It is not easy to take your child to another persons house. First you have to get them out the door, which could take hours, then once at their home you must keep your child from destroying that house. Most of my mom friends as well as my family and some other friends understand the challenge that it is to keep a child entertained and happy and so they aren't too bothered by my child getting into everything they can reach, and it is greatly appreciated. However, I am sure some of my fellow mothers have been in a situation where they want to see their friends but feels judged in a non-child friendly home. I have put a list together of some of the things I have experienced in those situations.
1. Those DVD's (or books).
I understand that you like to proudly display your movies or books, but those things just call out to my one-year-old. It is an item that you have put on higher shelves or behind doors at the first curious reach from your rolling baby. Yes, they have their chewed up cardboard or plastic books in easy reach but the crisp bindings and delicate state of your DVD's and books call to my child to play with them. I love chatting with you but my sleep-deprived brain and two hands can only do so much. Listen to your story. Grab my child. Put three movies/books back. Move my child. Nod at your story (what did she just say?). Pick up three more items and put them away. On and on. Yes I brought a few toys to keep him occupied but he already held those for five seconds, so can you blame him?
2. Your Fancy Dishes.
I love to have a nice dinner with my husband and family. If I could have nice, fancy dishes I totally would, but I have a little one who grabs at my plate and pushes it to the ground the moment I place him on my lap. These dishes wouldn't be so problematic if you had a high chair for my child, and honestly I don't expect you to. You don't have a baby so I'm not saying you need to cater to me and my family. That being said, please don't wince and groan when my child grabs at my glass when I take my first, cold, bite of food. I am just fine eating off of a paper plate, in fact it helps give me peace of mind because I really don't want to break your dishes.
3. The (Absolutely Delicious) Food.
Please don't get offended when my son takes the fantastic dinner that you made, and I am thoroughly enjoying, and tosses it on your floor. All I am asking here is that you understand that my child, even though he will eat anything and everything off the floor, spits most things out and throws it on the floor. In fact my little boy wants to eat everything that mommy or daddy is eating that doesn't mean that he will like it or want to keep it in his mouth. He finds great pleasure in throwing food (hey, this way he may eat it) just to see a reaction.
4. All the Drawers That Are Easy To Open.
While I am putting the movies away and trying to respond to your comments on what happened in the most recent box office hit, my son is probably in your kitchen opening in the drawers and pulling out your Tupperware containers and lids and spreading them around while simultaneously pulling out your pots and pans lids and banging them on the floor. Please don't remind me that my little one is making a mess of your house. I know. In fact I am trying to get your movies re-alphabetized and Tupperware put away before the fast little one can get into the chemicals under your sink.
5. Stairs.
He knows how to go up but cannot safely come back down. But those stairs are like a magnet and he has to find out what is at the other end of those stairs. Can I just put a chair in front of them? That way I would have at least thirty extra seconds to run and grab him before he dives down them. I really am doing my best to listen to you, I am just going to run and grab my baby and drag him, kicking and fighting, back to the living room (and movies).
Oh my dear friend, I do love to come over and chat with you! I understand that you aren't used to my sweet child and his curiosity I'm not trying to destroy your home. I just ask that you be patient with me and my little one. I am already worried about being a good mom and stress about those other moms judging me. I am already worried about anything that baby boy might get in to while at your home. I feel bad that I am so preoccupied with my my little one that you feel left out. Please be kind, and patient. I am doing my best!
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