My son and I were out Tuesday on a playdate at our Korean friend's house. It was like a United Nations kind of a playdate (so we joked) because we were of different nationalities - Filipino, Korean, Columbian and Italian. Our boys were of the same age and they have almost the same interests. Imagine having four toddler boys in their terrible twos all playing in one roof, it was a riot. They all liked to play with the same toy at the same time, so most of the time we could hear screams of "Mine!" or "My turn!" while they were wrestling for the toy. The house was pretty big, very ideal for running around and they've got all kinds of toys you can imagine. But still, they ended up wanting the same toy.
Anyway, we all had fun. It was a very nice break for us moms, we had some 'adult' talks and we had some impromptu craft session too.
We put together a card for our sons to take home, it was really cute. Then we had a wonderful lunch that fueled the boys again and they went running around pushing toy cart and stroller. I thought that in a few minutes they will all be tired and will be ready to get home. But oh geez, it took a long time to convince them to leave. My son didn't want to go home anymore. He was arching his back and wiggled down while I tried to carry him to the foyer for his shoes and jacket.
Twice I tried to get him, twice I failed. So I used the last card I know, reverse psychology. I told him "Ok anak, if you want to play some more, then go ahead, but mommy can't stay anymore, mommy needs to go home and take a nap." Then I turned my back, I put on my shoes and jacket and pretended I was leaving. And then immediately I heard little footsteps behind me calling "Mom, go home too." I hate to do that, but I just have to be creative. While on our way home, I kept talking and explaining about 'when-its-time-to-go-home-and-take-a-nap, we-have-to-leave' things, he was already dozing off in his car seat.
Anyway, we all had fun. It was a very nice break for us moms, we had some 'adult' talks and we had some impromptu craft session too.
We put together a card for our sons to take home, it was really cute. Then we had a wonderful lunch that fueled the boys again and they went running around pushing toy cart and stroller. I thought that in a few minutes they will all be tired and will be ready to get home. But oh geez, it took a long time to convince them to leave. My son didn't want to go home anymore. He was arching his back and wiggled down while I tried to carry him to the foyer for his shoes and jacket.Twice I tried to get him, twice I failed. So I used the last card I know, reverse psychology. I told him "Ok anak, if you want to play some more, then go ahead, but mommy can't stay anymore, mommy needs to go home and take a nap." Then I turned my back, I put on my shoes and jacket and pretended I was leaving. And then immediately I heard little footsteps behind me calling "Mom, go home too." I hate to do that, but I just have to be creative. While on our way home, I kept talking and explaining about 'when-its-time-to-go-home-and-take-a-nap, we-have-to-leave' things, he was already dozing off in his car seat.
Sometimes we really have to be creative. Buti pa kayo may playdates. I'm a single mom without a yaya and it sometimes gets hard to do other things especially if your kids need you almost all the time =)
ReplyDeleteWow, what an interesting to get together with other nationality friends. Btw, I usually do that too the reverse psychology thing. It works all the time with my daughter.
ReplyDelete