Making a play for friendship

Playdates are sociable for children, but shouldn’t be forced, says Helen O’Callaghan.

Playdates can be anxious and politically sensitive. Allow your child to pick their friends, says Joanna Fortune, clinical psychotherapist and director of Solamh Parent-Child Relationship Clinic. Children know who they like.

“It can be tempting to try to orchestrate it so your children are friends with the children of your own friends. But when this doesn’t work out, you may have put your own friendship at risk.”