Work's Christmas Parties. Any other full time mums feeling left out?

[honeybunny]

Feeling a little sorry for myself tonight as I sit in alone, (well, ds is asleep in his cot, bless) while dh is out on his 2nd works Xmas party of the week.
Last year didn't seem so bad. I was a new mum, with a tiny wee baby to look after. The last thing on my mind was "Bummer, I'm missing out on the Xmas Party". This year though, ds is 13months, and having recently moved from London to be near dh's work, I'm feeling completely cut off from everyone. Massive dose of 24/7 morning sickness for the first 16weeks of a new pregnancy, just as we moved, didn't help the social life either. Now I'm feeling fine and would relish the opportunity of going out to a Xmas party. Only my old work colleagues are in London, miles away, and I've yet to really meet anyone here. Sad eh?
Any other full time mums feel left out? Having given up their work to be at home. Perhaps their OH invite them along too? Typical NHS though, partners never seem to be invited. I'm always told it would be dull listening to everyone bark on about "oooh, do you remember that bloke I anaesthetised last week, wasn't it hilarious when ...." blah, blah, blah! Perhaps I'm not missing anything at all!

[emmagee]

Honeybunny, a group of friends who are all full time mums like me organised our own 'work christmas party' last week and it was great. I have been struggling to get baby no.2 (6 months) to take a bottle and so nearly pulled out, but, I didn't and it was great! Yes so he gave my other half a bit of a hard time, but it was just the morale boost I needed as I was on a real downer about not doing anything with my life and not achieving enough etc etc. Do you know even one or two similar mums in your area you could fix up something with? Oh, and the subject of children was banned - until we all got to drunk to remember!

And another thing, I recently started a reading group with 4 other women in my street which is another 'valid' excuse to get out of the house once a month for a drink and a chat.

[helenmc]

Yes I feel left out and I work almost full-time!! But wait til christmas day - you wouldnt want to swap that for a fortnight of parties. Yes there will be next year - and why not organise some-thing to make up a it later in the year when every-one's finances are healthier, something to look forward to. We had a mums curry night out in February, invited every-one even the neighours. And if you face it, why not invite the neighours round for a christmas drink.
Besides there's always of us on mumsnet to chat to
ps my works do was soooooooo boring. But I had a brilliant night out with a couple of mates talking really girlie stuff!! And just think you won't be the one in the morning with the hangover. Hope this cheers you up a bit..... MMerry christmas and here's to 2002

[jasper]

My dh is a full time dad and the only man at the local mother and toddler group. Last Christmas they asked him to ask me if Iwould like to join them in their Christmas night out. They had never even met me! He was deeply hurt to be bypassed. However this year he has been invited along and tomorrow is going out for a meal - with twelve women!

[SueDonim]

Hope you're feeling better now, Honeybunny. Christmas just seems to bring everything like that into sharp focus, doesn't it?

I guess it's a bit late for this year but have you been along to any NCT coffee groups? They often have a christmas night out or a pot-luck supper in someone's house can be great fun. I've been invited by an NCT member to a 'do' on Boxing Day, because she knows it's just going to be me and DD from Weds morning to Friday evening. Three days talking to myself, help!!

[robinw]

message withdrawn

[Bugsy]

Its not much consolation to you Honneybunny yearning to go to a Christmas party but I told a massive porky this year and declined to go to our work party. I'm nearly 6 months pregnant and the thought of standing around sober in a smoky bar for hours before eating and then feeling like a saddo not going on clubbing afterwards was just too much. Instead I arranged to go out to dinner with some other mums and we had a good laugh, ate nice food and didn't have to stand in a crowded bar for ages.
I hope you find a good alternative.

[JJ]

Honeybunny, I know what you mean. In Chicago, the bank invited everyone to the bash and what a bash it was! Very OTT in a good way. Here there are no spouses invited. My husband didn't even go. He can drink with the lads and ladettes any night of the week (he doesn't, but ykwim). I miss the Chicago party because it was a chance to get all dressed up and go to talk to people who had more on their minds than kids!
(ah, a nice dose of self pity does a world of good, sometimes.)

[LisaV]

My dh is currently sulking because I asked him not to go out on Christmas Eve. He is going out this weekend, he gets out every Wednesday and this is the first year I have asked him to stay in with me on Christmas Eve. For some men being a dad doesn't change them one bit does it?

[Jbr]

If you don't work then you can't have a work's party. That's what I hated about being unemployed not getting invited.

Also, at the risk of repeating myself, we are all full time parents.

[TigerMoth1]

Have to say that one of the things I loved when I was unemployed was not having to go to work parties.