Photo courtesy of ESB Professional ( Shutterstock ).As the world continues its openness, parents are receiving invitations from friends and family to enjoy some good old-fashioned summer fun. This is a welcome relief for those who have been stuck in their homes all year with their children. A coronavirus vaccine is not likely to be available for children younger than 12 years of age, but this is due to the rise in social activity among adults. Our kids could be experiencing more rejections this summer because of the non-pandemic reasons parents may hesitate to say yes to playdates. As long as we decline with respect, that's fine.AdvertisementNo matter how many safety precautions have been taken to ensure a safe playdate, sometimes the host family will decline or not respond to invitations. This can lead to hurt feelings for the child hosting the party. Parents are responsible for their children's safety and social activities. This gives them the opportunity to show kindness and politeness when they receive invitations that conflict with their schedules or well-being. Ghosting another child is not cool.Here are some reasons parents might decline playdates. And (hopefully, ) how to handle it without embarrassing, hard feelings or crying.Why parents refuse playdatesPlaydates are a popular way for parents to spend some time alone and children to make new friends without the constraints of school or daycare. Sometimes, however, parents may not feel comfortable leaving their child at home.C.S. 2019 Poll A 2019 C.S. More than 41% of respondents said that they worried about their children's safety if they went to a playdate at someone else's house. This was just below concerns about swearing and being exposed to dangerous substances.A further 17 percent of parents polled stated that their decision to accept play dates was influenced in part by their child's ability to interact with strangers. More than 10% were worried about their child's fear of animals, and around eight percent were concerned about their children's diets or health.AdvertisementParents who are worried or not familiar with the status of their children's vaccinations may want to check the weather before inviting the kids to a playdate.What is the right time to decline a playdate with someone you love?While safety is the primary reason parents refuse playdates, the poll found that only half of parents had asked their parents about safety concerns before they went on playdates. Only one in four parents were asked these questions. Many parents assume their child safety values are shared by their families. Parents are afraid to voice their concerns out of fear of offending another parent or questioning their parenting skills.AdvertisementIt is easy to find out if your parents share similar safety values. Most parents would not be offended if their child's safety concerns were brought up by another parent before they go on a play date. Parents have found it useful to create a checklist and discuss food safety concerns with their child before they let them go. If you are not satisfied with their answers, it is time to decline the playdate.How politely to decline a playdateRomper says that honesty is the best policy for turning down playdates with grace and tact. Although you may not wish to explain why you are declining an invitation, it is better to be honest than to lie.AdvertisementYou don't want to offend the other parent by being too open. If you don't want to say no, but the idea of having a playdate at their house gives you pause, you can suggest that they move to your home or to a park nearby. You won't get the time alone you desire, but you won't deprive your child of important social time.No matter what you do, be prompt and polite to let the other child know.
