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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to plan to meet for lunch at a time that fits in with my 18 month old?

241 replies

backtotheplanet · 31/03/2014 15:20

My parents are retired and my sister works for 1 hour a day in the late afternoon and is currently studying part time. They wanted to arrange to meet for lunch in a restaurant where they live which is no problem for me at all. I suggested meeting at 12 so I can get my active 18 month old DS1 settled and started on lunch, in the hope of keeping him occupied and avoiding over hungry and tired meltdowns and this was all agreed.

My Sister called the evening before and asked to if it was possible move the time because 12 is a 'bit early for her' and she has been a bit 'nocturnal' recently (she doesn't have children btw). Unfortunately my explanation of why I had suggested 12 didn't go down well (it was not the immediate agreement was hoping for) and although we could have been a little flexible with the times, I didn't get the chance to work it out. She very quickly lost her temper and in the end she called off the lunch.

This is not the first time my family have expressed mild shock at arriving anywhere this early in the day and I'm finding myself in a difficult position. My son wakes at 7, generally eats around 12 and sleeps around 1:30 -3:30 /4. My family really don't do mornings and its always difficult to find a suitable time to make everyone happy. We can be much more flexible in each others houses but restaurants are one of those places that my son just wants to explore and run around in. He will eat, but not sleep and can do about 30 mins max in the high chair. For other reasons that I won't go into my mum wanted to meet in a restaurant this time.

AIBU to ask my family to meet a bit earlier so that we can eat lunch at a time that fits in with my son? Is 12 really too early?

When I apologized to my mum for the lunch being called off she did say 'well, lunch is usually at 1 o'clock'

I am feeling really disappointed that my family, who don't seem to have any obstacles to getting to the restaurant at 12, other than what time they get up in the day, can't be more understanding.

OP posts:
drspouse · 02/04/2014 10:17

ceeveebee, you do have the kind of timetable that randomly varies from day to day - as your DTs don't know which day of the week it is. But you are basically lucky that they do not have a melt down if they don't nap till 4. As I've said upthread, food is easier as you can add in snacks. We are occasionally lucky that we can sometimes achieve a nap on the way home from town in the buggy (never on the way there, it's too exciting). But given the choice between post lunch screaming, or politely excusing ourselves at 1 (12 if not offered lunch) to take DS home, we now do most of our socialising in the morning. A long car journey home after a morning with friends is also good for naps. Nearby friends are ok for a 4ish meetup, too, after nap.

It's not the end of the world if we have a meltdown instead of naps, but if it's avoidable, it's good.

MaryWestmacott · 02/04/2014 10:18

Ah Calamitously - DH would be like that if he was organised enough to realise he needs to eat at set times, he just becomes stroppy and snippy until he eats. My brother is the same, his DP has been known to force a chocolate biscuit on him half way through an argument and refuse to discuss further until the sugar has hit. Usually, they can then calmly discuss whatever is the problem.

MaryWestmacott · 02/04/2014 10:21

And suddenly typing htat, I've had a lightbulb moment, I had said earlier that DC1 was a "rigid meal times or melt down" child until 3 years old, but so far, DC2 (10months old) is a lot more flexible, dispite being parented the same and attempts at flexibilty tried with both, and just realised, DC1 is a boy, DC2 is a girl, and all the men in DH's family and my family get stroppy when their blood sugar drops, whereas the woman seem to cope with hunger and irregular meal times a lot better. Is it a physical thing rather than a routine thing?

whatever5 · 02/04/2014 11:28

I'm sure whether or not a child is flexible is a combination of personality and parenting style. It is irrelevant really though in this situation. For whatever reason, the OP's child isn't very flexible regarding meals/nap times so the meal won't be much fun if they don't have it at 12.

