Partying with Children

After a Halloween event today my husband and I stopped by a party a work friend of his was hosting.  He had mentioned that he would bringing me and our daughter so they could meet us and the guy made it seem that was okay.

Well, I’m sure it was, but when we showed up there were no other kids and most of the adults seemed frightened by the tiny child in their midst.  It brought back memories, I remember being that person.  You know who I’m talking about…  The person who doesn’t really understand children and doesn’t exactly like being around them.  The person that when someone shows up at the party with a kid your just kind of like, really?  Why the hell did they bring a kid?  I felt very uncomfortable and of course because the house isn’t even remotely child proofed I spent the whole time on egg shells waiting for Kaylee to break something.

The good news is that Kaylee wasn’t unnerved by the large deer heads on the wall and it didn’t take her long to warm up.  I would like to say she charmed them, and she probably did to some extent.  But I remember being those people, the ones without children.  They say they want one (most people do) but when confronted with the prospect of socializing with one you’re totally at a loss.

Also, it was strange being the only mom at the party.  These people don’t understand how distracting it is to have one eye on your child at all times, so they probably thought I’m severely flaky or else extremely shy.  I had nothing to talk about, because it’s hard to let loose and unwind with a child at your knee.  And I definitely wasn’t going to have a beer.  I can’t imagine being half inebriated while attempting to chase my kid down.  It’s funny to think about, but in practice it certainly wouldn’t be.

But one very funny thing happened tonight.  Some county deputies stopped by to get some of the yummy food.  The one guy was walking through the room; Kaylee walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his leg.  They both stood there frozen in time and finally Kaylee stepped back and seemed scared, while the office may very well have been as scared as her.  Of course the explanation for this is that daddy also wears dark pants and black shoes all the time.  I would give almost anything to have seen that officers face.