Ah, New Year’s Eve! It used to be my favorite night of the year, a time for celebration and revelry. But ever since welcoming two little ones into my life, that excitement has dimmed. Now, I find myself dreading the night, especially the traditional parties that most people enjoy. Here’s what New Year’s Eve looks like when you have kids:
Finding a Babysitter
Unless you’ve planned ahead and booked a sitter months in advance, good luck! It feels like trying to convince a celebrity to babysit. Even if you do manage to snag a sitter, expect her rates to skyrocket once she senses your urgency.
Wardrobe Dilemmas
As you rummage through your closet, you ponder whether that glittery top pairs well with yoga pants. Because, let’s face it, no one will notice those comfy pants, right? Wrong.
Exhaustion by 9 PM
You’ll be ready to call it a night by 9, but somehow, you have to muster the energy to stay awake for three more hours. Maintaining an engaging persona is far more tiring than childbirth!
The Pressure of Resolutions
People will inevitably ask about your New Year’s resolutions, and while you secretly contemplate “survival” as your primary goal, here are a few more you might keep to yourself:
- Shed the baby weight from over a decade ago;
- Be nicer to your partner, at least until noon;
- Organize your life, which really means “get your act together.”
The Cost of Celebration
You’ll quickly learn the “Rule of 120” the hard way. A night out can easily amount to $120 for a sitter, $120 for dinner, $120 for drinks, plus late-night pizza runs. Then reality hits as you realize how many responsible purchases you could have made with that money.
Socializing with Childless Friends
Going out with friends who don’t have kids will remind you of their seemingly endless energy and their ability to sleep in until 1 PM if they choose.
Socializing with Fellow Parents
With fellow parents, you’ll either spend the night discussing your kids and wishing you’d stayed home or enjoy a “Moms Gone Wild” night, only to have your spouse realize he should have left you on the couch.
Fireworks at Midnight
As the clock strikes twelve, you’ll hear fireworks and hastily reassure your spouse that if they wake the kids, you’ll be on a mission to find the culprits.
Regrettable Selfies
You’ll later regret those 12:03 AM selfies you posted on social media, as you realize you look every bit as exhausted as you feel.
The Painful Morning After
No matter how late you stayed up or how much champagne you consumed, expect a 5:45 AM wake-up call. Kids have an uncanny ability to rise early on New Year’s Day, making you wish you’d splurged on a hotel instead.
The Quest for Coffee
You’ll need coffee and aspirin to survive the morning, only to discover you’re out of both. At that moment, you might consider trading your firstborn for a large, extra creamy coffee.
Mom Guilt
The next day, after spending so much and feeling awful, you’ll wish you’d just snuggled on the couch with your kids, sipping sparkling cider, and calling it a night by 9:15 PM.
The Noisemakers Dilemma
Your kids will play with those obnoxious New Year’s noisemakers for months, until you finally toss them in a fit of rage come April.
Planning Next Year’s Excuse
By this time next year, you’ll have your excuse ready: “Sorry, we’ll be staying in. We couldn’t find a sitter. Enjoy yourselves; I’m so jealous!”
The reality of New Year’s Eve with kids leads to a profound realization: the best place to be might just be at home, comfortable with your family in your yoga pants. Here’s to a new year of surviving parenthood, nurturing our bodies, being kinder to our partners, and perhaps, just perhaps, starting to get our lives in order. If not, there’s always next year!
For more insights on parenting and preparation for the journey, check out our other blog posts, or for specific information about home insemination, visit this resource.
Summary
New Year’s Eve drastically changes after having kids, as parents face challenges like finding a sitter, exhaustion, and social pressures. The evening becomes a mix of fleeting moments of joy and the reality of parenting responsibilities, leading many to prefer the comfort of home over traditional celebrations. Embracing the chaos of parenthood is essential, as is the realization that next year offers a fresh start.