The Not So -Perfect Playdate

Always Expect The Unexpected

BY CHERYL MAGUIRE

When I married my husband, I thought that I was done dating. It turns out, I was wrong. I went on several dates with people I met from the library and the Internet. The dates I am talking about are a different kind of date — you know those dates you go on for your kids — playdates.

When my 2-year-old twins and I went on our first playdate, I was just as nervous as a “real” date. I met the other mother online through a mom’s group so it was a “blind date.” She had a daughter the same age as my twins.

Questions rattled about in my mind.

Would this woman be “normal”?

Would my kids get along with her daughter?

Would we get along?

Would my kids want to play with her kid?

And most importantly… Would her kid be up for the challenge of playing with my mischievous twin toddlers?

We met at a neutral, safety-proofed, public location — the library. Luckily, it ended up going well. So, another playdate was scheduled.

The next playdate did not go as smoothly as our first one. This time, we went to the playdate’s house. When we arrived, I scanned the play area, which was safety-proofed, but it wasn’t “my mischievous twin toddler proofed.” I guess that might be one difference between having a singleton and twins.

A gate was up to contain them in the family room, but it wasn’t securely attached to the wall, just sort of jammed between some sofas. Plastic plugs were in most of the electric outlets, but I saw some stray empty ones.

My twins immediately sought out the weak areas. They pulled at the TV cords and went behind the television. Once I unplugged the TV and blocked it off as best I could, it was no longer interesting to them.

They then sought out other vulnerable areas. My son plowed through the feebly assembled safety gate as if he was Godzilla knocking down a building. After he opened the gate, my twins and their playdate went running in opposite directions — free at last!

My first instinct was to chase after the most menacing twin. When I found him he was bathing himself in toilet water — gross! Even though I was thoroughly repulsed, I cleaned him up and then knew I had to find his twin sibling.

As I turned the corner, I found my other twin with a mouthful of cat food. It must have been quite tasty since she was going back for seconds.

Like any bad date, I knew that we needed to leave before someone got hurt or I threw up. Fortunately, the mother was very understanding.

Besides being mischievous, my twins are also endearing because somehow, they got asked out for another playdate. This time I suggested meeting at my house where I know the gates are secured and we don’t have any unattended cat food.

Cheryl Maguire, the mother of twins and a daughter, finds the humor in not-so-perfect playdates.