PSA- if you want your kid away on playdates a lot, maybe teach them not to be a jerk
A single mum in our school relies on a lot of other families including me for (free) childcare via playdates and sleepovers because she has no family nearby and has a job that is extremely family unfriendly. I say childcare because most of these visits are requested to either provide her with a break to have downtime or to enable her to work. 100% a rough situation and lots of sympathy.
Where it gets hard is that the kid has been getting progressively harder to host- the 11 year old does not ever want to do anything the other kids want to do but will also not suggest alternatives, so it becomes everyone's problem to find activities that are tolerable to them.
Additionally, the kid is generally poorly behaved and inconsiderate as a guest- constantly spills drinks and ignores requests to stay at the table while eating, wipes dirty hands on upholstery and walls, never brings plates to the sink, leaves used tissues tucked into the couch etc.
In the latest instance, the kid decided to have multiple storm-out-sessions and a meltdown at our place.. the meltdown culminated in them making up of being beaten and bullied by the other kids during the playdate to their mum at pick up (wildly exaggerated from kids trash talking during a board game, which the child initiated) and then requesting to have room service in my kid's room for dinner because they didnt want to be outside with others.
The mum then lectured the kids (in our home) and the kids were thoughtful and empathetic to the idea that the child was upset but appalled by the allegations and rather shaken.
Needless to say, the child is no longer welcome in our home. Providing free childcare over a weekend and then dealing with this tire fire is not what anyone needs during their free time.