Moms, I need to talk to you about a very serious issue affecting us dads. Don't worry, it has nothing to do with your parents, those new shoes you bought, or even "getting busy." No, this one's all about the kids. Specifically, it's about playdates.
Don't get me wrong. I understand the value of a playdate. The kids get to interact with friends in an environment outside of school. It's fun and helps teach some great social lessons, yadda yadda. Whatever. I just want to know why they have to last so friggin' long?
I'm not talking about the kids who relentlessly whine that the playdate was "soooo short," even after spending six whole hours together. I'm talking about when I come home from a rough day at work at 7 p.m, the last thing I want to see when I pull into my driveway is a blue or white minivan that doesn't belong to me.
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I step in the house and instead of being greeted by my two sweet little boys ... there are four or five kids screaming and redecorating our living room with Lego architecture and stuffed animal wars. And not that I have anything against other moms. You're all awesome and smart and beautiful and did I mention skinny? But to have to start meeting new people or chatting about the weather at that point, welll, it's just exhausting.
I'm not a selfish person. And I'm far from a chauvinist. But why do I have to come home with a splitting headache from work to find my house a disaster, guests who've long overstayed their welcome (we're talking an hour or more past pick-up time), and then dinner not even started? These long playdates are great because they keep the kids occupied, but the downside is that they hijack my wife and my peace of mind.
Dads, on the other hand, well, we go the other extreme. When we pick up our kids, you're lucky to even catch our name, we're outta there so quickly. We don't like talking about the playdates, other than making sure our kids had a good time. So wives, take note of your husband's speedy pickup. Less yapping and more driving.
The next time you want to chat it up with a playdate's parent, why not set a lunch date? Or call her on the phone? Because if this keeps up, the only way I'm going to get some time alone with my family is if I set up a playdate with them first.
Do your playdates run extra long?
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Comments 41
Mom spends all week tending to your house, your children, and your meals. Then schedules a playdate for an evening, and latches on to the only adult interraction other than yours that she's gotten all week.
You sound like an asshole. My SO would never, ever complain about this, even if he had worked a 15 hour day. He would come home and be glad to see civilized people that aren't ordering him around, yelling at him, asking him to do something, and most importantly, comes into a house that isn't the oilfields.
And I know what I'm saying is true, because I've done it. He wouldn't care if I had 20 kids in the house, as long as he's home.
I think you need to look at it like a house full of JOY and LAUGHTER, and a happy wife and happy kids, instead of being so damn selfish.
The guy is allowed to vent, just like moms are. He said he had a headache at the end of that day, he was venting, not really criticizing.
Feed all the pets and if its not a Friday I dont want extra people in my house.
Other peoples lonliness shouldn't have to be set aside till its convenient for ther spouse to deal with.
He's not saying his wife does this every night, he's saying that he hates when she does it, and that she should schedule her company/visits with other women AROUND his arrival time. That's what makes him sound like an ass.
Not, hey honey, let's cut the playdates tonight, I would like some "us" time.
No. Its "don't schedule them NEAR when I'm supposed to be home, because they're hijacking your attention from me"
His own words. "Hijacking" his wife from him.
He's acting like a jealous child. But since he's not a child, it makes him an ass
I don't blame him, I wouldn't want extra people in my house at the end of the day. That's FAMILY time! I don't think he's begruding her human adult interaction, but this guy only has a few hours with his kids at the end of the day. I completely understand not wanting to spend them chaperoning games and making stupid small talk.
He shouldn't be irritated about it, he should be glad his family is happy. Better than comin home to kids fighting/crying cuz they're bored.
Or a wife who starts to resent her husband for being selfish.
Playdates are like a once/twice a week thing usually. So what? 2 evenings out of 7 days a week? He should be glad for her.
Oh, and not all moms stay at home. Maybe the evenings are the ONLY time she could schedule the time? I know that I have a hard time finding non-working moms to hang out with durring the day. Evenings and weekends seem to be the only times people are free.