My child is not going to have any friends!!!

A couple of weeks ago I got an email from another mom saying that her son talks about my son all the time and wants to have a play date. Huh???? You talking about my kid?!?!

So let me understand you correctly, my kid talked about poop and farts so much that he made your kid laugh. Your kid came home talking about “how funny” this kid, Drew, is. And from that you decided to set up a play date. Boy, did you have no idea what you were getting yourself into!!!

I have never been in a situation where Drew has had a friend separate from me before. I don’t know the mom, I don’t know the kid and I don’t know how to facilitate a play date at the tender age of five where they are too old for mommy and me play dates but to young to fly solo. What to do???

I instantly extend myself, willing to host this play date. I can barely handle the three kids I’ve got, might as well add another one that I don’t know at all into the mix, right? So here we are, second five year old in tow. This is gonna be really good…Drew will happily play with his friend and NOT drive me crazy for a solid hour or so while Gabby follows along enjoying all the fun stuff going on. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have spent the entire play date trying to engage Drew who either wanted to hide under a blanket, go outside when the friend wanted in, go upstairs while the friend wanted down, etc. etc. This play date really ended up being my play date with another five year while carting around a crabby baby and wrestling my three year old. Play dates are so dreamy.

I can’t help but worry, I know what else is new, with how kindergarten, new surroundings and new friends will shake down for my five year old. How do I help him through this anxiety ridden time when I want to strangle him for not rolling with the punches better? How do I manage the fact that he has all these nerves for something as small as a play date and this is one of the best parts about being five? How did I make a child that may in fact be my clone?