kfk
12-18-2006, 12:21 PM
O.k. That's a slight exageration. What I really mean is I'm never going to an event at somebody else's house that doesn't have similarly aged kids again.
Thanksgiving at my friend's was hard enough, but at least I felt the hosts made an effort (they even bought some new books and cars for the boys), and the older kids in attendance interacted with the boys, and the twins eventually simmered down after dinner.
But last night's Hanukah party at my brother's was the worst. All the electronics/phones, even the menorahs, candles, etc. were at little kid level. Plus the house is multi-level with no railings. And the doors have those lever handles that are incredibly easy to open. Oh, and an open heating grate on the living room floor, just begging to have toys dropped in. The boys were just really active after the hour long ride to get there, and it was dark and cold outside, so running around outdoors wasn't an option. They had no interest in the bag of toys I had brought for them. They got into everything, over and over. The only other child was my 7 year old niece who has about 5 minutes patience with the boys and then checks out. My SIL made no effort to interact with them (a whole separate bitch). My brother was busy doing all the cooking. The other adult guests were doing adult things: drinking, eating and having conversation.
My boys are active, but usually not this wild. What is it about being in someone else's non-little-kid house that winds them up?
The whole event was so stressful (plus I'm feeling very sick and exhausted) that it just wasn't worth it for me. I guess we're going to have to host holiday stuff ourselves (in our tiny apartment). At least the boys have moments of calm at home.
Thanksgiving at my friend's was hard enough, but at least I felt the hosts made an effort (they even bought some new books and cars for the boys), and the older kids in attendance interacted with the boys, and the twins eventually simmered down after dinner.
But last night's Hanukah party at my brother's was the worst. All the electronics/phones, even the menorahs, candles, etc. were at little kid level. Plus the house is multi-level with no railings. And the doors have those lever handles that are incredibly easy to open. Oh, and an open heating grate on the living room floor, just begging to have toys dropped in. The boys were just really active after the hour long ride to get there, and it was dark and cold outside, so running around outdoors wasn't an option. They had no interest in the bag of toys I had brought for them. They got into everything, over and over. The only other child was my 7 year old niece who has about 5 minutes patience with the boys and then checks out. My SIL made no effort to interact with them (a whole separate bitch). My brother was busy doing all the cooking. The other adult guests were doing adult things: drinking, eating and having conversation.
My boys are active, but usually not this wild. What is it about being in someone else's non-little-kid house that winds them up?
The whole event was so stressful (plus I'm feeling very sick and exhausted) that it just wasn't worth it for me. I guess we're going to have to host holiday stuff ourselves (in our tiny apartment). At least the boys have moments of calm at home.