Letter To Friends Without Kids

We have a lot of friends and love them but most are single or don't have children and I felt this letter was a perfect way to explain to them our perspective. Do you too have tips to share?

Dear Friends Without Children,

I know it's hard for you to understand because I too once didn't have children but please read this letter without being offended but to take into consideration. For the day you will truly understand is the day you become a parent. 

Children are...perfect, hard, demanding and joyous at the same time. They like to eat no later than 5:30. They don't like to be anywhere really that requires them to sit still and be quiet. Getting a Babysitter takes work and planning so when you cancel or change plans our weeks of preparation gets ruined. You can't expect us to be everywhere you want us to be. Our kids take our top priority and it has to be understandable. 

We live a minute to minute basis. Things change all the time  if they are sick or need something we have to be prepared on hand. I know it contradicts that you can't cancel but if we do its not by choice it's by demand. 

Sleep is limited so late night outs are slim since we don't have days to make up for it. But once we have one planned please excuse my limit intake of booze and partying. It's been a while and I can't handle what I used to be able to. 

Kids take your word and hold you to it. Don't say you will see them or bring them something or someplace. They will get scarred with the lie. 

Something simple to us is complex to them. Don't speak in words that when they ask to explain what they mean you will blush. 

Money changes when you have kids. What you used to make gets now spent on diapers and formula and clothes and asking us to take expensive trips or dinner isn't reasonable. Trust me we would love to but it's not in our budget.    

Please continue to invite us places even thought it's annoying that we may not be able to always come. We wish we could but we need to pick and choose what we can do and getting a sitter is tough. 

BTW we do cherish your friendship that's why we care to explain when something doesn't go the way you want it to but you need to also respect our new role and being a parent or being friends with a person who is a parent isn't easy either 

Sincerely

Your hidden old friend inside this parent body!!