Playdates and parties

Last month, Yang and Yu were invited to a birthday party and a playdate respectively. Yang's classmate stays near Beauty World - sounds near but it's a long walk from the bus stop. Yu's classmate is at East Coast - very far but is right behind a bus stop.

I wasn't particularly keen on Yang's invitation as it wasn't a good friend. I think he wanted to go coz he had good experiences at birthday parties. But he also said he didn't want the classmate to feel alone. Awww... So I agreed to the invitation.

Yu was keen to play with his classmates. I agreed to the playdate before I knew the location. But had I known it beforehand, I think I would still agree.

I try to let them go whenever possible coz I had childhood trauma. I can't remember whether I heard it from the horse's mouth or through a mutual friend, but this primary school classmate said she didn't invite me to her birthday party coz I always needed to ask my mother who would always say no.

Maybe it was an excuse since we weren't close anyway. But still, it was a fact that Mother always said no to such things. She even said no to the post-PSLE trip to the beach organised by the more street smart kids. I told CY sadly that I couldn't go and her mum kindly called Mother to persuade her to let me go.

Anyway, so yesterday when school was out for 2025 P1 orientation, I brought Yu to the East Coast - bus 106 to Napier, TEL to Marine Parade, bus to the house; bus to Marine Parade, TEL to Caldecott, Circle Line back home. It took over an hour each way. So tiring. But Yu had so much fun that I found it worth the effort :) I also took the chance to get a foot massage while waiting for him :p

On the train to Marine Parade

Next Sunday, we'll go to Yang's birthday party. The duration is shorter so maybe just grab some coffee?

Anyway 1 - their classmates are from all over Singapore! Kai had a playdate somewhere near Paya Lebar. I organised a playdate with Kai's classmates, one of whom came from Bedok. Yang's best friend stays in Sengkang. And now Yu's friend in East Coast. I guess they probably entered the school under alumni phase. Unlike me who entered a primary school right across the road, and all my classmates live around the school - very easy to go to each other's house.

Interestingly, I've met mummies from four countries already - local for sure, then PRC, Korean and even Ukrainian!

Anyway 2 - it's interesting that these days, playdates and parties are arranged through the parents. Back in our day, it was all by ourselves - discussed playdates with friends in school or be invited in school, went home to seek permission, RSVP-ed with friends in school. In fact, some classmates just showed up at my place after dropping off their bags in school - afternoon session - coz I was just right across from the school!

Now, the kids get party invites directly from friends. Then they come home to seek permission, and I RSVP to the parent through WhatsApp. As for playdates, it's so far been parent to parent. In this case, technology seems to have robbed our kids of some form of independence and self initiation, though it probably eases parents of some anxiety...