To think that meeting up with others who also have toddlers sounds nice, but in reality is shit?

[MeNeedSleep]

I have a 7yr old & a 3yr old. We met up with friends today who both have 3yr olds. My 7yr d was in school.

It always seems like a nice idea, meet up, they play, we chat etc.

But in reality other people's toddlers really piss me off. It's fair enough that I have to deal with my own dd's 3yr oldness, not wanting to walk, whinging, walking in random directions, waving sticks about, not wanting to sit and eat, or share etc.

I really like my friends but when you have to deal with other people's kids doing it too I kinda always wish I'd just gone out on my own with dd. My friends were probably thinking the same thing!

I have a 7yr old and when we go out with friends who have dc if a similar age it is fab! They play well, entertain each other, eat well, share well.

I know in a few years my friend's 3yr olds will be a joy to be around. But atm, the reality is shit!

This is what I assume its like, I've never tried going out with others children! I love my time alone with toddler DS. I'll wait until they're not little loons

Yup and two toddlers can be about ten times the work of 100 toddlers when they're in the "she has a bigger bit than me", "of all the thousands of toys I have to have the one he has" stage.

I always assume it'll be great spooky but rarely is!

3 is a really tricky age imo. Far worse than 2.

A toddler will often demand attention as soon as his/her parent speaks to another adult. Parents set up such gatherings to try to save their own sanity and give their children the chance to play with one another. At its worst there will be a jealousy-fest on the part of the children and a thoroughly frustrating experience for adults whose attempts to have some intelligent conversation are constantly stymied by clamouring children. Things do get better as others have said. Toddlers are tyrants.

Oh I do know things get better. I love spending days out with my 7yr old and his friends/family. They're generally active days out and I can't wait until my 3yr old (and her friends) are at the stage were they can ride their bikes for more than 5 minutes without having to inspect a stone or sit down! Although at same time I don't want to wish it away!