Parents are beginning to feel the pressure when it comes to playdates.
Some say they feel that they’re expected to cook up a storm and to ensure they’re entertained all day.
Katie Makk, host of the Opinions Matter podcast said for many people playdates are beginning to feel “forced.”
Speaking to Newstalk, she said: “I feel like I have to have stuff ready to do baking, or I have to have stuff in to keep them busy.
“It’s almost like school outside of school sometimes because everything is so regimented.”
While kids enjoy the chance to bring their friends home and play after school, Makk says the pressure to provide food and entertainment comes from other parents.
While kids rely more and more on technology for entertainment, many parents are trying to move away from screentime – which only puts more pressure on during playdates to supply offline activities.
“I think kids get bored more easily now, and it’s probably a lot to do with gaming and phones.
“It’s like kids today don’t have the same imagination we had.”
According to Child Focus, however, it’s becoming more and more important to give children the opportunity to be social outside of a school setting.
“Social interaction is a key aspect of healthy development in children and playdates provide the perfect opportunity for unstructured playtime with peers,” a statement read.
“During these playdates, children engage in various activities that promote their social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical development.”
It also teaches children how to develop friendships with other children their age and according to Sheryl Ziegler, a licensed clinical psychologist, says ‘drop-off playdates’ should begin around the age of 5 or 6.
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