Don't think I can be bothered to stay with friends overnight.

[pongonperdy]

We have been invited to stay with some friends for the weekend with our kids. They are 2 and 4 . Our friends don't have any kids. They live a couple of hours away so we could just visit for the day. They want us to stay so we can "make a night of it". The thing is it won't be a lot of fun trying to get 2excited kids to sleep in a strange place. I will probably have to spend most of the evening upstairs trying to settle them. I don't think it will be much fun for the adults if we just let the kids stay up.

I just don't think I can be bothered with the faff of taking baby monitor, sleeping bags etc. The problem is I don't want to offend them by saying we will only stay for the day.

AIBU for not wanting to go?

Sorry meant what Ilk ?

Imagine how you'll feel on Saturday night if you decline their invitation. The DCs will be all tucked up in bed, sure. But you'll be watching shite on the TV (Saturday night TV is dreadful) and possibly fall asleep on the sofa.

I almost always regret declinging invitations when I can't be arsed. So these days I don't

declining

ILk = 'of the same kind' = people who think similarly.

I can pack for ds1(6) and ds2(2) in an hour.

I can manage with little. If I forget something, "we'll live".

Chippin, you and I are of the same ilk. I've be over in an hour
Likewise, you are welcome to come on over. I cook a damn fine curry and have beer and wine in stock always

It's 1 night, packing might be more than for just you and DH, but it's not that bad and it's amazing what you can manage without when you don't have it.

I'd be reluctant like you, but I do think you should go. I put off staying with my sister when my DSs were small for exactly your reasons. The first time we did stay was a nightmare, as you suspect it could be, but the 2nd time, when it wasn't so new and exciting was absolutely fine and has been ever since. It is lovely to be able to get together now, whith DCs happy upstairs and no-one having to drive home.

See it as an investment - you never know these friends could be the answer to your overnight babysitting needs, once your DC are used to staying there!

Oblomov - sounds good - curry & a beer!

Oblomov I know the meaning of the word I just wasn't aware that having a baby monitor was out of the ordinary or somehow put me in a separate ilk.

I wouldn't have a baby monitor for a 2 and 4 year old. They can call if they have a problem.

And taking children that age is not nearly as much work as with a baby. They can eat pretty much anything - beans on toast, microwave dinner, cereal for breakfast - and they can lay in bed watching DVDs till they fall asleep. One night of that won't hurt!

Other than that, it's PJs, toothbrushes and a spare outfit, which you probably carry around with you anyway.

Don't see the problem - relax and enjoy it. And if your 2 year old won't settle, strap him/her into the buggy to watch DVDs and inevitably they fall asleep eventually.

More sleep on the drive home if they really need it, then on with your Sunday!

I didn't mean the baby monitor specifically.
I meant I am of the ilk to think that anything is more-than-manageable, with a tiny bit of planning.
Even the original thought of worrying about any of this, would not be my 'ilk'.
It would never have occured ot me to worry. Of course we are all a tiny bit anxious the first time we do it.... will we be o.k. ?
But more worrying than thta, I would not do.

Try not to worry so much. As another poster said, whats the absolute worst thta can happen ? Talk about it to dh. And then yiur friend. say , if its not working, worst case scenario, we would drive home at night.
Not the end of the world.
Bet you wil go and have a fab time.

Omni, better start cooking.
Best we just make it a party, eh everyone. come on over !!

We have to take 14mo DD with us when we're away as we're often over the other side of the country planning for the summer camp we help run.

Definitely use their towels etc but agree you'll want to take your own travel cot, small selection of toys, beaker, bib etc. We also take our cheap ikea highchair whenever possible as it's much easier to feed DD when she's strapped in.

We bring food with us and simply feed DD when we need to. Easy treat foods (like fish fingers & chips) are quick, easy and DD loves them. She'll fill herself up nicely so she's not hungry during the night. I might stop at a supermarket on the way to pick up supplies.

We follow our usual routine and she's used to the cot.

DH does half the settling if needed or we tag-team if she's taking a while so I'm not with her for an hour or so; 30mins each is much better for socialising. We use an app on our iPhone as a baby monitor (it'll call another phone if she cries) so don't need to take our monitors.

Pongonperdy, I am a great worrier too. And strong on routine. And a hopeless overpacker. BUT I would say go for it - we go away a lot at weekends to stay with family and friends and it has always been fine (DD now 7 but we've done this since she was a baby). Yes it might take them a while to get to sleep and yes they might wake up early in the morning and everyone will be tired and grumpy next day, but I think its a good thing for children to get used to staying in other places and seeing how other people live. And hopefully you'll have a great time. Just pack everything you think you might need (better than worrying that you havn't got something once you've got there) so long as you can fit it in the car. I would do the packing yourself, DHs not usually good at this - make it his job to cram it into the car!

Meant to add that your friends might like to do bath time (ours do!) and definitely head to a park to wear them both out