Playdates at home or at the playground are a great way to pass time during holidays or summer vacation and even on weekends. While the hours do pass by quite fast for a mom who is catching up with her mom friend while their kids are playing, and for the kids who are having a blast, wrapping up the playdate is a tough experience that requires a lot of patience and sometimes, creativity.

I’ve had my share of difficult moments on almost every playdate that required prepared solutions or ones off the top of my head. While I vow to myself every time that I shall never again take the kids out with their friends due to the tasking efforts I make, low and behold I’m back at it the following week.

These are surefire tips to convince your toddler or older child to leave the playdate that won’t make you lose your calm in public:

Promise them that another outing with the same friend they love will follow very soon after.

Get something new with you, as simple as a sticker book, and tell them if they leave now they will have it.

Tell them that if they leave instantly you will take them to the market or the $1 store and they get to choose one item they want.

Inform them of the next day’s plans and make them seem super exciting so they will forget the playdate they are on and hurry home to prepare for tomorrow.

Ask them to help you check where you parked because you absolutely forgot and need their assistance.

Inform them that you have prepared a delicious lunch/dinner waiting for them to devour once home.

Tell them that their dolls need showering and if they make it home early they will be able to bathe them.

Warn them gently that if they don’t get home early there won’t be any time left for their bedtime story.

Maria Hage-Boutros Najem

Photo: www.fishphilosophy.com