As a mother, especially of the stay-at-home variety, you know (or will learn) that playdates are mandatory for happy living. The first time I heard the term “playdate” I thought it was for the children of socialites and debutantes. Little did I know it would soon become my lifeline! Now that I am a self-proclaimed expert, I’ll share some my perfect playdate tips with you:

1. Pick a Friend

Don’t invite everyone you know. It’s not a carnival. It’s a date. So pick one friend your kid really likes…or one mom you really like!

2. Pick a Time

Kids have about an hour to two hours max in them. If your kids can do more, it doesn’t mean the other kids can do it. Be respectful. Leave ‘em wanting more.

3. Pick a Spot

Playdates don’t have to happen at your house and in your playroom. In fact, my favorite playdates are the ones that are far far away from the mess and confinement of my little house. Here are some of my favorite playdate places:

• a fun park and playground (KaBoom has local reviews)
• libraries (they always have storytimes and almost all of them have puzzles, toys and rocking chairs!)
• Pottery Barn Kids (they host special events like singing/story times and holiday events)
• Mall playgrounds (great for cold days–my favorite is North Point Mall)
• Local bookstores (they usually organize a story time, but they almost always have a train table and are most-likely hooked to a coffee shop for some grown up indulgence)
• inflatable playgrounds (I like Monkey Joe’s because they have FREE wi-fi!)
• Museums and other “grown up” places (get on their email lists because they always have preschool or kids events)
• Field Trips (think local farms, art studios and workshops)

4. Pick up.

Clean up before you go. It’s a good habit to teach your kids and makes others happy to see you come back.

So, what did I miss? What’s your perfect playdate?