In those first few months, the new baby will keep you busy around the clock, which may leave your older child feeling a little bored and frustrated. Many moms solve this problem by setting up play dates for their firstborn, so she can have fun and stay busy while mom’s caring for the baby. Try these tips for a successful get-together:

Keep it short. Experienced moms know that the most successful play dates have a set start and end time, and usually last no more than two hours to avoid the kids becoming bored and frustrated with each other.  

Choose compatible playmates. It’s a good idea to try and to find friends who are close to your child’s age and have similar interests.

Pre-plan some activities. Unstructured play is great, but some moms also like to set up art supplies or games so the kids have some defined choices about what to do.

Remove potential problems. If your child has a special toy that is hard for her to share, it’s okay to put it away for the play date to avoid a possible meltdown. Great tip!

Schedule a snack. Simple snacks like pretzels, fruit or yogurt offer a fun diversion during the play date and can help keep kids from getting grumpy. Just be sure to ask your guest’s caregiver about any food allergies before you serve them.