The Play Date Dilemma

Okay Kansas City moms and dads, I need your help. One ongoing situation that we encounter in my home that I think many of you can relate to is the play date dilemma. That dilemma being, what do you do with the child who doesn’t have a friend over? I understand that she would like to join in with her sister and her friend, but I also understand that sister and friend would like some time alone to play.

We encounter this on a fairly regular basis and I have tried several solutions and none seem to be what I am looking for. Here’s what I’ve tried:

1.      Have a friend over for each girl. All this seems to do is increase the amount of bickering as there are now two younger girls trying to play with the older girls.

2.      Set up an activity that all three children do together and then let the two older ones go off and play on their own. You know how this one ends…younger one in tears because she is being excluded once the together time is over.

3.      Have babysitter over for younger child. Of course then all the older girls want to do is hang out with cool teenaged babysitter.

4.      Set up a special activity for me to do with younger daughter while older has play date. Works for a while, but I have things I need to accomplish at home. And then younger one goes off and bothers sister and her friend.

5.      Divide up the time…your sister joins you for half an hour and then you and your friend play on your own. Never works in my house.

So I am out of ideas. How do you handle this situation? Any suggestions on what works for you will be most appreciated!