[mommymaemae]

OK... tomorrow night we're leaving the boys (seven mos) with some friends, a very sweet couple who have some experience w/ babies. I'm nervous, though. Not about leaving the boys... I guess it's not very AP but I'm usually more than happy to take off a night from them<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><br>
No, I'm nervous for our friends. I don't want this to be a traumatic experience for them. The guys have a tough time at night and get into the shrill, screamy cries. I don't mind it when the g-parents are sitting... that's their job, right <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"> but I still want these people to like us on Sunday.<br><br>
Any advice? I plan on showing up with a pizza and soda for them, I'm leaving the stroller, and we're giving them a gift cert. to go see a movie... any other ideas about how to make this experience not HORRIBLE for our friends?

 

[Twice as nice]

Dont have any advice, but from personal experience, if they are really your friends, they'll still like you in the morning <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br><br>
I had to leave my twins with a good friend once (my parents were out of town & I had class that I absolutely could not miss) and they gave her H*LL. They cried so bad that my friend, who is a mom herself, ended up calling her own mom for help. They were both absolutely exhausted by the time I got back. I felt bad and really thought that things may get weird after that, but that experience actually brought us closer as friends!!!<br><br>
Since your friends already have experience with babies, they shouldnt be too surprised by crying. If nothing else, it will give them newfound appreciation for the work that you do as a MOM! Good luck!!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[michellyn]

My only piece of advice: bring a cell phone, and if possible, call them about halfway through the evening. We left our twins with a friend for an evening, and one twin began crying partway through the evening. My friend thought it was teething, but I was pretty sure she just needed to lay down to deprogram and go to sleep. Sure enough, when my friend put her down fussy, she went to sleep in just a few minutes. I was glad to know I'd been able to help relieve the stress she encountered.

 

[royaloakmi]

I agree with the pp, just call about half-way through the evening.<br><br>
And don't feel guilty about taking time for yourself. It's really important and so many moms/parents of multiples don't get that opportunity. Enjoy!

 

[Ilovelife]

Yeah, give them a call at some point in the evening. I'd let them know to expect some crying & what you usually do (of course) just so they don't think they are doing something wrong. It may be eye-opening for them, but I bet it won't be horrifying. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

 

[Aurie]

My DH and I used to watch our friends children on occassion, baby to preteen. I thought we were just being friendly at the time, but it really was a great learning experience for us. We had some bad experiences and good, but we didn't "overly" judge our friends for those <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> J/K It all turned out well. I think they will enjoy it and you are helping to give them some parenting experiences.

 

[mommymaemae]

Thanks for all the support/kind words. It actually seemed to go well and our friends say that they look forward to doing it again! Yippee!!!! And my dh and I even managed to enjoy ourselves! Double yippee!!!

 

[Twice as nice]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>mommymaemae</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7988409"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Thanks for all the support/kind words. It actually seemed to go well and our friends say that they look forward to doing it again! Yippee!!!! And my dh and I even managed to enjoy ourselves! Double yippee!!!</div>
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YAY!!! Great to hear that it went so well for all of you!!!!!!!!!!!