any suggestions?

mrswilkes2011 · January 2014

My husband and I are the ONLY couple in our somewhat large friends circle who dont have kids. Everytime we try to get together with some of them for a day or dinner the conversation is about their kids, and it always has to be a kid-friendly dinning option or kids included events. We dont mind attending birthday parties, etc, but every now and then we just want some adult time with them like dinner or a golf game kid-free. Anyone else have this issue? How did you work it out? We love our friends and their kids, but trying to have an adult conversation with a two year old throwing a tantrum in the background is impossible. We know a babysitter can be expensive and kids change your prospective on things, but any suggestions on how to get an adult night, even if its every couple of months or so?

Spin313 · January 2014

People talk about what they know: their kids, their work, the sports or shows they watch... If everyone else has kids, it's natural that they would be a common topic of conversation.

Have you tried planning adult only nights out? Maybe a fancy restaurant or a comedy club? My DH and I have started planning game nights once a month with another couple. We alternate houses and head over after bedtime, so only one of us has to get a sitter.

WendyGR · January 2014

I would think of something that would be kid-free and put out some feelers to see if there would be any interest (wine tasting or checking out a new microbrewery, for example). I feel lucky in that our friends have grandparents around who like to take their kids for weekends so we do get some adult time (although, we do love their kids so we don't mind dinners over at their house). But, they make a point to say that even though they love their kids they need their own time too. I know not all parents are like that.

It might also be time to expand your circle of friends/acquaintances. DH and I joined a couple of meetup groups and clubs so we have more options.

TarponMonoxide · January 2014

You got me on this one.

The then-H insisted on the same thing: Every party had to have all the kiddoes included.:(

Leftie22 · January 2014

I've been on both sides of this, and all I can say is that it's possible the parents would like an adult night too, and just can't manage it! Not everyone has people who can babysit, especially at night when it involves the tricky business of putting a baby or toddler to bed. Maybe try for an afternoon or dinner together, when it's more likely that the parents will have someone who can do childcare that doesn't involve bedtime? Or, if the kids are older, suggest a party where kids are at the first part, then have a sleepover at whoever's house they're at, so the parents can let loose after the kids are asleep? It is tricky. As much as I hated it, I naturally drifted from my friends who didn't have kids after I had mine. It's just hard to coordinate schedules, and kids are really needy in the beginning. Good luck!

any suggestions?

Re: any suggestions?

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