One of the many new experiences as a mum is to host a playdate for the baby friends you make. This weekend I have invited over a mum friend and her little one for a few hours to play and have lunch together.
Hosting a baby playdate can feel like a lot of pressure for it to go well, however if you just aim for everyone to have fun then it is successful.
My mum friend is someone who I have been speaking to on Peanut an app for mum’s and dad’s. We’ve been speaking since we were both in the 2nd trimester and we’ve already met up once before. Her little girl is 1 month older than my son and we regularly talk over Instagram now.
Planning ahead for hosting the playdate
One of the important things to consider is your babies routines are probably not going to match. You need to time it around naps and maybe around feeds also depending on comfortability. We’ve planned to meet from 11;30 until 3pm. Knowing the end time is also really helpful to both parties so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
I will be cleaning all his toys that I am going to have out before and after so both children are safe and we’re making sure neither of them are ill before meeting as it is flu season!
Food and Snacks
As we’ve planned to have the playdate over lunchtime I asked what they would like to eat and we’ve chosen pizza which is simple and quick as we’ll both be occupied with little one’s I didn’t want to cook anything complicated and leave her to look after both children.
I’ve also mentioned that she is welcome to bring food over for the playdate as both of us are feeding milk and puree’s to our babies until they can eat solids. I’ve let her know what I have so she knows if she wants to bring anything with her.
Comfortability during the playdate
As my mum friends daughter has not been around cats before I will be keeping them away from her and occupying them with a treat toy in the other room to match her comfortability, as I would expect someone to do for me and my son.
We’ve discussed toys and what both our children like a lot since having them so they both have similar interests of what they like to play with which makes it easier.
Sensory Playdate
I will be trying to do a sensory playdate and have a sensory bowl for them to play with, which could be either pasta or rice and I like to do themes for my son. I also have a water mat which they can play with a move the fish around and well as a light up carousel.
The most important thing is everyone has fun and enjoys letting them all play together.
What themes have you done for sensory play?