Vent: Childfree vs. the parents at a party

[Ember]

Last night we were invited to a house warming /bbq for some friends. There were about 15 people there, all chatting very nicely. Then "the parents" arrived. All of a sudden the entire evening was devoted to the 10 month old. Conversation had to stop when baby was sleepy. Parents asked we not talk about things like the earthquake or floods that are currently world news because they don't want negative images in their baby's mind. (??) So we basically spent several hours staring at this kid while his parents narrated his every move. They waxed on poetically about his every glance and what they thought it meant. They also went on, in a room full of people without children, to laugh about how meaningless life is if you aren't a parent. Not surprisingly, the party ended very early.

I know there are parents out there who are still non-irritating human beings, in fact I would hazard this is most of them. And for these people I would like to extend a huge thank you. Because babies are like weddings, the only people who really care all that much are the couple.

 

[DVCLiz]

Last night we were invited to a house warming /bbq for some friends. There were about 15 people there, all chatting very nicely. Then "the parents" arrived. All of a sudden the entire evening was devoted to the 10 month old. Conversation had to stop when baby was sleepy. Parents asked we not talk about things like the earthquake or floods that are currently world news because they don't want negative images in their baby's mind. (??) So we basically spent several hours staring at this kid while his parents narrated his every move. They waxed on poetically about his every glance and what they thought it meant. They also went on, in a room full of people without children, to laugh about how meaningless life is if you aren't a parent. Not surprisingly, the party ended very early.

I know there are parents out there who are still non-irritating human beings, in fact I would hazard this is most of them. And for these people I would like to extend a huge thank you. Because babies are like weddings, the only people who really care all that much are the couple.

Brrrrrr. weather forecast says to expect blizzards wherever this child lives...snowflake alert!

This is the worst kind of parent and they should be stopped at all costs...

 

[1stluvispooh]

Yeah people like that irritate the snot out of me too and I am a parent. They think they are the only people who ever have had a child. Just wait until someone else in the group has a kid, they will tell them that they are doing everything wrong. A 10 month old wouldn't know what an earthquake was if it was in the middle of one! Don't worry they will act like this and the child in a year when they are about to hit 2 will give them a comeuppances!

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

There are few things more irritating than parents who believe they are the first people to ever produce a child, and that their child is the cutest thing ever. We were the first in our group of friends to have a baby, and we made sure she fit into theirs and our lives. Obviously babies require certain considerations, and we loved them incredibly, but we also realized they were not actually the center of the solar system, much less the center of the universe.

I've also never understood the "silence when baby is tired" approach. While we didn't send parades through either child's room when they were trying to sleep, life continued on as usual (phones and doorbells rang, the dog barked, we talked, etc.) and we now have two children who could sleep through an earthquake. Teaching a child to only sleep in absolute silence produces adults who can only sleep in absolute silence, in my opinion.

 

[mamacatnv]

We vacuumed under the cribs, my kids can sleep through just about anything.

Personally, I am just witchy enough that I would have addressed the reasons these parents want to shelter Snowie. I would have called them on the carpet on their idiocy and selfishness, but I am a bit mean that way.

I also would have ignored their requests, let them leave. Perhaps next time they will get a baby sitter or they will get over themselves.

I have no tolerance for people who think the world revolves around their Snowie and I get even more irritated when they expect me to go along with their indulgence.

 

[Kirby]

Sounds like they won't be invited to very many more parties if you ask me.

 

[marlynnp]

So Snowie and Parents showed up and no one else brought their backbone with them? I can't believe 15 people would just stand around and accept that behavior. Sorry but those parents are only getting away with what you let them.

 

[superme80]

Sounds like they won't be invited to very many more parties if you ask me.

THIS! I admit I talk about DS any chance I get, but we discuss world events around him. He will need to learn about them some day. Why not now?

 

[emer95]

So Snowie and Parents showed up and no one else brought their backbone with them? I can't believe 15 people would just stand around and accept that behavior. Sorry but those parents are only getting away with what you let them.

Awesome post!

 

[Ember]

So Snowie and Parents showed up and no one else brought their backbone with them? I can't believe 15 people would just stand around and accept that behavior. Sorry but those parents are only getting away with what you let them.

In part this is true. But I have never been the sort to get into a heated discussion in a casual social situation. It's just not in my nature. *shrug* Rather than cause a scene, I'd much rather just leave. It's just not worth it and there is no way a conversation such as you're suggesting would have ended well.

 

[luvmy3]

Last night we were invited to a house warming /bbq for some friends. There were about 15 people there, all chatting very nicely. Then "the parents" arrived. All of a sudden the entire evening was devoted to the 10 month old. Conversation had to stop when baby was sleepy. Parents asked we not talk about things like the earthquake or floods that are currently world news because they don't want negative images in their baby's mind. (??) So we basically spent several hours staring at this kid while his parents narrated his every move. They waxed on poetically about his every glance and what they thought it meant. They also went on, in a room full of people without children, to laugh about how meaningless life is if you aren't a parent. Not surprisingly, the party ended very early.

I know there are parents out there who are still non-irritating human beings, in fact I would hazard this is most of them. And for these people I would like to extend a huge thank you. Because babies are like weddings, the only people who really care all that much are the couple.

