Daughter Wants to Invite a Friend over from School

Anything is fine - phone, email, talking in the morning, or even sending home a note with the other girl. I'd be happy and comfortable if one my son's classmates contacted me in any of those ways.

Pick up the phone: "Hi, this is Mary, Jenny's mom. She and Amy were in class last year? She would like to see if Amy can come over to play. We're free on Tuesday and Friday after school or next Saturday afternoon. Do any of those days work? Friday? Great...would you like to bring her over here after school or would it be easier if you send a note in and I pick her up? OK great, and how does 5:00 sound for pick up? Great, our address is..." etc.

My first grader actually does all of this himself. He calls and leaves messages introducing who he is, who he is calling for, that he would like so and so to come over to play, what days we're open and leaves a call back number. A couple of his buddies are at the point where they can make arrangements too - the parents of course connect to verify, but it's so cute to see them learn phone skills and take the initiative to schedule their own social lives.

Pick up the phone and ask if she can come over to play. When did it become so complicated to have a friend over? Or you can have your daughter call her friend and then talk to the mother.

Have the girls swap phone numbers and then call the other mom and say " the girls want a play day. Is there anytime that works best for you?" If you want you can offer to pick up both girls from school one day and then let mom pick her up from your house or take them to a local park after school.

Do you have her phone number? In grade one the boys usually just had their friends over to play. I would phone the mom and ask of the child could come over to play for a couple of hours and mom would drop off and pick up. In grade two the kids just call each other and make the plans, and then ask mom for permission.

Toni, they still need mom's approval. They phone their friends, but they still need to ask me, as do their friends need to ask their moms! Not to mention all the plans they make at school.

I, too, suggest that you're over thinking this. Just call the mom and suggest getting your kids together. If you're comfortable having them to your home invite them over. The girls can play and you and the mother can talk. You can be in the kitchen doing something if that's more comfortable.

You can invite just the girl since you know the mother. Did she stay for the birthday party? Just ask her which she'd prefer.

It is not that hard... just call the mom, reaquaint yourselves and set a date.

It will be the one of many playdates your daughter has, hopefully.

We started playdates when daughter was a toddler. It is easy.. start with a relatively short time frame, have a snack and let them play.

Call if you have the number or drop her an email asking if the girls could get together for a play date.

Yes, it is very normal for children to have friends and spend time with them outside of school.
Of course they will get together at each others' houses, that's where they live.
I'm not sure I understand your dilemma. Contact her (the mom) Iike you would contact any other person, either by email or phone, and make arrangements.

To me emails are so impersonal unless you really know the person and regularly stay in touch that way. Also, I agree with S.H., both parents should stay at the play date, you should know beforehand that you and she get along, do it at a neutral place, i.e., park, and don't feel pressured to set anything up because your daughter wants you to. Technically they can play together at recess at school.

Since you know and like the mom mention it in person to her the next time you see her if you decide to proceed...but know her daughter might not feel the same way. Then recess it is.

I only have play dates/get together with another kid/their Mom, IF I AM comfortable with that Mom and KNOW her and TRUST her and she is not a weird irresponsible person.
I fully explain that to my kids.
I don't just invite over a kid, just because my kids say so or want to. Nor do I send my kid to another person's home for a play date by themselves, unless I know them, WELL.

I... am on campus at my kids' school regularly and know myself and my kids and know who I trust or not and the type of parent that is pretty much okay to befriend.

Once you have play dates... the Moms will ALSO then, have to interact too. So keep that in mind. ie: if you cannot stand another Mom or have polar opposite type outlooks or parenting levels, then think hard if you want to start a play date "relationship" with that Mom, and her kid.

OR, you have the play date, at a public park. Not in your home or theirs. And you both stay.

Wow, my son is only 2, but it wasn't this complicated when I was a kid, lol! We would just tell our mom we were going to Kathy's house after school and that was that.

Either send an e-mail or try to catch her in person one morning. Since your daughter wants this, invite the child to your home for a 2 hour playdate. Give mom and drop-off and pick-up times and whether or not you will be providing lunch, snacks, etc., and making sure of any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Have fun!

I would send an email. If all are comfortable mom could drop her off for 2 hrs and come back.

AFTER READING SOME OTHER RESPONSES: A second grade child making their OWN plans....Not in my world.

Person to person, invite the mom over for coffee or a glass of wine. She can see your home and the two of you can get to know each other. When/if your child is invited to her friend's home (same process).