Before you welcomed your little one into the world, you might have found yourself rolling your eyes at friends who canceled plans last minute because “the babysitter bailed” or colleagues who skipped out on office lunches because their baby was up all night. Now that you have a tiny human of your own, you understand that sitters can flake and that a baby who’s had a rough night is a valid excuse for skipping out. Sometimes, the sheer exhaustion of parenthood catches up with you, and you might find yourself using your baby as a convenient excuse to bow out of certain activities. Here are seven situations I’ve definitely sidestepped, thanks to my little one:
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Brunch Bliss
While many rave about brunch, I’ve never been a fan. I’d rather enjoy more meals throughout the day than wait in long lines at popular spots. When I discovered that brunch often coincided with my baby’s morning nap, I couldn’t help but feel relieved! Friends might not accept “I’m just not into it” as a valid excuse, but no one can argue with a baby’s nap schedule. Brunch? No thanks! -
Bachelorette Shenanigans
Bachelorette parties are fun—for a little while. The excitement quickly fades when it’s time to squeeze into a cab with a gaggle of rowdy friends, all heading back to a cramped hotel room. My baby nursed for 16 months, which meant I couldn’t miss a night or morning. What a perfect excuse to call an Uber and snuggle up in my own bed! -
Extended Family Visits
Having a newborn brings out the relatives you haven’t seen in ages! While these gatherings can be heartwarming, they sometimes drag on longer than I’d like. My son wasn’t the best napper, and I’ll admit I used his fussiness as an excuse to leave early more than once. And on those occasions when I couldn’t escape, I cleverly took advantage of his need for a nap—“Oh, I guess I’ll just rest too!” -
Household Perfection
I often wish I’d taken a good look around my home before heading to the hospital. It hasn’t been that clean since! Thankfully, no one seems to expect it to be spotless. Whenever guests come over and eye the dishes in the sink or laundry strewn about, I just shrug, point at the baby, and move on! -
Destination Wedding Dilemmas
Destination weddings can be a blast—but they can also wreak havoc on your wallet and vacation time. Although my baby travels relatively well, flying with him can be a challenge. So, when it comes to attending these events, we’ve been open about our reasons for skipping out, and I don’t feel guilty about it at all. -
Long Conversations
We’ve all been stuck on the phone with relatives who love to give unsolicited advice or share every detail of their day. Pre-baby, I would listen patiently. Now, I still try to be polite, but when my little one starts crawling toward the dog’s food bowl, it’s the perfect excuse to wrap up the chat! -
Plans I’d Rather Skip
I generally try to be honest about my commitments, but occasionally I find myself agreeing to things well in advance only to dread them as the date draws near. Canceling last minute isn’t ideal, but a timely call a few days before, saying I can’t find a sitter? That feels acceptable, right? Sometimes, a cozy night in with sweatpants, pizza, and Netflix is simply too tempting to resist.
While babies are undeniably adorable, they can also serve as your ultimate excuse for avoiding unwanted plans. Use this newfound power wisely!
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In summary, having a baby opens up a whole new world of excuses to gracefully bow out of social obligations. Whether it’s brunch, family visits, or long-winded chats, your little one is your ticket to more couch time and comfort!