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
I don't blame him!!! I wouldn't want a house full when I got home from work either. I am a SAHM now and yes it is a lot of work... but so is going to work all day. I persoally enjoy cooking dinner and spending family time alone with my SO. So many of you think your SO's should just bow down to whatever you want... you need to get over yourselves!!! Relationships are a two way street. You need to take care of and do things for EACH OTHER. It's not like he said any of this in a rude way... it was actually pretty funny. Good for him.
I dont go to playdates.... but I want too!
I don't get the "play date" thing. My kids have friends, I had kids in and out of my house all day. There was hardly ever a day that I did not have a gaggle of kids in my yard or mine was up the street in another yard. What happen that now we need to make a date? Oh, and befor anyone says anythiny thing, yes I worked.
I never did playdates and never will. I don't like when I get visitors and they stay until late.. and me, to not be rude attend them instead of doing what I'm supposed to. I adore my privacy and my SO's. If my kids wanna play I'll let them play, but outside with the neighbor's kids and there's a kid in every apartment here. I'll feel like I'm being suffocated to just catch up and watch children play. No, not my thing.
I'm a SAHM and I would never have people over after my husband's work hours without letting him know. I personally wouldn't want to come home after a day out (at work or not) and find a bunch of people I wasn't expecting in my home and I wouldn't do that to him, either. I worked full-time until we had our daughter, and I know how jarring it can be to go from work to home, where you start to get in that mind-set of okay, my day of dealing with other people (not my family) is over and I can relax. Then you get home and realize oh no, gotta put the "face" on again.
He never has a problem with me having people over, my friends or the kiddos', but I never just spring it on him as he is walking in the door, either. It's common courtesy, I think. Treat your spouse as you would like to be treated...
I am with the4mutts
lol