if they are persistent?? i have trouble with that and welcome any suggestions.......sara ericsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09869865932824762799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-33284697126052929772011-08-12T08:22:43.433-07:002011-08-12T08:22:43.433-07:00totally in agreement. when did "playing"...totally in agreement. when did "playing" turn into "playdate"? don't force it, unless there's a specific need (mom works, so kid doesn't have much hanging out time with kids other than daycare friends; or mom's friends don't have little kids so she has to set stuff up; or you move to a new place and don't know anybody)Lena K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06728594450465464325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-46545114494518900722011-08-12T06:49:55.908-07:002011-08-12T06:49:55.908-07:00I love this post! I have had issues with this as w...I love this post! I have had issues with this as well. For the first 4-5 years I had my girls it was just THEM and once in awhile their cousins and then 1-2 good friends that they had over ONCE in ahwhile, not very often at all. I loved it!<br />then we moved about an hour away, lost those connections, but they didn't miss it, they had one another. and for the whole first year we lived here, there were 3 girls who lived close and they came over EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF EVERY SINGLE Day, ate our food, drove me crazy...I finally put a stop to it when my husband was burned really bad and was in the ICU, he came home from the ICU was home only 1 day and one of those girls shows up to PLAY!!!!!! her mom was THERE when my hubby was burned, so she KNEW what was going on. I told that girl to go home and not come back for 3 weeks, she never came back again. then I put up a new rule, my girls could NOT HAVE friends over during the school week. it has made our lives soooooo much better! the bad part is all 3 of those girls then totally ditched my girls so they only have one another now, but that's okay, they are BEST friends!!!<br />so I totally LOVE this post. when I was little all we did was PLAY with our siblings and cousins that lived up the road from us!<br />amen to that!<br />tarapakostahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14844321396555037225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-77179328472617919532011-08-12T06:25:20.496-07:002011-08-12T06:25:20.496-07:00Oh man!! I am tearing up reading what handbags n ...Oh man!! I am tearing up reading what handbags n pigtails wrote...I am a SAHM of four boys who are now 6 and three that are 4...and SO many times I wish for the future to be here and I can return to work & they'll all be in school....her comment gave me that "ah ha!" moment of PLEASE JUST LET IT SINK IN & FEEL IT & ENJOY IT!!!! I need to enjoy this time more as it too shall pass & I will miss these days. The days are long; the years are short. <br /><br />As for playdates - I don't like 'em! I don't like the small talk, the chit chat about your kids, I believe kids grow from the daily hum drum of just livin'...hanging out at the park, doing errands, library, etc. Yes, my kids have their siblings to hang with - but we Mamas have to remember to treasure the time when they are home - bc it's very very short!!! and oh so precious!!<br /><br />Thank you for the reminder!!<br /><br />Love your blog. Keep it real.Jodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03114518084564243120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-60814900845760185632011-08-12T06:12:25.014-07:002011-08-12T06:12:25.014-07:00I'm not a mom but I WAS an "unsocialized ...I'm not a mom but I WAS an "unsocialized homeschooler" and honestly I turned out just fine. =) I grew up on a farm 15 minutes outside our town of 6,000 and only had a handful of friends my age (mostly from church). I really don't remember any playdates to speak of, mostly I played with my brother and sisters out on the farm and non of us turned out to be introverts, honest. ;) Once I got to the point I could drive then I was a socializing queen. Enjoy the kiddos at home while you can!Aliciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18096750077498437818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-30439377341245583422011-08-12T06:11:18.133-07:002011-08-12T06:11:18.133-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Aliciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18096750077498437818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-44794449526897145682011-08-11T21:40:21.845-07:002011-08-11T21:40:21.845-07:00Wow, I'm so glad I'm normal. I can't h...Wow, I'm so glad I'm normal. I can't handle more than one scheduled playdate a week (if that). I'm quiet and like to be alone and my daughter and I like to play tea parties and run errands and read *together*. I dont doubt her social development will carry on just fine, but i was starting to think something was wrong with me, though, because almost alll my friends have things planned almost everyday. I just can't do it. And now... I'm ok with that :)Aly Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10773351985152791752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-30514663983515474342011-08-11T21:15:08.322-07:002011-08-11T21:15:08.322-07:00I can't imagine what life will be like when I ...I can't imagine what life will be like when I am ALONE again. Wow. Littles can be so all-consuming sometimes. Have fun with the girl time!!!