How to get a toddler home after a playdate?
My almost 2 year old son loves having playdates and I enjoy getting him out of the house but every time I try to get him home afterwards he throws a huge tantrum and sinks to the floor. It is so embarrassing and makes me dread playdates. How do you get your toddler to calmly leave and make it a good experience? Once I try to pick him up or he sees that we are leaving there is no getting to his level to talk, he just full throttle sends it and I can't even take him to a room to get him to calm down when it's not my own home 😅
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My almost 2 year old really likes saying by. If I just pick him up to take him out he would very upset but I tell him it’s time for the next thing (whatever that may be) and to say “Goodbye!” And he has been surprisingly good at saying bye bye!! (Although he can be extremely loud and repetitive once he gets started!
That sounds terrible!! One thing is prepping him in advance. Before you go to someone’s house talk about the plan. Give him warnings before it’s time to go, and then perhaps even set a timer so it’s less personal— you can practice leaving at home when the timer goes off. When it goes off— what do we do? We jump up and say bye and leave our friends house— type of thing. A lot of convo and prep before and after. Maybe have a small reward waiting on the other side- so there’s something he’s looking forward to doing when he leave. Specific songs you will play in the car- his favorite snack in his car seat on the way home— something like that. Help him to identify his feelings and verbalize “it looks like you’re disappointed that we have to leave…” make a plan for coming back— be sure he knows what to expect before you walk into the space so he’s prepared to leave before entering. Good luck mama!