whatever5 · 02/04/2014 11:29

is irrelevant isn't relevant

Thumbwitch · 02/04/2014 13:37

Calamitously - my DH is the same! He pretends not to be sometimes, but he is completely ruled by his body. He gets up ridiculously early, around 5:30 every day, because he claims he needs to be in bed before 9pm. Well, ok, but if he went to bed later, he'd get up later and then he'd be ok the next day to go to bed later etc. Before we had the boys, I'd managed to get him to stay up until 10pm, and get up at 6:30/7; but he's back to his old ways now and I can't be bothered to fight it.
He becomes almost incoherent if he doesn't eat in time. Has half the conversation in his head instead of out loud, which then makes his conversation bizarre and somewhat hard to understand! So we have to work around his mealtimes if we're out - luckily it fits in well with DS2. DS1 is like me, he's not fussed when he eats; DS2, you can tell when he's ready for lunch and dinner.

guinnessgirl · 02/04/2014 14:38

ceeveebee, regarding having to go home for naptime every day being restrictive: yes, yes it is. It's fucking annoying, restrictive and a massive PITA, really. It's still preferable to being out at 2pm with a screaming toddler who will tantrum at the drop of a hat but who simply cannot nap in his buggy, nor calm down to suit us. We used to be able to take him anywhere and he'd nap in his buggy no problem. Then, around 14 months, he just. Wouldn't. Lie. Down. so we started bringing him home after lunch to nap. So yes, we rarely go out for the day ATM. We plan our days around going out in the morning and coming either for, or after, lunch. He's 3 now and just starting to cope better on the odd early afternoon that we stay out. We just got used to the idea that this won't last forever, one day we'll have day trips again, but right now it's what works best for us.

Theodorous · 02/04/2014 16:22

If she doesn't have children she must be inferior

Nanny0gg · 02/04/2014 18:44

I wish people would realise that just because something works for them it does NOT mean that it will work for others.

The OP has stated very clearly what works for her family. Just because your child could be taken for Afternoon Tea with the Queen, having not eaten since the night before, not having slept for more than 4 hours in 24 and then not having a meltdown does not mean the same for others.

And imnsho, it is more down to sheer bloody luck than any superior parenting styles. As many on here with more than one child can attest.

Sheissmallandveryspidery · 02/04/2014 19:12

So many posts here have annoyed me.

All babies and kids are different so that must be considered.

Secondly I feel strongly about my 17monrh old's routine because my anxiety and PND is hugely exacerbated by uncontrollable screaming and crying caused by hunger and tiredness. Plenty of tantrums aren't avoidable but this kind of thing is so I work things to work for me and my mental health. Friends don't get that and I'm sure think I am precious but bugger that. I have to look after my sanity and save my coping for when there is no alternatives.

halfdrunktea · 02/04/2014 20:00

YANBU, 12 is fine for lunch and if your parents are retired I don't see how it's a problem for them. Adults can adjust their routines and eating patterns more easily than toddlers can.

TheRealAmandaClarke · 02/04/2014 22:25

I find the intolerance of people's requirements in relation to their small dcs a bit tiresome. Why the derision about "massive changing bags" and needing to stick to their routine? Its like ppl get In a stew because they can't bear what they perceive as some sort of vicarious "preciousness".
piss off.
I missed if there was an update op. did you go to lunch?

quietbatperson · 03/04/2014 10:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Purplepoodle · 03/04/2014 11:39

Have just spent the last hour chasing my friends 18th month old around costa, we didn't get to chat much lol. Each mum knows their kids. Some adore routine and are hellish if deviated from (I'm looking at you dc1 who insisted on lunch at blooming 11.30). Some kids are laid back and happy to go with the flow (dc2). You do what suits your child.

Call off lunch and ask to meet them later for coffee or something. If they really wanted to meet you, they could do so at 12 and just have a coffee with you. Then you could shoot off and they could have lunch.

Our children are only little for such a short time

cloggal · 04/04/2014 20:53

Slightly off topic, but NannyOgg I always agree with you, I wish you were my MIL.

There I said it.

Sheissmall true friends will not give a tiny toss and will support you. I think it's terrible that mums are so sharply judged - you're not precious at all.

TheRealAmandaClarke

cloggal · 04/04/2014 20:54

Grin quietbatperson

Hope you got your lunch OP, with or without DSis.

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