Ask Amy: Sociable children tax mom’s hosting talents
Dear Tired: Children, like adults, vary in terms of their friendship and companionship wants and needs.
It sounds as if your son is a sociable child who enjoys having friends around, and he has a mom who is generous and accommodating.
(I assume you also have one of those houses that kids enjoy spending time in, with an accommodating parent who has games, toys, and snacks at the ready.)
Your son’s “bestie’s” mother has three children.
You don’t note their ages, but raising three children is exponentially more challenging than raising two.
According to a 2013 survey of “more than 7,000 mothers” by Today.com, the women reported that three children is the most stressful number of kids to have (those with more than three children reported that achieving a “critical mass” at home seems to make things easier).
I’ll suggest three ways to achieve more balance:
By “sucking it up” a little bit more – perhaps by taking more well-deserved pride in your parenting and your sociable household.
By asking this mom in a friendly and frank way, “Can you have my son over to your house one afternoon this week? He and I would really appreciate it.”
And also by telling your own sociable children “no” more often than you do when they want playdates at your house.
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