It's that time of the year again when the Nursery crowd have a rush of birthday parties. For the parents it's a necessary ordeal - the kids are too small to be left on their own, and you're kind of stuck hanging around with people that you're unlikely to see again in a couple of years time.
So the investment of effort in being sociable and friendly is kind of wasted - and everyone feels very much the same. It would be a whole lot easier if we all made a declaratory statement upfront about this and then we'd feel less uncomfortable just staring blankly at each other for 2 hours while our little ones get excited about playing with a multi-coloured sheet.
I don't like to drink at children's parties in case I start saying things I shouldn't.
I prefer to draw them later on and post them online so the whole internet can see.
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I don't think we will be very popular at the next birthday parties