You guys have been so awesome with other readers’ issues, I wonder if I could add a couple more to your caseload? Click through for their posts on the problems.
1) Misty has an etiquette problem: another mom has asked to bring FOUR extra kids to Misty’s child’s birthday party. Misty needs a fast answer on this one, because she has to call the other mom back with an answer soon.
2) Donna has a children’s clothing problem: where to find jeans that will STAY UP on a slim baby?
I think telling the other mom that you haven’t budgeted for an extra four kids. Simple as that. If she wants to bring them because she doesn’t have anyone to help her watch them while she brings the invited child to the party, offer to watch said little one at the party so she can stay home with the other four.
FOUR?? WTF?? I don’t even know what to say to that. I agree with barb – it’s perfectly OK to say that you haven’t budgeted for them. It would be OK to say so for one, much less four! The nerve of people never ceases to amaze me.
As for pants, i have the same problem, both with my 11 year old and the 4 year old. I don’t buy any jeans or pants that don’t have the adjustable waist (the elastic and button contraption inside the waistband). You can find them in the inexpensive brands at W@l-Mart to the higher end ones from the Gap.
As for the jeans, I had my mom knit a belt for my twins. I just loop it through and tie it as necessary. And because it is knit, it is soft and ok for the babies to play with. Or, use cloth diapers with a diaper cover — lots of bulk there to hold up the jeans! (I’ve done both.)
Barb had a great idea. I can’t believe someone had the nerve to ask that! I’ve had moms call and ask if they can bring so and so’s little sister (perfectly within acceptable ettiquette, IMHO), and I have no problem with that…BUT FOUR?! That’s really clueless. It’s like the people who ask you if they can bring their not yet potty trained puppy over to your apartment (HELLO,NO YARD) for a two hour visit. Not that I have any experience with that or anything. But what do you say?
No advice on the pants thing, my boy is old enough to wear belts now.
Okay, FOUR extra kids? That’s incredibly rude and the other mom is so obviously trying to put her on the spot w/ this one. Sorry I haven’t planned for/budgeted for that many children and I made my plans quite early. That goes so beyond average everyday rudenss. The rude mom might want to think about what would happen if all the guests decided they wanted to bring along four more w/ them. A party of 10 could turn into a party of 50! One extra might not be too bad, but FOUR!
Those jeans with the adjustable waste are great. I have a little guy with a tiny little waste but big ol’ ham hock leggies so I always have to look for those. I find really cute stylish looking ones at Target. I think Target is the answer to everything.
Thank you, Swistle.
Thank you readers,
I do so appreciate all the advice. I feel more confident in what to say now, thanks to all of you!
I have a skinny little kid, he’s (at almost 17 months) still wearing 9-12 month jeans, I was able to get a pair that had a broad fold on the bottom and let it down- voila! Jeans that fit his skinny bum
Did anybody notice somebody called Swistle “Bristle”? Tee hee hee hee! Too funny! (even if it was by accident)
Barb is right-on! I’ll keep this in mind for future parties….
Adjustable waist, all the way! The W@l-mart brand (even adj waist ones) always slip right off my kids. I have good luck with TCP brand, Levi’s, and Wrangler’s, too (um, all slim or adj waist). My little one got a pair of LL Bean jeans for X-mas (adj waist) that fit pretty well, too.
Old Navy for skinny-butt jeans, and H&M, and maybe Carter’s. If the baby is still too slim, throw a cloth diaper on him – that’ll do the trick! :)
Target has started making jeans that have adjustable waistbands; at least for toddlers. though you have to check every pair of pants, it is still nice to know others out there have skinny kids :p