Читать книгу The Yummy Mummy’s Family Handbook - Liz Fraser - Страница 21

Birthdays, wedding anniversaries, christenings—there’s always a reason to have a family party, and always a possibility that something will go wrong if you have kids in tow. Children have this knack of going ever so slightly over the top, and turning an enjoyable occasion into something almost as fun as having your fingernails pulled out by George Clooney—what could be so much fun somehow turns into a living hell. As the parents, it’s your unfortunate duty to spot when this is about to happen, and make swift moves to diffuse an imminent explosion.

Don’t bring your troubles to a party. Bring a bottle, of course, but don’t bring your bottled-up issues. Having a husband-and-wife spat at Great Uncle George’s eightieth is unforgivable. If you must, then avoid each other for the duration, and have the row when you get home. Ditto for disagreements you are having with your kids: save it for another time.

Don’t tell your children about the party until you’re about to go there. If they have three weeks to get excited, they will be so wound up by the time it comes you’ll be scraping them off the ceiling. And that’s before they’re plied with chocolates, fizzy drinks and those wretched orange crisps. Some degree of anticipation is fun, but more than a day or two is asking for trouble.

Bring something for kids to do. Just a few books or small toys can save the day. Having something for your kids to do while you natter away for hours about boring adult stuff can mean the difference between staying all day and leaving as soon as the speeches are over.

Be prepared to take the kids out for a while. Children can get rather excited at parties, and this is almost always followed by mild hysteria and large amounts of noise, and possible damage to valuable pieces of china. If there’s a park nearby you are saved, but otherwise just a quick walk around the block really helps to calm them down.

Time out. If it all gets too much for you, then find a quiet corner to get some peace and recharge, before you face the mob again. I always have to do this at large gatherings, and taking a moment to be alone with your children or to help in the kitchen can be just the ticket.