The Dinner Party Is Not Dead

If your friends miss your homemade veggie lasagna or molten chocolate cakes, there's no reason they -- and their kids -- can't come over for a dinner party. When you want your party to revolve around witty banter and wine rather than temper tantrums and whining, you might consider hiring and in-house sitter to tend to the little ones.

Ask around

• See if your friends seem interested in pooling funds for several sitters.
• When you send an invite, whether on paper, by phone, or by email, ask parents to let you know if they'll be bringing their kids.
• Once you know the number of children attending and the number of sitters you'll need (generally one sitter for every three kids, unless there are newborns), let parents know how much they'll be expected to contribute.

Prep for your party

• Have each parent email you basic information on each child, including allergies, special needs, and behavioral issues. Compile a list for the sitter, and include who the go-to person is for each child, should a problem arise.
• Choose kids-only and grownups-only rooms or floors of your home. Make sure everyone -- parents, sitters, and kids -- knows the boundaries.
• Have party food for kids on hand, even if it's just pizza and snacks.
• Introduce each parent and child to all the sitters.
• With the other parents, come up with a list of group-appropriate activities that all the children will enjoy.
• Let the sitters know which grownup will be checking in on the group, and how often he or she will stop by.

Decide which parent is the "designated grownup," so someone can be responsible (and sober) should an emergency arise.

The bottom line

The dinner parties you threw years ago don't have to be a thing of the past. With careful planning and coordination, you -- and your children -- can enjoy a fabulous evening with friends.