Christmas Do- too much hassle?

[Sumadoo]

Do any other parents feel like this?
I have my works christmas do this evening and after promising myself I would go, I'm thinking, what's the point?
Issues are:

-I am having to get there later than everyone else because I need to BF the baby at bedtime. I will walk in as everyone is already eating (we have pre-ordered but still...)

-I need to faff around trying to express for the 10pm feed at some point today which is difficult at times.

• It is 10 miles away so I need to drive and can't enjoy a drink

-The venue is in a town centre so I have to park my car in some dark side street and walk there and back by myself. I've tried to arrange a family member to give me a lift in their car but nobody is available.

• It's cold and I'm not looking forward to walking around the town in my heels and little jacket.

-I feel very tired and a little run down

I just feel it's all too much hassle and I'm dreaming of pyjamas and an early night. My work colleagues however will be eye rolling as every year, I say I won't drive but can never arrange someone to take or collect me.

What does everyone think before I cancel?

I hate them too, had mine last night - I drove(not as far as you have to)had to park a distance away and walk in the dark and old, couldn’t stay long and arrived when everyone was already sat - I stayed for two hours, enjoyed my meal and had a nice chat with two lovely colleagues. There were over sixty staff members and I think I spoke to about 5 in total. I actually enjoyed the short time I was there and I feel I left at the right time - ie,before the effects of the vast amounts of alcohol that were being consumed set in! I am sure they all had a lovely time:) so I would go, don’t worry about what they all think, enjoy your meal then go home:)

It sounds like a particularly tricky year if you have a young breastfeeding baby. I would sack it off for once and go next year when you’re less run down and tired from night feeds. These things should be fun, not a chore!

It's up to you, however do you think it might make you Happy once you are there? Might help you break up your routine and also how about a taxi?

Get a taxi?

I must admit I was never hugely fussed on big nights out when my DS were babies. It felt like hard work. But it's nice for you to get out and do something fun for yourself instead of just being mum all the time.

Went to ours last night.
Wasn't that fussed
But had a great time.
Had to leave bit early because dh has an early start today.
But a couple of ladies didn't come due to sickness (paid up front )
We just said 'shame, they would have enjoyed it ' and moved on.
Don't feel bad if you rather be tucked up at home.
It's only one year :)

Gosh I wouldn't go. Work Christmas do where you have to stay sober is not an attractive prospect.

In your circumstances I wouldn't bother going. Other than that, I love them. Do you have to express at 10am? I breastfed all mine and never expressed.

Get a taxi!

stay at home without all the hassle of worrying if baby is Ok. I'd enjoy every second of not having the hassle of getting ready to go out and when there talking about boring old subjects as everybody is trying to be especially happy and laughing loudly about nothing - no, every relaxing second at home would be sooo nice in comparison , but you should do what exactly what you want to do.

Sounds a right faff, I think a breast fed baby is a good reason for not going.

If you don't want to go, then don't.

I really wasn't up for mine last Friday but had pre ordered so decided to go for food and leave straight after. I ended up getting home at 1.30pm after having the best time and building even stronger relationships with work colleagues in other depts. so pleased I went. You never know with work dos ime. Expressing is always a faff but it's one night so go for it.

Lots of reasons not to go. Do you actually WANT to? Doesn’t sound like it!

I have older kids.

I didn't go to mine. It would have cost a fortune in taxis. Public transport from my village is shit. By the time I got home, got ready and got back I would have got there really late.

Instead me, do his sister and her husband sat and watched ant man and the wasp with a few drinks and a take away. Was a lovely evening.

Though I've enjoyed the few events I've been to, work do's are really not my thing. I've worked out a cunning ruse to avoid them now, no-one seems to have sussed me out yet. Happy days

I work out when the do is likely to be, and book leave, and because 'we are away' am not expected to go to the do. A few extra days off before Christmas is always a bonus.

I didn't go to mine this year. I felt so rude declining two socials, but they were both at an awkward time and i couldn't afford to go to the meal.

I never go on any evening out I don't really want to go on. Life's too short.

I think it depends on the company, I’ve been to some shite ones, but others have been great.

Was at one last night, CEO surrounded himself with new hires, and a contractor (my DH who’s their IT) plus partners. He really worked the table. People were flown in from other European offices. Fully paid for, unlimited bar.

The whole evening was brilliant mixer. And probably an influence for future promotion.