To stay up or not to stay up

My kids have never rung in the New Year at its appointed time.

Heck, last year was one of the first in recent memories where I made it to midnight before conking out.

This year we'll attend a friend's party where the new year will be rung in at 7pm with more fanfare then most First Night celebrations. Then, after apologizing profusely for the mess left in her home, we'll leave, drive home and promptly tuck our rugrats into bed.

I don't think I'll make it much longer after them.

So what do you do?

Do you put on your game face and stay up until midnight? Do you get a sitter and go out? Do you let the kids stay up with the promise not to light the house on fire, and sneak off to bed?

I used to say the kids had to go to bed because they'd never make it to twelve. But now that they have way more energy than I, it won't be long before they are tucking me into bed first before heading out.

Just not this year.

Comments

[Trenches of Mommyhood]

We are hosting a party. However, my 3 rugrats will be in bed no later than 10pm!

[Margaret]

Our good friends have graciously hosted us and 3-4 other families for New Years the last few years. So we'll head ove rthere - the kids will be occupied with games and activities, the adults will be occupied with beer, food and games and we'll all ring in the New Years together. Then some of them will leave, some of us will leave our kids there and head home (with the promise to return in the morning for breakfast and to claim our kids) and we'll all have fun.