Taking Your Kids to Parties

I remember a friend once said he would not allow his life to change due to kids.  “I’m going to take them with me to restaurants, parties, and camping!”  At first I laughed, and then had kids, and realized I agreed with him.

I’m so glad I DID take my kids out to restaurants and stores when they were babies.  I got use to the strategy of packing them up and how to handle a restaurant or a store with little ones.  Plus they got use to being around people in social situations.  That doesn’t mean they’re perfect angels every time. I still have to be prepared to keep them occupied with snacks, small toys, coloring books…etc

It’s football season and that means football parties.  Today I took the kids to our friend’s party, but only for an hour or so, as I didn’t want to interrupt nap time (skipping the normal nap time can ruin a day).

It’s fun getting out and having the kid(s) enjoy a different atmosphere and other people, but it is work and I never really get time to pay attention to the game.

The other week we had a football party at our place and I hardly had a chance to glance at the game. I made a comment about the rain, to which my friend replied “Steph it’s been raining for an hour already.”  During that hour I was talking with each guest and running after the babies, it can be really hard to pay attention to much else.

For new parents I always recommend get out of the house with the baby.  Its important to find a good balance between going out and staying in.  The more you go out with the kid(s) the easier it becomes!