I have just taken my 10 year old son to friend's party nearby here. Happpened to have my nearly 5 year old on tow and the father said 'let him stay too, the more the merrier' . I could have kissed him. It's a relaxed afternoon/evening party in the garden of their house, lots of adults. I am going back soon. I am now just enjoying a bit of unexpected me time. This is the first time any parent of my oldest son's friends has ever wanted my youngest son to stay as well. OK I have friends who would take my youngest in a crisis, and a lovely mumsnet friend with a 5 year old son who has offered to have both sons for a day, that's it.
This man's gesture means such a lot to me - we have no family near us so dh and I have no free babysitting ever, ever, ever. I have been getting a bit frustrated, to be honest, with some of the parents of older, only children that we know. Unfair I know but that's how I feel. They happily take my oldest son and I reciprocate by taking their child. But the difference is, when I have their child, they are free whereas when they take my oldest we still have our youngest, so no free time at all. They know we are very short of babysitting and dh and I would really love time together. What's more, my youngest is confident and loves new company.
It's been very interesting to see how parents of my older sons' friends have found reasons not to extend invites to the youngest. I know he's bound to be more hard work, but he does get on well with his brother and older children in general, and is pretty well behaved in strangers' houses, at least for an hour or two and that's all I would ever expect. And I have been happy to take my friends' children at specific times if they want to go out somewhere. Anyway, long ramble, but it's so nice that someone has spontaneously offered to have both sons. Such a novelty