The Etiquette of Play Dates

I haven’t always been tidy.

I haven’t always been organised.

That is until I left home and until I had my children.

It’s important to me that I’m a good role model to my children.

The term ‘role model’ covers many different aspects. The way I behave in front of my children, interact with others, the way we live our lives and maintain ourselves and our homes. The way in which we go about carrying out certain tasks, the way we talk, the language we use and even the food we eat.

Today’s post though will cover the way in which we behave when in someone else’s home.

I’ve always believed in being courteous, polite and treating other people’s homes with respect. With that in mind if I’m offered a drink or something to eat, I’ll always take my plate or mug out to the kitchen and pop it in the sink.

If I’m giving something to eat which results in me being left with rubbish, I’ll always take it out to the bin.

I’d never dream of leaving my rubbish in someone else’s house or of leaving my mug etc on a shelf or table.

When it comes to playdates I always keep a close eye on our girls. I wouldn’t want them to start pulling toys out of draws, boxes or anywhere else for that matter.

I’ve always taught our children that when in someone else’s home, you don’t go into their cupboards, you just play with the toys that are out and when you’re finished you tidy them away after yourself.

When I leave someone’s house I always offer to help tidy up the toys.

Even at the play group we go to, the children and parents are expected to help tidy up at the end. It’s just the polite, courteous thing to do isn’t it?

When we’re at home and our girls are playing with their toys, I’ll ask them to help me tidy up when they’re finished and they do so without moaning because they know it’s the right thing to do.

It always amazes me when someone never offers to help tidy up, take their rubbish with them or leave their dirty dishes sitting on a shelf.

Maybe it’s me being a bit obsessive, but I just thought it was the norm to do these things! What do you think? What do you do?