I love this: "The invitation did say noon to 2pm, right? It’s 1:40 already and the kids are still playing pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey..." I think I'm The Hider 😃
Hider here but I've got an angle which is to run the grill whenever possible which makes it seem like I'm helping but really I'm just avoiding everything
Can one be the draftee even when I am aware of the upcoming party but do nothing to prepare for it? My gift will not be from the liquor store but will be one of the many I bulk buy at Christmas when I am sure that I have failed to buy my children the appropriate number of gifts, and then, just before Christmas Eve, begin pulling out a multitude of gifts that have been hiding in my closet and about which I completely forgot. These excess gifts will be my birthday party gifts for the next 12 months. I will also likely get the time wrong (especially if you do something weird like a noon start), will not have filled out the trampoline park's waiver prior to arrival and there is no way I remembered those special socks. And, I brought the sibling because I did not read host's note and assumed that all kids are welcome. See y'all Saturday.
I'm feeling self-conscious about being a helper now. Last summer I served as a second lifeguard with host dad at a lake swim party in a local neighborhood my son was invited to. I brought a swimsuit and a towel for myself just in case I was called into action. I also love to cut and serve the cake. This is making me feel like I'm a weirdo now. Anyway, I just can't handle standing around.
I have been very fortunate that my wife allows me to do a series of errands for the family in lieu of birthday party participation, and honestly, it has worked out much better for our family.
They are real, actual errands and not just snipe hunts....I think.
We didn't attend a child's party this weekend but an adult one with our child. My daughter's response to the party was telling her Opa (who she sees maybe 3 times a year (emotional baggage)) that "me no like you birthday party. No balloons, no cake, me no like." I couldn't blame her either because I saw the receipt for our overly priced run of the meal seafood lunch at the Opa's favorite restaurant and I too wanted to say, "me definitely no like."
Oh, I am definitely the Hider. I just hang out with my kids the whole time because I like them way more than some rando. As my social anxiety has waned with age I'm starting to think I didn't miss out on all that much.
Youngest's 7yo b-day party is at the trampoline park in two weeks because they gave us a card with a discount on it when another kid had their b-day party there a few weeks ago.
The Childless Friend Who is Trying to Help But is Clearly Baffled
I love this: "The invitation did say noon to 2pm, right? It’s 1:40 already and the kids are still playing pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey..." I think I'm The Hider 😃
Hider here but I've got an angle which is to run the grill whenever possible which makes it seem like I'm helping but really I'm just avoiding everything
LIFEHACK: marry a helper
The only downside is that she’s been a bridesmaid close to 20 times, and that’s been expensive.
Can one be the draftee even when I am aware of the upcoming party but do nothing to prepare for it? My gift will not be from the liquor store but will be one of the many I bulk buy at Christmas when I am sure that I have failed to buy my children the appropriate number of gifts, and then, just before Christmas Eve, begin pulling out a multitude of gifts that have been hiding in my closet and about which I completely forgot. These excess gifts will be my birthday party gifts for the next 12 months. I will also likely get the time wrong (especially if you do something weird like a noon start), will not have filled out the trampoline park's waiver prior to arrival and there is no way I remembered those special socks. And, I brought the sibling because I did not read host's note and assumed that all kids are welcome. See y'all Saturday.
So nice to see introverts (Hiders) recognized in a piece like this. Usually we're completely ignored (which is how we like it in real life).
Perfect timing - my soon to be 7yo daughter is hosting an Übernachtung bday party this Saturday. CANTWAIT.gif
You were the Draftee this past weekend, weren't you
Did you get cake? It wasn't something gross like coconut right?
I'm feeling self-conscious about being a helper now. Last summer I served as a second lifeguard with host dad at a lake swim party in a local neighborhood my son was invited to. I brought a swimsuit and a towel for myself just in case I was called into action. I also love to cut and serve the cake. This is making me feel like I'm a weirdo now. Anyway, I just can't handle standing around.
I have been very fortunate that my wife allows me to do a series of errands for the family in lieu of birthday party participation, and honestly, it has worked out much better for our family.
They are real, actual errands and not just snipe hunts....I think.
Weird how these are also relatable to Work Parties.
We didn't attend a child's party this weekend but an adult one with our child. My daughter's response to the party was telling her Opa (who she sees maybe 3 times a year (emotional baggage)) that "me no like you birthday party. No balloons, no cake, me no like." I couldn't blame her either because I saw the receipt for our overly priced run of the meal seafood lunch at the Opa's favorite restaurant and I too wanted to say, "me definitely no like."
Have balloons, have a cake.
I usually end up being the volunteered helper because I'm useful for grunt labor.
Children's birthday parties are back...
[John Waters doing a Vincent Price thing at the end of Lonely Island's "The Creep" voice]
...For now
Oh, I am definitely the Hider. I just hang out with my kids the whole time because I like them way more than some rando. As my social anxiety has waned with age I'm starting to think I didn't miss out on all that much.
Youngest's 7yo b-day party is at the trampoline park in two weeks because they gave us a card with a discount on it when another kid had their b-day party there a few weeks ago.