Oh brother.

I guess one good thing is that you probably won't have to worry about them at the next party

 

[Mermaid02]

Last night we were invited to a house warming /bbq for some friends. There were about 15 people there, all chatting very nicely. Then "the parents" arrived. All of a sudden the entire evening was devoted to the 10 month old. Conversation had to stop when baby was sleepy. Parents asked we not talk about things like the earthquake or floods that are currently world news because they don't want negative images in their baby's mind. (??) So we basically spent several hours staring at this kid while his parents narrated his every move. They waxed on poetically about his every glance and what they thought it meant. They also went on, in a room full of people without children, to laugh about how meaningless life is if you aren't a parent. Not surprisingly, the party ended very early.

I know there are parents out there who are still non-irritating human beings, in fact I would hazard this is most of them. And for these people I would like to extend a huge thank you. Because babies are like weddings, the only people who really care all that much are the couple.

I would have spit my drink across the room and laughed out loud at them for this one. SERIOUSLY??

 

[dislaney]

I don't get the whole don't talk about world events because they don't want negative images in the baby's mine!

Why would you not get a sitter and go and enjoy the get together with your adult friends?! That's what I would have done!

 

[AustinTink]

I think you won't have to worry about them coming around to many more parties. They will naturally weed themselves out of the group and end up associating more with parents. It just naturally happens.

 

[FINFAN]

Apparently they didn't realize the housewarming party was not for THIER house Wow....I'm a parent, which is why that type of behavior would have had me rolling my eyes and snickering at the same time. No to mention I probably would have asked if they had trouble finding a sitter for the evening..that with all the people out of work they probably could have had their pick of sitters to chose from.

 

[DawnCt1]

Last night we were invited to a house warming /bbq for some friends. There were about 15 people there, all chatting very nicely. Then "the parents" arrived. All of a sudden the entire evening was devoted to the 10 month old. Conversation had to stop when baby was sleepy. Parents asked we not talk about things like the earthquake or floods that are currently world news because they don't want negative images in their baby's mind. (??) So we basically spent several hours staring at this kid while his parents narrated his every move. They waxed on poetically about his every glance and what they thought it meant. They also went on, in a room full of people without children, to laugh about how meaningless life is if you aren't a parent. Not surprisingly, the party ended very early.

I know there are parents out there who are still non-irritating human beings, in fact I would hazard this is most of them. And for these people I would like to extend a huge thank you. Because babies are like weddings, the only people who really care all that much are the couple.

That would have been a LOL moment for me, and then I guess I would have continued the conversation and if the request was repeated, probably would have said, "you can"t be serious". It must be one heck of a smart baby to have such world knowledge and such an extensive vocabulary. Heck, I will bet it is almost as smart as my poodle, but we don't tend to limit our conversations. As far as 'waxing poetically" about his every move, I have friends that drone on and on about their camper, so I do understand the tedium of it all.
I had one friend who was pregnant and fretted about "What if I have an ugly baby". I assured her that she would never know and polite people would never tell her.

 

[Hannathy]

So Snowie and Parents showed up and no one else brought their backbone with them? I can't believe 15 people would just stand around and accept that behavior. Sorry but those parents are only getting away with what you let them.

I agree!!! Wow I can't believe not one person said forget it and kept talking or as another poster said laughed out loud at them. An insurance salesman should have been at the party they could have made their quota for the rest of the year because no one there would have been able to say no.

 

[pilotwife_02]

Geez...what's wrong with you? You are sound so judgemental...all the parents wanted to do was show you how precious and wonderful .... aww heck, I can't even finish that thought without

Seriously though, so many ridiculously irritating thing about those parents:

• No talk about floods/earthquakes? What happens when the kid gets a little older and perhaps experiences one? Or hears others things they don't want them to hear, are they going to follow the kid around censoring what the kid's friends say?
  
• Be quiet when the kid is sleeping? Not that I go around making extra noise and I'll admit when it's just me and DH we tend to be quieter when they kids are sleeping then if they were awake, but I by no means would go to another person's house and ask them and their guests to be quiet. The entitlement of some people is astounding.
  
• And talking about the baby ALL night - BORING to me and I'm a mom of 2 and pg with my 3rd. I want to talk about others things like movies, current events, etc. when I'm with friends, not potty habits, sleep issues, etc.

I would have just walked to another room and continued my conversation. If they walked in the room I'd excuse myself again and tell them we were having a "real life" conversation that I'm sure would be inappropriate for little ears.

 

[phorsenuf]

I can't imagine a group of adults would actually abide by this. To just sit around and stare at the kid.
No adult had any more conversations or anything?? I don't know.....sounds a little over the top to me.
I'm thinking maybe this story is stretched just a little bit.

 

[Bethenny]

In part this is true. But I have never been the sort to get into a heated discussion in a casual social situation. It's just not in my nature. *shrug* Rather than cause a scene, I'd much rather just leave. It's just not worth it and there is no way a conversation such as you're suggesting would have ended well.

Really, so you ditched the party hosts? No reason to start a scene. Just continue on with your evening. If the parents didn't like it, they could have left. Didn't you break into different groups/converstaions? I've never been to a party with 15 people where everyone was engaged in one large group.