Dinner out tonight...or not?

[bigmama67]

OK, I'll try to make this short...today is the day DH and I had our first date, 17 years ago. We were planning to go out to a NICE dinner tonight. I have a restaurant.com certificate, we lined up a babysitter, and we haven't been out to dinner alone together in maybe a year so we were really looking forward to it.

1. DD got sick on Thursday and didn't stop throwing up until Friday night LATE. Now she's having problems at the other end. (Sorry TMI) She is much better though.

2. Our sitter is sick so she called one of our friends who we lined up to do it in her place. We just met this girl this morning and I would hate to call and cancel but...

3. DH and I got into a HUGE knock-down-drag-out fight (which we used to have more of but haven't done so in quite a while). It's left me feeling really bruised and hurt and I don't know if I even WANT to go out to dinner tonight.

4. Now we're having tire problems with my van - fortunately, we have two vehicles and DH is dealing with it now but I don't know how much it will cost or how long it will take.

With all of these considerations, would you still go or would you reschedule? I'm torn...part of me doesn't want to go and spend all the $ if we're not going to REALLY enjoy it...part of me feels like it would be wonderful to get a break. But it's not really a break...

I dunno. Thoughts? If we are going to cancel I'd better call the girl soon, she's supposed to be here in 3 hours.

 

[Shleedogg]

The babysitter would be enough for me. If I just met the girl in the morning, I wouldn't trust her to watch my kids. Also, I think the hurt feelings left-over from the fight might make it a less than enjoyable dinner. I'd wait till you can really enjoy your night out. Hope your DD gets better soon!

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I would not leave my kids sick...and also, you are exposing someone else to the flu. I have never left my kids with a sitter - but I could not just meet someone and have an enjoyable evening.

Make up with hubby at home

 

[bigmama67]

Thanks to you both...I was feeling that way too. FINE about the sitter as we know and trust the other girl but there are just too many factors. The best-laid plans...

I will try to make up with DH though (even though he's a stubborn jerk...LOL...sorry!) I do have some Shari's Berries we didn't eat yet and I'll pick up a bottle of wine.

 

[Marionnette]

On one hand, it sounds like you could use a night out to relax and repair. OTOH, it sounds as if the Fates are working against you. I'm a strong believer in signs. And all of them seem to be pointing at postponing this dinner until things improve.

Is there any way that you can quickly throw together a romantic dinner at home? Spaghetti and candlelight? Something to smoothe over the hurt feelings and yet stay close to your sick child in case she needs you?

 

[Liberty Belle]

OK, I'll try to make this short...today is the day DH and I had our first date, 17 years ago. We were planning to go out to a NICE dinner tonight. I have a restaurant.com certificate, we lined up a babysitter, and we haven't been out to dinner alone together in maybe a year so we were really looking forward to it.

1. DD got sick on Thursday and didn't stop throwing up until Friday night LATE. Now she's having problems at the other end. (Sorry TMI) She is much better though.

2. Our sitter is sick so she called one of our friends who we lined up to do it in her place. We just met this girl this morning and I would hate to call and cancel but...

3. DH and I got into a HUGE knock-down-drag-out fight (which we used to have more of but haven't done so in quite a while). It's left me feeling really bruised and hurt and I don't know if I even WANT to go out to dinner tonight.

4. Now we're having tire problems with my van - fortunately, we have two vehicles and DH is dealing with it now but I don't know how much it will cost or how long it will take.

With all of these considerations, would you still go or would you reschedule? I'm torn...part of me doesn't want to go and spend all the $ if we're not going to REALLY enjoy it...part of me feels like it would be wonderful to get a break. But it's not really a break...

I dunno. Thoughts? If we are going to cancel I'd better call the girl soon, she's supposed to be here in 3 hours.

I would reschedule because of numbers 2 and 4, mostly 4. My husband and I rarely go out (probably less than you) and I would not want to waste it when we're not feeling 100% with each other.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd cancel, but I'd throw at least a $10 to the sitter for meeting with you, and possibly not making other plans for the evening.

 

[sk!mom]

I wouldn't leave an ill child with a new sitter.

Actually, I wouldn't leave an ill child with any sitter just for a night out. The fact that the sitter's new would just make it an easier decision.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Remember that your child can be contagious till they are symptom free 24 hours. I would not be happy as a parent of a teen sitter if you had my child come over and stay with your sick child.

I would put your child to bed early, order some take out and try to have some quality time with your DH.

 

[mrsklamc]

I don't know how the 'network' works where you live, but I babysat as a kid and in our town if you left a kid with stuff coming out the 'other end' you'd never get another sitter.

 

[kirstenb1]

I'd cancel, but I'd throw at least a $10 to the sitter for meeting with you, and possibly not making other plans for the evening.

I love this answer, and didn't think of it. I kept focusing on how guilty I'd feel for this girl accomodating us at the last minute, and then us canceling. Your solution makes it a win-win!

 

[kacaju]

I love this answer, and didn't think of it. I kept focusing on how guilty I'd feel for this girl accomodating us at the last minute, and then us canceling. Your solution makes it a win-win!

You should not feel guilty. Just call her and say your dd is sick and you cannot leave her.

 

[bigmama67]

Thanks, everyone. To clarify ONE point, at the time that the other sitter came over to meet the kids, DD WAS symptom-free for a day and a half. It was later in the day that she had more problems and we had already been fighting by then and I was upset and not thinking clearly to begin with.

Of course we ended up staying home even though DD seemed fine again after that one incident (and also she was acting more like herself which was very reassuring!)

We will try to go out for my birthday next month. I'm hoping one of DS' friends moms would be willing to watch the kids as it's more comfortable for me and they have other kids to play with then. We'll see. I can probably count on the fingers of one hand the times we've hired a sitter in the past eight years.