Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Hail Will Keep Me From My Playdate (Well, OK, Hail Will)
Dear Mouthy Housewives,
I am part of a baby playgroup and this week it was my turn to host. There are about six moms and no one showed up. In their favor, hail rained down during the time of the playdate. But how hard is it to get in the car (even with a baby)? Should I be pissed or just let it go? I even had fresh bagels!
Signed,
Stood Up for My Playdate
__________________________________________
Dear Stood Up,
People with babies can be so inconsiderate, can’t they? Why, just last week I was in the ladies room at DSW Shoes, using the baby changing table as a workspace to try to make the flats I was about to return look unworn via shoe polish and rubber cement, when in marches some mother with a newborn who apparently needed his diaper changed right that second. Her sense of entitlement was staggering, I tell you. She wouldn’t even let me use his little bib as a toilet seat cover.
Now, back in my mother-to-a-newborn days, I never missed a single playgroup event. You know why? Because we served wine at our playgroup events. W-I-N-E. Not frickin’ bagels. And let me tell you, lady, I would have driven through an acid rain storm to get to those fabulous shindigs. Because let’s face it: when you live with a baby, you’re sleep deprived, your boobs are leaky, and you’re probably rockin’ pants from The Gap’s “Large ‘n In Charge” department—there ain’t a whole lot to look forward to most days.
That’s why I say you should forget about the no-shows this time and not take it personally. We all know new moms can get a little frazzled about taking the baby out in bad weather. (Unlike mothers of school-aged kids who’ll push them outside and into a raging monsoon if it means they can watch Regis & Kelly in peace.)
The next time you host a playgroup, just put away the damn bagels and try to instead make it a day of wine, women and song. Or even a day of iced tea, ladies and church music, if you swing that way. Because while your plagroup definitely wants to see you, when you’re dealing with a sleep-deprived, leaky mom, sometimes a little extra incentive goes a long way.
Sincerely,
Wendi, TMH
7 Responses to “Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Hail Will Keep Me From My Playdate (Well, OK, Hail Will)”
Comment by Desperate Dietwives.
I admit it is frustrating to have everything ready for the playgroup and a blatant no-show, but if it had been anybody else’s turn, would you have gone out in hail with your child?
If your answer is yes, then you are a very staunch pal indeed!
But one thing I will say for you: the non-showing moms ought to have called you and let you know they weren’t going to stir.
Next time you meet, why don’t you ask to introduce a rule in your playgroup, stating that in case of bad weather the date is postponed to the next week? Or else ask for a cancelling phone call? This is the least that should be required to anybody…
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Comment by annie.
Yeah, i’m also a little annoyed they didn’t call.
Is there any way you had the date wrong? Or is was somebody else’s week to host because I can see a couple fairweather moms but all 6?? Something seems a little off.
And by the way, not knowing what week it is or if I have something to do is still happening for me and my youngest is 9.
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Comment by Karin.
I was in a playgroup that never came to my place either. It sucks! I lived in an apartment 5 minutes down the road from 2 other moms (there were 10 moms to start). My apartment was larger than several of their SFH, was in a gated community and had a large open area and playground in sight of my (ground level) porch. It was an ideal playdate location and no one ever showed, well, one mom did…once!
We’ve since moved so I don’t know how the kids in that playgroup are doing now that they are in 3rd and 4th grade but my kids are well adjusted and I now plan playdates at other locations. Your kids won’t be disappointed if you pretend you don’t care.
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Comment by JubanMama.
I live in Brooklyn, where no one has cars and we all hoof it everywhere. We walk for MILES while shoving our LOs in front of us in strollers, or hanging from our chests or backs in baby backpacks.
And let me tell you something. When I mention that there will be free BOOZE and/or BAKED GOODS at my playdates? People will show up even in blizzard conditions. No joke – this past February, when we in the Northeast were assaulted with no fewer than 3 blizzards in a two week period, I sent out a group email that I’d be happy to host a playdate. With wine. And brownies. And there, in sub-freezing weather with the sidewalks coated in several layers of ice, and shoveled-up snow at least 4 feet high at every curb, I had a DOZEN moms walk over from as far away as a dozen blocks.
So…yeah.
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Comment by Rojopaul.
What they should have done:
(1) Pick up the phone, people. There’s just no excuse for at least not letting the hostess know you aren’t planning on dragging the kiddo and 15 pounds of stuff out in inclement weather.
(2) Send an e-mail.
Unless, of course, the other 5 ladies talked and decided among themselves not to go and someone was supposed to let the Hostess with the Mostess know and didn’t.
What you can do:
(1) Give them one more chance and if they blow that, don’t host any more.
(2) Get new friends.
(3) Post a comment on Facebook “Don’t you hate when you host a play date and noone shows up or bothers to call!” and be passive aggressive.
(4) Just ask your BFF in the group what happened. (Did someone forget to tell you, etc.)
Good luck!
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Comment by Lonely Mom Seeks Friends | The Mouthy Housewives.
[...] will love it and it’s a great way to connect with other moms. Next, start your own playgroup. You think you’re the only desperate, lonely mom out there? You aren’t. You just have [...]
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The Mouthy Housewives respect everyone's opinion, however, if you're attacking other commentors, you will be deleted. And sent to your room until you can play nicely.
Desperate Dietwives Reply:
November 15th, 2010 at 4:37 am
Now, I like this answer!
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