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10 replies

sg2015 · 12/08/2014 14:32

Hi there,
Just a question, how do your friends include you with things like meeting up or doing things with your children? I've a stepson of 9 and 2 boys of my own at 4 and 2 they are all at home with me and I work in the evenings. Do your friends, say with 1 child include you in things like meeting up and things? I've noticed that over the holidays none of my friends with 1 child (single parents I may add) have done anything with us. I know 3 can be handful at times but wondering I may be doing something wrong lol!? Just very frustrating at times :)

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Misfitless · 15/08/2014 17:04

Well, certainly invites to things are a lot slacker than they were when I had one or two DCs, but I completely understand why!

Mine are rowdy yet friendly bunch, and take up a fair bit of space and feeding Grin, if they happen to be invited to be somewhere when it's tea/lunch time.

We have many friends with one or two DCs, and tbh, if we turn up, I imagine those children feel outnumbered in their own home. But also, we're a lot of fun, I think.

I remember back in the day of having an only, my friend had 4 DCs under ...(can't remember, but just about a small as gap as you could possibly have). When her massive people carrier used to pull up on the driveway I felt a mixture of joy and dread of the imminent whirlwind (in retrospect, they made mine look like sleeping lions!) It was the knowledge of the mess that I'd have to clean up afterwards that used to get me!

I think if your DCs are pleasant (mine are) and have fairly decent manners (mine do) and aren't too loud (mmmmm....mine are very noisy,) people are generally OK.

I know several children with one sibling, who cause havoc when they come to my house...tipping everything out of toy boxes, never putting anything away, actually opening cupboards in the living room/kitchen (how rude!) and generally being very needy!

Having said that, I've witnessed two of mine being very needy at certain friends' houses Blush.

For me it's not the number of children who come to my house, it's the behaviour. Even if there's only one child, if they think they can run riot and jump all over the furniture, and trash my house, it pisses me off. Times that by 3 or 4, and I'd be three or four more times pissed off, iyswim.

Generally, I have noticed that I am a lot stricter with mine than most of my friends are with their own DCs.

MultipleMama · 15/08/2014 20:42

I've get to make any friends in my new area Blush I have 6 young DC and PG with #7 so find it impossible to meet others for coffee etc because who wants to have chat with 6 screaming kids around. I have casual friends who are basically parents of the kids my kids hang around with whenever they bump into each other at the park or lake. I've extented invitations to join us for picnics or to come round as the kids get on really well but always get rebuffed, I think they feel overwhelmed by my brood and that upsets me a little because I feel like I'm holding my DC back on making close friends. DH works all day and I work from home so it's hard.

2 start school at the end of this month so hoping I get to meet new friends as well as my Dc and attempt to make an effort!

When I lived back in UK my social lacked with every new DC. I lost a few friends but old friends made an effort to come round for an hour or two with their DC when I was stuck at home, and they invited me round. I miss my friends...

MultipleMama · 15/08/2014 20:49

Not that my kids scream just what people assume when you mention 6DC; they automatically think wild, crazy, running around children!

Misfitless · 15/08/2014 22:06

MultipleMama - I thought you were in the UK.

I reckon people are in awe of you, I am would be, and perhaps they're worried that if their DCs play up, they'll look like they can't cope with one/two/four whatever, when you're doing such a good job with six, and pregnant with number 7!

I know that doesn't change anything, but I suspect it's true!

MultipleMama · 15/08/2014 22:35

We moved to Germany at the beginning of the year.

If I saw their kids play up, I'd be like "finally, it's not just my kids that are mental!" Grin. Once 3 of them threw a tantrum over a swing the lady next to me look mortified as I just laughed at them while gave me the crocodile tears Grin. It was either laugh or cry at how annoyed/stressed I was.

Thank you for the kind words especially when most days I feel like I'm floundering! :)

I miss my social life. Damn my broodiness.

Misfitless · 16/08/2014 09:17

When is number 7 due? Smile

Misfitless · 16/08/2014 09:31

There is that, I know what you mean about it making you feel better if other peoples' aren't exactly being angels! Grin Just as long as it doesn't involve trashing my house or jumping all over the furniture Wink.

I bet you'll make friends when you're at work, MM, and like you said, when school starts up. (I think I've seen somewhere that you're starting full time soon, I think.)

imip · 16/08/2014 11:31

I've had this to a certain extent with 'new' friends. However, my four are close together and I've known most people before having all of them.

We usually don't do play dates, though I have a lovely neighbour that often invites all four over, no problems...! She's a star.... My dd2 suffered from anxiety and play dates don't seem to suit her, so I try to avoid them.

However, what I usually do is plan to meet people somewhere, park, day out, art and craft in local museum, library etc. so then no one has the 'burden' of us, nor do I have to cater for extras and feel overwhelmed. Moreover, we live in London, and lots of people just don't have the space for extras. I just bring a picnic, pray for good weather, and we really don't miss the play dates.

Many of dcs friends are from one- and two-child families, and I see that they are not comfortable with all my dcs, find it too overwhelming. This is more with 'newer' friends made through school.

So, I'd probably suggest meeting a load of friends at a park for a huge picnic, or when something interesting is going on locally. That could be a good step towards play dates etc in the future....

Also, when we are invited, I try to bring extra food etc, just to show that I'm aware of the extra 'havoc' we cause....

ThisIsYourSong · 16/08/2014 12:15

It might be the age split that's a problem rather than there being 3, those with younger children might think that the 9 year old won't want to hang out with preschoolers or they have no appropriate toys etc. Do you initiate get togethers?

MultipleMama · 16/08/2014 16:21

Misfit - #7 is due on the 19th January, I won't be returning to work for a while yet though! Not until #7 is in toddler school Grin

I'm the same Wink no trashing is allowed! Grin

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