Should I stay or should I go?

LegacyUser

Im due to fly to the UK this weekend to see a very close friend, her husband and their nearly one year old son.On Sunday I found out they are now having a bbq for his first birthday on the saturday and 26 adults and 16 kids/babies will be there. I just dont want to go anymore now.

I have nothing against parties, adults or kids, but what i thought was going to be a cool weekend hanging out with my friends, shopping and going out for some drinks and boogie has now turned into get the place ready (putting up marque etc), shopping, cleaning and of course the bbq itself. I have been over to the UK heaps of times and they too have come to see me heaps of times and we always have a great time. I just really really dont want to go now, i dont want to be the unhired help getting the place ready and cleaning up afterwards, i dont want to assist babysitting 16 kids and i really dont want to be listening to boring conversations about babies, babies, babies (its even worse as the majority of them have all been at mother baby group together).

Im 35 single and no dependents (not even a pet, i have a far to busy life it wouldnt be fair on the animal), so i also know (not just feel) i will get those sympathic looks, chats etc when they find out horror of horror Im single! Im happy being me and being single etc but some people dont comprehend that.

How bad is it if i suddenly start developing a chest infection and therefore cant go, or do i be honest and say i cant be dealing with all that, its not my cup of tea? Or do i just go?

Terodil

My very personal take on this: I wouldn't go. I'm not sure I'd invent a lie but I definitely wouldn't go.

LegacyUser

As a single female with a good few married friends with kids, I wouldnt be inclined to go either! With the distance involved it should be easy to make up some kind of plausible excuse. You can always go another weekend instead.

SarahSassy

Like you I would have NO interest in the 'smug married and babies' (SMAB's I affectionately call them) brigade.... Its not interesting to dodge ankle grabbers while balancing your red wine to make sure it doesnt end up on their cream carpet... Also, you will be the unpaid help and why subject yourself to that... Make an excuse cos she may be hurt if you tell her the truth.

Mention some contagious illness, you can be sure they wont want their 'darling' exposed.

chocgirl

Is your friend relying on you to help out?

If not I don't see the problem in cancelling. Sounds like my idea of hell too!

PCPhoto

go out the night before your flight ..... wake up drunk in some guys place ......just miss your flight - explain to your friends that you'll come over another time :P

LegacyUser

Aww stop, nightmare... i totally know where your coming from, so your valuable time at 35 years old will be to fly to england and spend it with your friends friends, If you were able to have it just with them then it would have been worth going but not now,

Defo make your excuses Op, and with the money you will save this weekend by not going treat yourself to your own shopping spree and a spa treatment and go out dancing too!!
You were prob looking forward to the break so do something else for you instead!!

CDfm

Forget the missed flight.An acute attack of dysentry sends most parents into a frenzy.Ring your friend while flushing.

Firetrap

If you don't want to go, the best way out of it is to cancel with an excuse. A bout of food poisoning/sick stomach is a nice neutral one. At least with something like that, you don't have to construct any elaborate excuses. Your friend's going to have so many people landed in on her anyway that you won't be missed.