We went to friends house on Xmas day for dinner

OMG - my DH and i were exhausted by Christmas eve!! We took the kids to a friends house (they had about 30 people at their house, including about 15 kids!) for an afternoon and supper. It was good to get the kids out, but it was NOT fun. We spent the entire time making sure the kids didn't break, or get into anything they shouldn't, and that the kids didn't put small toys in their mouth, not to mention cleaning fluids and plants! Regardless of having one-on-one coverage my DD still managed to fall down the stairs outside (she fell down 2 stairs), which resulted in a huge crying fit. Honestly, DH and didn't get to sit down for even 5 seconds!!
All the other parents (whose kids are older) were sitting around chatting, eating, and singing songs (and looking at us as if we were crazy!)- we couldn't participate in anything!! ugh!! Then one of the moms came up to me and said that she has kids that are 18months apart so she knows exactly what I am going through. I smiled and nodded my head (because whenever I hear that I just think its better to smile and nod then say what I really think). She proceeded to tell me how hard it was to have a baby in a carseat and chase around a toddler.
I am just hoping that things will get better, I am not asking for a lot, I just want to eat my meal in 5minutes instead of 45 seconds, and I would love to sit down for a total of 5minutes in 3 hrs! Is this asking too much??? ugh, ugh, double ugh!

 

Sorry you all weren't able to enjoy the party like the other adults. UGH! :hug: It is definately a twin parent thing though....no rest for twin parents. <_< DH and I are the same way at get togethers right now. I agree with you, it is fun to get out but it is exhausting. I have heard from other twin parents (outside of TS) that age 4 is when it starts to get easier. Can anyone approve or discount that?? I am holding out hope. :blush:

 

Glad you got to get out! I agree that it is hard work. Which is probably why mine stay at home a lot :blush:

 

It was about the same for us. We got there early at least and there weren't many people until we left, but yeah, I didn't get to eat much at all because I was always chasing DD (while dh sat with DS on his lap, grrrr). Oh, and you know, 'those' kids who take a cracker from the serving tray, take a bit and put them back? yup... mine.

 

Well, mine are definitely less maintenance at 4, but the fighting is worse, so I do have to watch out for that. Age three actually wasn't that bad, either. My house has never been super baby-proofed, so they learned early on not to open cabinets or get into things. So, I never had to worry about that.

The big thing I think that makes a difference is the people you are with. When I am at my families' things it was always easy. Everyone took part in watching out for the kids and told me to sit and relax. After all, I did this everyday, they could handle a few hours between the 20 of them! But, at DH's families' it was much more of a chore since no one ever tried to help and I ended up following the kids around all day.

But, I tend to be pretty laid back in general. So, even when following them around I never stressed about it. I just gave them some rules (you have to stay together, don't touch, etc.) and reminded them every time it was needed. I also made sure to bring some entertainment - cheap toys that wouldn't kill us if they got lost, travel Aquadoodle, etc. That way, I could distract them for a while and keep them in one place within sight so I could sit for a while. Also, if needed, DH and I took turns so the other could relax.

It does get better with age. But, planning ahead with ways to keep them entertained can go a long way!