To think my dad could have arranged a meal out at a convienient time.

[thedownwardspiral]

I know I am but can i just have a little rant.
My parents invited dh and i to go with them for a meal to celebrate their ruby wedding, of course we would love to go, also invitied my brother and wife, they can't make it now so just us.
Anyway i have managed to organise a baby sitter so i asked today what time it would be and where, my mum didn't know where but told me they would pick us up at 6.45, i have 2 dc's under 5, most of my friends also have and there is no way i can get a babysitter for this time so I don't know if we wuill be able to go.
i know they invited us but i just think they could have realised how difficult this would be for us, dh doesn't even get jhome form work until 6.30pm.

Why not just explein the difficulties with the time. They probably just haven't thought about it.

are they retired?

I find that retired peeps very quickly forget how difficult it is to juggle work, kids and getting ready to go out.

We don't eat until 8-9pm most nights and my MIL thinks this is slatternly scandalous!

my dad is not the most flexible person, yes they are retired but I don't think they would change table booking.

Well either they change it or you can't go - it's not deliberate on your part.

6.45?

How bizarrely early!

Can you not meet them there a bit later?

Ok phoned my dad and they said they will change it to 7.10 pick up, still too early. argh why do old people eat so early.

they knew it would be difficult to arrange a babysiter anyway (they are my usual babysitter) never mind a babysiter who will put the dc to bed as well as get someone to look after there own.

lol

for my dads 60th he said he would ake the family out for a meal

great, we thought

he booked the "early bird" menu

meet time was 5pm !!!!!!!!!!!!

because they get tired earlier. Is 7.10 really too early for you?

So when they said "we shall pick you up at this time...." why didn't you just say, "actually, sorry to be a pin but that's too early for us wrt babysitters, could you make it this time instead?"

?

a pain, not a pin....but if you choose I suppose...

so weird early eating AND a tightwad too

5pm is a late lunch in my world

I would be starving again at 9pm

Yes, I think you need to explain clearly what time you can do this, and leave it there.

&pm is a normal time to gout for me - does that make me old?

ui must be old as well

Are you panicking because you're not used to getting babysitters? Will it be a friend? If so, she'll be used to getting kids to bed.

I've babysat this early - I just leave my kids with dh to sort out.

8 usual for me too

It is just that it is not suitable for any of our babysitters without causing them major inconvience, I was really really looking forward to actually going out with dh for once.

YANBU! what person with small children would be ready to go out at 7.10? unless your babysitter can put them to bed or they go to bed really early?

I have dreadful memories of eating out with my grandparents at about 6.30 pm in empty and deathly quiet restaurants, meal finished at 7.30 and home by 7.45!

Well, I'd be ready! Of course a babysitter can put children to bed.

I suppose everyone's situation is different.

have you asked your babysitters, or are you assuming it will be a major inconvience for them?

No I have asked, her dh also works until 7.15.