Hosted a holiday party for our kids friends tonight
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Anonymous
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One parent asked if their 2 kids could stay later after the party so they could attend a holiday event solo. We said sure, we’ll put a movie on for them and our kids. Parent said they would pick up at 9. Kids have just been picked up at 10pm. They’ve been here since 5pm and we’ve entertained, fed them dinner, and cleaned up after them for 4 hours of free childcare now.
It just sucks how some people are such takers and users of anyones goodwill. Now my own kids aren’t going to bed until 2 hours past their normal bedtime just so another parent could go party on our watch. |
Anonymous
| *5 hours of free childcare |
Anonymous
| Honestly then you should have said no. What’s the big deal? |
Anonymous
| you are so kind to do that! seriously a lot of people would have said no. i also would've said sure. i feel pressured in those situations. |
Anonymous
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That is awful OP. I would feel completely annoyed and taken advantage of as well.
But now you'll have the "But it takes a village!" harpies come on to make you feel like you are overreacting. You are not. |
Anonymous
+1. Plus I’m guessing the first 3 hours were the party… you weren’t doing them a favor by giving them dinner, you invited them |
Anonymous
| I would have kept them overnight and had them in bed at 9:00. |
Anonymous
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Keep some of my kids' friends for a couple more hours? Sure. It's a bit of a strange ask but I'd be happy to have them.
Also, everything takes longer than expected, so the later pickup is just how it goes. |
Anonymous
| Once a friend had to drive two girls (sisters) home from her son’s party several hours after the scheduled pick up time. Friend texted and called the mom, with no response. Finally decided to take them back herself and the parents were having their own couples’ party at home. |
Anonymous
Choosing to stay at a party an extra hour is not “unexpected,” it’s selfish. I have never once been even 10 minutes late to pick up my kids from a friend’s house, babysitting, daycare, etc. An hour is beyond rude. If you’re the type who think picking your kids up late is no big deal, realize that you are rude, rude, rude. User. |
Anonymous
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OMG scorekeeper, just say no. Better yet, don’t host your kids’ friends at all if you’re going to complain about the part where you entertained and fed them at the party you hosted.
And no, I’m not a user and I don’t foist my kids on people or pick them up late. But, I ALSO don’t freak out about things that are NBD, like a late pickup on a Saturday. |
Anonymous
| It is not a big deal. |
Anonymous
| I don’t get the big deal? How old are your kids? Mine would be thrilled to have their friends over, seems like a win win? Maybe one day you’ll need to drop your kids off at their friend’s house in a pinch! It happens! |
Anonymous
Did they text you? I honestly think you’re a little wound up, most people are more easy going about this stuff! |
Anonymous
| Hi OP, hope your kids enjoyed the party and I know it’s frustrating to be taken advantage of. Did you know these parents were supposed takers? Now you do, and since you bit once, they will definitely ask again. Just in case you need a reminder, be prepared to say no and don’t allow them to dictate plans. They might suggest a play date and then when you say yes, they will say, “Perfect, I will drop my kids off tomorrow afternoon”. If you are put on the spot, just say, “That won’t work for us”. |