Why You Need a Play Date with Your Child

Play dates are arranged times for children to get together and play. When I was a kid, we didn't have play dates, we just went to a friend's house and played. These days, everything has a label and this is the one that stuck. So, do you arrange play dates for your children and their friends or have you already seen the benefits of a play date with you and your children?

Play dates let them know they are significant. Parents and children become so comfortable with each other, that they often take each other for granted. When you arrange a play date with your child, it tells them that you are going out of your way to set aside time to just have fun with them. This isn't homework time or chore time. This is a time when you are letting your child know that you want to spend some time with them just for the sake of spending time with them.

Play time helps you to see the lighter side of life. As a parent, I sometimes forget what it's like just to be silly and have fun with my son. Every now and then I have to remind myself to just relax and enjoy him. I spend so much time teaching him, directing him, chastising him. Shouldn't there be some room for nothing but laughter and silliness? It actually benefits me just as much as it benefits him. Laughter truly is the best medicine!

Show your child another side of you. I wake up every morning thinking of the things I have to get done that day. Before my feet even touch the floor, I'm thinking of the goals for the day. And truly, .I'm thankful that I have to ability to set and accomplish goals. But I don't want my child to think that there isn't another side to me, a side that knows how to be ridiculous and fun. It's important for every child to see that in their parents. We aren't just the providers and caretakers. We all the models for them to base their own actions on.

A play date gives your child an excuse. My son might roll his eyes when I tell him we have a play date, but I know he enjoys it just as much as I do. And sometimes I know he only plays with the friends that come over here because he's lonely and there's no one else here for him to play with. But, on the days when we have play dates, he still has someone to play with and he gets to blame me if he has to tell one of his friends not to come over.

Play dates give you an excuse. Some weeks it seems like all of the running I do is centered around what other people need. While I don't mind helping other people, sometimes it just feels good to not have to worry about anyone but the people in my own home. So, when I played Kinect with Hunter the other day, it didn't hurt me one bit to answer the door and tell the neighbor that no, I couldn't give her a ride because I was busy with my own son.

For all the appointments you schedule and all the things you do, shouldn't your child know that you are willing to set aside some time just to have fun with them? They're kids. They aren't supposed to be serious all the time. And as a busy adult, you can only benefit from having a play date with your child because you not only get to know them on a different level, but you get to have some fun yourself!