We recently ran into a friend of our five year olds at the grocery store. She had spent the morning playing nicely with her little sister, bike riding, skipping on the driveway but those sweet and savoury memories flew out of the poultry aisle the minute the opportunity for something more up her five year old alley became a possibility.
“Mommy! Can we have a play date right now?”
Ick.
My mind was racing trying to come up with excuses. I hate the play date ambush when I haven’t had at least a walk to the mailbox and back to prepare my list of excuses. The truth is play dates simply don’t work at our house. The older one brings over a friend and Ellie is the third wheel. Ellie brings a friend and the friend wants to play with the older sister. Once again, Ellie is left out. In any scenario, the baby is the family pet.
“We’re busy today.”
“Why-eee!” stomp. Long pause. “Why-eee!” other foot.
Other Mom: It’s okay with me.
Work with me here Mom we’re on the same team. Oh wait, you just earned an afternoon at the spa why wouldn’t you be okay with it?
This particular friend is adventurous and fun and Ellie lives for excitement. This friend however also loves to suggest Ellie should kiss any number of boys which causes Ellie to respond by digging her head in the sand and burying it like an ostrich.
I recently (yesterday)had to scream, “STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!” to Ellie who was shoving her big sister off a swing, thankful once again for the one acre distance between us and the next neighbour, wondering in a quiet moment how I could have done so on a 40’ lot without sounding like an absolute buffoon. I can’t yell like this when we are hosting someone else’s child. They’ll rat me out the minute they return home for dinner with my slimy, mango slices for a snack tucked craftily under their armpits.
The two sisters were fast friends within one minute of the near beheading by swing episode. I guess in part because they know they have to continue living with each other. When a play date goes bad, we’re stuck with a spare kid for another two hours of grudge-holding anguish.
