Do I Dare?
I love my life, I love my home, I love my friends. My friend who was going to host playgroup at her house tomorrow is sick and just canceled. My first thought was “I’ll offer to host it here!” then I went and looked at our playgroup calendar and 16 moms had voted for attending. 16 moms plus at least one kid each, many with 2 kids. Okay, that’s a lot of people in my little house. And my house isn’t finished. We still don’t even have siding. The timing for this would be so much better 2 weeks from now. Some of my friends have been here but not most of them. And here I sit afraid to invite everyone over.
I am happy with everything around me. But I am well aware that not everyone sees things the same and that there are plenty of people out there that wouldn’t enjoy themselves here. I know because I’ve seen it first hand women who get big houses and then pity those that live small. Think their big house is the envy of everyone who sets foot in it. Well, not me. But if there are enough of those women around, they’ll set foot in my home and feel sorry for me. And I don’t want pity. I just want to invite people over to my cozy little happy home and let my kids play with their friends in their house.
I know the saying goes “those that mind don’t matter and those that matter don’t mind”. It doesn’t matter what they think. Easier said than done, but still possible to keep reminding myself until it sticks. I think I am going to take a deep breath and invite over 40 people into my humble abode tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Good luck, Emily! I think that’s a great saying.
Go for it! You’ve done wonders with the place. Keep seeing what you have done, not what isn’t. I’m sure people will marvel at you and Jason doing all that work yourselves.
And I can just see Drew showing her princess room to all of the other girls.
Good luck! I totally feel your pain! My husband and I are in college and live on some land his parents have here. We live in 14′x70′ 1979 Trailer (Mobile Home). Although we are in college and it is *FREE* everything is a little monkey rigged out here. I love it and it really helps us stay out of debt but it is hard to have family and friends come out here who live in the nice apartments in town. My grandmother is scared to come out just because we call it “the Farm”. When I finally decited to invite everone out for my hubby’s birthday I couldn’t believe their excitement that we lived in such a “cool” place and they loved hearing my plans about fixing everything up!
Go for it! I bet you will get more support for making your living space yours than you would ever imagine- and thanks for hosting the play group!
You go girl! I just moved from a 1000 square foot house to a 2200 square foot house. You know what? I miss our little home! THere was a lot less to clean and the houses were closer together so you really got to know your neighbours. Besides, you are right “those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”.
Just be true to yourself…you were the one that said that in your last post a few days ago!
Hope the playdate is a blast.
I had similar reservations about hosting playgroup when I lived in a small apartment. But then I remember that sometimes I notice things about other people’s houses, like an unfinished project, or just something that isn’t my taste. And that’s all, I just notice. It doesn’t change how I feel about whoever lives there. If someone freaks out over something off at my house, then they probably didn’t like me too much to begin with.
When I visit my friends who live in a 300 sq. ft cabin in the woods with 3 small children, I am jealous. I have an average size house, certainly a lot bigger than theirs, but I don’t pity them. I don’t think my house is better. I am envious of their ability to live small, live simple.
Not everyone is going to react the way you might expect.
Hope it is fun!
Thank you everyone for the encouragement! I did go ahead and invite everyone but because it’s a beautiful sunny day here, we decided on playgroup at the beach instead and I’ll host in a few weeks when there is a slot open. I feel good about taking the plunge and doing it and am excited for when everyone comes over.
Rose, I know you wouldn’t do what I was describing. Unfortunately I have a couple “friends” who would. But they’re not really friends if they act that way anyway. I admire your appreciation for a simple life and respecting others too
Have fun, Emily.
There may be some moaners and whiners, but like you said, those who matter won’t mind, …..
Have a great party!
16 moms and 20+ kids?
That’s a football team, not a playgroup.
I was going to suggest that it wasn’t a good idea but from your comment I see that the weather is good where you are so it might be manageable.
I think having that many people in the winter (a real winter) might not be so fun.
Mike