Going to parties just isn't the same when you have three two-year olds in tow. It's so much work we sometimes find ourselves asking each other why we bother going out in the first place.
We went to a birthday party Saturday (first of two that day - joyjoy) and of course the kids wanted to play outside with all the other kids. The other kids ranged in age from three to ten. Our little toddlers thought they could do everything the big kids did - this kept RD and I on our toes intercepting one fiasco to the next.
As we're taking turns minding the madness, sweat beading up on our brows, it's hard not to wish we were back in the comforts of home. It's always easier on the hometurf, right? But that's what you do. Stay in the game I guess. Reach out to all friends for that small chance of adult interaction. Throwing out reminders that we're still among the living. Don't forget us, we hint! Yes, our kids can be terrors, but we're still fun!
Of course other parents are more than eager to point out that three is harder. "Just wait," they say, "You think it's bad now, wait until they're three and talking back." "Bring it on," I say. It's not the attitude that challenges me when out at parties, it's the constant supervision that a two-year old requires. Correction - the constant supervision that THREE two-year olds require - three two-year olds going in three different directions. I know the supervision never really STOPS, but you can let a three year old play in the backyard and watch from the deck. You have to physically be IN the yard when the two-year old is out playing. You have to be ready, always ready, always ready. I just want to relax. I can't wait until I can let them out to play and be able to turn my back for even a minute. Sigh. I can't wait to go to a party and actually eat an entire plate of food while the food's still warm. Okay, that might be years off maybe, but it's got to get a wee-bit easier, right?
But there will always be challenges. Once you get over one hurdle, there's a new one to face. Ah...the joys of parenting.
