THE SHORT SET: RULES OF PLAY-DATE ENGAGEMENT

Play dates are social must-dos, especially for sibling-free children, but just putting two kids together is no guarantee they’ll run off, giggling like Teletubbies, into a bright land of glee. And while a park might seem like a good location for a play date, the first play date should ideally take place in the familiar confines of one of the kids’ homes. Recently, I took Nipper (an only child) to a play date and things were looking grim. He and his host exchanged mumbled greetings and the motherly coaxing of “Look! A pirate sword!” failed to liven the mood. But just as we moms were going to drop some cookies into the mix (sugar being the cocktail of play dates), the host kid flopped down on an area rug and rolled himself up into a taquito to get his mom’s attention. Nipper laughed hysterically and the play date came to life. They took turns rolling each other into the rug, launching a spinning frenzy that lasted well into the afternoon until both boys ended up ecstatic and exhausted. The lesson? Just let the action happen naturally -- and never underestimate the power of an old rug on the floor.

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-- YoMama@latimes.com