It made my husband and me very happy to get an invitation to a party for adults only. We had three active kids and had no plans to take a break for five years. Thank goodness, my parents just moved closer and were a great backup.
As we got ready for the party, Jason told us he was worried about leaving the kids. He asked, “Are you sure they’ll be okay?” I told him that my parents would find something fun for them to do.
We had three kids: Simon, Max, and Lily. They were a pain. They were always needing attention because they were hyperactive and aggressive. I was ready for a break and wanted to talk to adults and rest.
The kids and I left them with my parents and went to the party. With champagne, laughing, and dancing, the six hours went by very quickly.
I was ready for chaos when we got back to get the kids. Instead, I found them sitting quietly with my parents, talking and happy. The couch was a nice place for Lily to sleep.
“What did you do to them?” I was shocked and asked.
My parents told me their secret: they got the kids to do things like clean the chicken coop, build a dollhouse, and bake a pie. The kids loved being useful and picking up new skills.
I knew my parents had taught us something important as we drove home. They didn’t need to be entertained all the time; they needed to be able to focus and have a goal.
That night, as I put the kids to bed, Jason and I looked at each other knowingly. Our evening out did more than just help us relax; it also helped us better understand what our kids need.
“Let’s do this more often,” I told Jason with a smile.
He said yes and was already making plans for our next parent-child swap. “Your parents are the best thing that’s happened to us.”
I totally agree. The next part of our path as parents began that night. It was full of laughter, learning, and love.
