Standing monthly potlucks with cooking friends

This works especially well with friends who don't have kids, because you can always host, and never need a babysitter.

Sometimes we pick a theme, sometimes we go with the season. Either way, having something in the calendar every month means that I see friends at least that often. And sharing the cooking lightens the load for everyone.

Now we let the 5yo hang out for a few minutes before bedtime, and he clearly feels very cool and grown up about it.