Comments on: Sappy But Happy

By: My Tiny Kingdom » Take Off Your Pants

My Tiny Kingdom » Take Off Your Pants — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:53:55 +0000

[...] seasonal Sharpie waistband ritual is yet another reminder of how quickly time passes– at times the minutes crawl, but the years are gathering [...]

By: K

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:26:38 +0000

my parents had friends over and went to friends for Rook, socializing, but we kids went too and played with the friends’ kids. My husband and I have followed our kids all over the country with the sport they were involved with - they were both determined to play ball and subsequently earned scholarships, but it was hard work for all. Our “vacations” were taken in cities where there were American Legion tournaments or AAU tournaments (Pensacola, Knoxville, Nashville, St. Louis, Walt Disney World, Panama City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chattanooga, etc.etc.)so we got to travel too. I think a big reason parents stay with their kids these days is that the world is so scary, you wouldn’t dream of just dropping your kid off at a social event and picking them up later (common in my town in the seventies). I do see some parents who take it a little too far and the kids are too dependent on them to function once they fall out of the nest. You have to have a balance of responsibility, which I think you do beautifully.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:10:59 +0000

We do both. We have friends over, while the kids are up, and while they are in bed.

We do tend to have date night and go out a couple times a month. Usually only once, but I don’t think its a bad thing.

I truly think there is a healthy balance. Family time, kid time, mom and dad time. While its very important for us to spend time with our kids and have family time. I think parents need friend time and couple time too.

By: Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants

Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 03:03:40 +0000

Oh, those boys are growing up to be so handsome. I have all boys-9,6,3,1 and one on the way. As the oldest son gets bigger, I appriciate the little ones more and more…
My childhood? A lonely only! That’s why I have a big family now, i guess!
Welcome to our Cliq! This is my first visit to your blog. Where have I been…under a rock? How’d I miss you all this time? D’oh! I have alot of archives to go through!
Hugs, Alli aka-Fussy

By: Major Bedhead

Major Bedhead — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:53:52 +0000

My parents did a little of both - some going out/vacationing alone, some as a family, with other friends thrown in. It was good. I spent a lot of time with adults, since my parents didn’t tend to have friends with children my age. I was also an avid reader, so when I got banished to my room on the nights of the parties, it was more of a relief for me than anything.

We tend to do things as a family most of the time. My husband and I will go out together, alone, sometimes. I go out on Friday nights, to a book group or to a friend’s house, just for a break from everything. Once the babies are a bit older, we’ll probably start doing more day trips as a family. Right now they’re too young to get too much out of it, but it won’t be much longer.

By: Paige

Paige — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:58:50 +0000

We went to Baton Rouge last weekend to stay with friends and go to the football game. But more often than not, we appear to be replicating our parents’ habits of getting together with friends and drinking/eating while the children play in the house and yard.

I don’t think that’s so bad.

By: mom2ameliaB

mom2ameliaB — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:35:48 +0000

My momma and daddy were also keen on trippin’ the light fantastic whenever possible, but they also made a point of allowing our house to be the gathering place for the extended family, which included my first cousin who was more like a sister. I spend almost all my time with my daughter and husband, but occasionally get to take in a movie by myself. We really don’t have any friends and my husband’s brothers are SOOO involved in their children’s lives that they don’t even have time for family gatherings like I enjoyed as a child.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 01:45:53 +0000

Great post. Our kids are younger but we’re trying to do something similar. I have only let my 2nd grader to one activity (soccer) this fall - when I told a friend that my son comes home every day after school (soccer is in the evening and weekends) to do homework and hang out I thought her jaw was going to hit the floor. What’s nice is that our neighbors’ kids are around, too, so they play out in the yard a lot. So much more relaxing for me, and we really get to enjoy each other. I love it! And by the way, I see a lot more people living this way here in Chicago than I did in San Francisco. It’s one of the things I love here.

By: Lake Lurker

Lake Lurker — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 01:44:29 +0000

Anne- I just read your latest tale having had withdrawls since I left for a hospital/legal conf in S.F.We had our 4th serving of mussels since Tuesday. There are no door knob rules on the left coast!!As a parent of three, you’re right on!They grow up fast and it’s all about the stories and times that the five of us relish. But even though we are empty nesters, the fact that we stay together as much as possible is the greatest blessing of all.You and Bill should stick to your guns, you’ll love the outcome.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 22:55:26 +0000

I think there’s a balance. My folks went out quite a bit (I could smell Shalimar while reading your post!), but we also did family things. They took vacations without us, but we did more family vacations than not. I, personally, think it’s really important to have that adult time so that when the kids are gone, we still know how to enjoy each other. On the other hand, I enjoy spending time with my kids. Most weekends we hang out. We do a lot of trips together. But hubby and I also have an occasional trip alone. My parents STILL take the same trip every year that they took when we were kids. They swear it’s kept their marriage alive.