This past week I left my comfort zone and tried to be the outgoing, play-date-planning military wife and stay at home mom.  A few other spouses have hosted coffees at their homes and I felt like it would be nice to return the favor.

In a perfect world, I would invite everyone to my home, have the kids paint pumpkins, serve homemade treats, coffee and put all my Pinterest ideas into action. But our home is so small we can’t even invite anyone over for dinner, let alone multiple people with multiple children. The truth was, the very thought of a busy play date made me anxious.

So instead of telling people, ‘Hey I’d love to have you over but our house is too small and I hate it and you’re so lucky you didn’t get stuck in this neighborhood’, I thought a neutral meeting place might work. I had taken my son to a local museum that had neat playgrounds, lots of space to run and benches where the moms could sit, drink coffee and chat. 

I emailed some of my husband’s colleagues’ wives and thought of the 15 or so ladies, a few would be able to make it. I’m always looking for ways to let my kids burn energy outside so it seemed like a great idea. I told my husband about my big play date and he was proud of me for taking initiative.

I guess I better stick to my day job of living vicariously through Pinterest because I feel like my play date was an epic fail.

I am thankful for the two women who came (thanks ladies!) but my son ended up acting like a total crazy kid. He not only put freshly fallen acorns into his mouth but rocks as well! He then washed it down by drinking puddles off the playground from the rain that had fallen the night before.  To top it off, he ran away from me and refused listen and follow directions.

I know he is a typical two-year-old and I have definitely learned to pick my battles with him, but this was a day when I wanted to scoop him up and take him home. Instead, I politely pulled him aside to tell him that we don’t put rocks in our mouths.  When I pictured being a mom, I never thought I would have these conversations with my kids! 

This all took place after I spilled the only bottle I brought for the baby in my diaper bag and soaked all the diapers.  And a hungry, wet 3-month-old is no fun for mom or anyone else. It was just one of those days when I felt like I am never going to figure this whole mom thing out! All I could think about was how to decide when it would be okay to leave and return to the comfort of my tiny house.

I left feeling not only like my play date was a total failure, but also that my kid will also be known as the rock eater and puddle drinker.

I guess it could be worse. I keep telling myself we tried and that’s what matters. Either way, I am going to stand back and let other people take over the play date planning for a while.

That’s if we ever get invited again.