To be getting myself into a miserable strop about New Year's Eve yet again?

[solidgoldbrass]

OK, so I am just not the sort of person who prefers to be sitting on the sofa watching television on a designated party night. That is not my idea of a good time and never has been. I want to go out and see people and have fun. I am not comforted by the idea of 'lovely nibbles and pampering at home.'
And I thought we were sorted for this New Year, been invited to party at friends' house which was going to involve other friends with DC so could take DS and all would be well. Unfortunately the other people with DC are now not going, and there won't be any DC of DS' age group, and the party is miles away and means an overnight stay. So I am fretting that we really shouldn't go to that party, and trying to find something more local but without much luck. It could be partly because the majority of my good friends are child free or at least small child free and therefore the bulk of them are going to be doing non-child-friendly stuff at New Year and that's OK but I do find myself feeling that maybe no one likes me, or no one likes DS, and we are social pariahs.

So host your own party and invite friends with DC in appropriate age group.
Done.
Or you want to party where you don't have the stress of hosting? Then that is BU.

Ah SGB I absolutely cannot believe that it's because no one likes you or DS. I'm sure it's just a set of co-incidences DS's age.

How do you feel about getting a babysitter and going out with your childfree friends? For me, Christmas is all about the kids, totally - but New Years Eve is for adults, so I'd have no qualm getting a babysitter.

What are the people with DC who aren't going to the party now doing? Could you do something with them? Or would that just be sitting around at theirs?

Similar situation here. We've decided to fuck it and host (again...)

Well I would host but most of my mates with DC live miles away, and the house isn't big enough to put them up overnight. The other friends who were going to the party have to stay in cos the H is on call.
Though DS' dad might be prepared to look after DS, I would feel a bit mean as DS, who is 7, came to a party with me last year and loved it and wants to go to one this year too.

I really sympathise, I've stayed in (unwillingly!) for NY Eve for the past 10 years because it's the grandparents one night out of the year (so no babysitter), and although when I was still with ExP we used to have people round, that tailed off years ago - our friends mainly dont have DC and would rather be out at pubs/clubs or child free parties than sitting round at ours. So in recent years I've just been at home with the DC on my own.

This year, to my amazement ExP has offered to have both DC for the night.

And of course now none of my friends are going out...at this rate I'll be indoors on my own with not even the DC for company!

The MN Butlins NYE extravaganza?

Why does there have to be other children there?

Surely your child can suffer a night of adult company?

Hatesponge - sodding Murphy's Law!! Singles night out? Local pub? One friend who would go out into town? There must be something??

SGB - well, maybe you will just have to explain to him that there isn't a party going on where he could attend, it's not like there is and you are choosing not to take him. Wouldn't he have a good night with his Dad?

I am working until 11pm = how depressing is that.

I would rather work until 1am so I had a good excuse to not be out. I would go out if I was invited...

Hmm. I have just found out that one of DS' favourite miniature railways is open on New Year's Day. So if DS' dad is (as he probably will be) not fussed about going out on NYE himself and willing to look after DS, then I will take myself off to see my favourite band and then take DS to the railway on New Year's Day.

same here - waves at Sponge

went to a party a few years ago when h of friend looked after dcs - this year a friend is coming round but will be a very quiet night.

rarely get invited to anything on NYE

always a bit of a damp squib IMO

solid - that sounds like a good compromise, am sure the prospect of the railway will distract your DS from missing a potential party.

scl - I know what you mean, I have to say even when I was young NY Eve was never as exciting as I thought it would be! Hope you have a good evening though :)

chipping - I havent quite given up on going out, am currently trying to persuade 2 friends who (hopefully) are wavering. So all is not yet lost. It's totally Murphys law, lots of friends are going 'home' this year to various parts of the country for New Years rather than being in/around London as they normally would be!

NYE is the night that all people who don't usually 'go out', 'go out, IYKWIM. Seriously, you're better off staying in on NYE and then going on a proper bender, child-free both nights the following weekend.

hatespsonge - you are in London? Jammy git - just bloody go out, it will be buzzing, you wont be on your own for long!

Slinking the difference in Northern H & Southern H in January is immense isn't it!! Enjoyed v endured!!

SGB - that sounds like a great compromise!! DS might still be a bit disappointed but if you just tell him there aren't any parties happening where children are going this year then hopefully he will be OK. It's not like you are making him miss out on a great party that he could go to (and even if you were, it's NYE so I'd say 'tough luck champ').

That sounds like fun SGB, do it! :)

We were discussing NYE today, & 11yr old asked why we couldn't just go somewhere that Nana would like too. Erm, that would be because Nana isn't invited because she'll be babysitting!

Explained to him that in 7yrs's time he'll be out with his friends on NYE & will want nothing to do with me 'but you're the only person I know who likes a kebab after bedtime. Oops!

Could you ask a friend of your Ds and take two boys to the party? We've done that a lot of times as our Dd is best friends with our best friends daughter so if we go to a party and the kids come too she always has someone so we often ask a friend of Ds's so he has some one too.

Lolli- nice idea but the party is in SHeffield and we are in London and I am not up to taking any of DS' mates, most of whom are lovely but a handful, on a 3-hour train journey and an overnight stay...