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12583827493150871142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-52398961756278044922011-08-11T21:14:58.949-07:002011-08-11T21:14:58.949-07:00I'm happy to read a couple comments here from ...I'm happy to read a couple comments here from homeschoolers. The #1 concern I've heard from people since we decided to homeschool last spring is "What about socialization?" It's interesting that we put such a high value on that. We have a very tight circle of friends and we will continue to have those friends even though we're homeschooling. Other than that, I'm so looking forward to being home with my boys!Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00192972998727462569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-12061052045808742592011-08-11T19:18:31.915-07:002011-08-11T19:18:31.915-07:00I agree; I'm not a fan of playdates either!I agree; I'm not a fan of playdates either!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09257202980387402268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-80530217101554082672011-08-11T16:44:08.331-07:002011-08-11T16:44:08.331-07:00This post is all me. All of it! Even my baby goi...This post is all me. All of it! Even my baby going to preschool which I am so not looking forward to. Thanks for writing it. I know too many people that over socialize their kids and frankly, it stresses me out to see how busy they are running from one playdate to another.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12897597626442892208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-91140544538343610712011-08-11T16:01:55.811-07:002011-08-11T16:01:55.811-07:00I love this post...I have unsocialized homeschooli...I love this post...I have unsocialized homeschooling kids too ;) but I love that they can happily interact with people of all ages. Those play dates can be really awkward and sometimes we get so hung up on doing what other moms are doing that we forget that we need to do what's right for our own kids. We are happy to spend time simply at home, I think life is more peaceful that way.Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15231197848904182078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-2047372067527942662011-08-11T14:51:21.359-07:002011-08-11T14:51:21.359-07:00In a week and a few days my baby will be off to 1s...In a week and a few days my baby will be off to 1st grade(sniff, snot, sob)and my "big girl" will be heading to 3rd grade(sniff sniff, snot snot, sob sob) and I will be teaching/working outside of the home for the first time in eight years. I am terrified of these new changes because I know its over. The bliss of being home with my babies, the simplicity of life,etc... Im wishing I appreciated those days a little more when I was in them instead of longing for the days ahead(where I now find myself).<br /> Perhaps Im just totally babbling and making no sense. But change is hard.<br /> And I will need a break 3 weeks into teaching. Thank God for BlogSugar!:)Handbags*and*Pigtailshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04610743416170257873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-86511725678016179662011-08-11T14:48:09.842-07:002011-08-11T14:48:09.842-07:00oh i soo hear you on the playdate thing. i homesch...oh i soo hear you on the playdate thing. i homeschool my kids, so they're like REALLY unsocialized ;) but my boys have each other and you're right, when one goes away it leaves the other one sad...my little girl is the one that needs to learn how to entertain herself better. the boys are so into their boy stuff, it kinda leaves her in the dust....but it seems like every 6 months their stages and interests all change anyway, so it's all good :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17444874559602612752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557524267448343048.post-43130396789129285712011-08-11T14:46:55.672-07:002011-08-11T14:46:55.672-07:00I 100% agree with you.
I am a loner by nature and ...I 100% agree with you.<br />I am a loner by nature and we spend a LOT of time at home, much to the frustration of others. They just don't get it.<br /><br />I also think (read: know) after years in education of children that there is little correlation between the amount that children go on "playdates" and how they are socialized. It's a farce. <br /><br />The over-socialized and over-scheduled child is the norm these days and I am going against the grain.<br /><br />We can hold hands together.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com