Home > Holiday Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIs your New Year Eve’s party family friendly?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Our family has been invited to a family-friendly New Year’s Eve party. The invitation said no need to get a babysitter. All ages are welcome. They are planning dancing and singing in one room, a poker room for the dads in another area and a game room for the kids. They’re asking families to BYOB and to bring an appetizer to share. I think they’re planning to go pretty late, but I’m thinking I’m bringing my kiddies home around 10 p.m. But I do think it’s nice to have some place to celebrate with other families.
The story talks about family parties at aquariums, water parks, winter lodges and indoor carnivals, among many other locations.
Is your New Year’s Eve an adult-only holiday or can kids join the celebration? What are your plans with your kids? How late will you stay out with them? How old should they be to stay up until midnight? Do you worry about drunks on the road when you’re driving home?
And, if you want to share your New Year fun, send us photos!
Comments
By Christina
December 31, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Last year was the first year my husband and I celebrated New Years without the kids, and it was LOUSY! We love celebrating with other families in the neighborhood. The kids love staying up late and doing sparklers, and since we keep it in the neighborhood, there is no danger from drunk drivers. New Years with the kids ROCKS!
By Bart
December 31, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
It’s a time for families to congregate on NY’s eve. We pile up over at cousin Earl’s around 7:00 pm. About 50 of us total..brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles,legal spouses and live in’s. It’s a huge spread with take out KFC all our favorite sides. Children run around like wild animals. Most of this due to the fact we are too busy chasing materialistic items. We all love our houses,suv’s and huge flat screens. Thus, we lack the energy, nor have the desire to shape and mold our children into repsonsible adults. When they become older, maybe they too can try and win the lotto like the rest of us.Who needs a stable background? Financial responsibility is only a quick pic away. Anyway, after that it’s a night illegal and dangerous fireworks until the booze runs dry.Most always get a kick out a hearing the howls of frightened pets. The party has been known to last until around noon the next day. Barring no trips to the local emergency room, we then conclude the festivities with a massive sausage eating contest. Always fun and family friendly.
By Bart
December 31, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
My bad. Scratch all that. We’re going to go see the 800lbs faux chicken nugget dropped in honey mustard sauce. Yea!
By jmc
December 31, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Oh no, if anyone brings a brat tonight they’ll politely be asked to leave. If you take your children around adults that are drinking, your a crappy parent to say the least.
By ecw
December 31, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Wow. What a judgment to make on someone (in reference to jmc’s comment about being a crappy parent to have children around when they’re drinking. Unless you’re getting drunk off your rocker, I’d say that’s a little harsh).
My family has been getting together with 4-5 other families for the last three years on New Year’s eve. We bring the kids in their pajamas, feed them, then let them all jump into bed and watch a movie. Around 9:00, we put them in respective beds, sleeping bags and let them go to sleep. Then, the adults enjoy a late dinner and toast in the New Year. We do have drinks and even some champagne at midnight. I think we’re all responsible enough to have a few drinks, while our kids are in the same house with us. It’s a great time and the kids all look forward to it each year. Careful with your generalizations, jmc.
Happy New Year to all!
By ecw
December 31, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
I forgot to mention that we all live in the same neighborhood and WALK home at the end of the evening! So, no worries about being on the road or having even slightly too much to drink!
By Cousin Earl
January 1, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this
Bart,
You are no longer welsome at my house. Making out with your boyfriend in front of the kids is not acceptable. Then, you get drunk and pass out, face down in the chicken bucket. Not to mention, your jealous rants about not being able to afford a big screen TV are tiresome. We know it’s not your fault that your boss was indicted for child molestation, and hope the incriminating evidence found at your apartment doesn’t hold up in court. Next year, you and Ralph, your significant other, will have to find other free food to mooch, not mine. SIGNED WITH LOVE: Cousin Earl
By Karen
January 1, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this
We had a family friendly New Year’s Eve. The kids (around age 15) had their party in the basement with lots of food, TV, games, etc. The parents were upstairs with plenty of food and games, no alcohol. We had a great time. Its funny to see a group of adults play Apples to Apples and other games. Some watched sports on TV, some played games….we had a great time. Love the family friendly events.
By rissasmom
January 1, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
I agree that celebrating with your children is the way to go for a lot of occasions.
However, let me just say that parents who get drunk with their kids around, should have their kids taken. I’ve seen this on more than one occasion and the look on the child’s face is heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking. The child is basically on their own at the point, because if mom or dad is drunk and acting out, the poor kids see it and know it. It is just so sad. And no, they weren’t my friends or even an acquaintance of mine, or I could have and would have said something.
By shureal
January 1, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this
Christmas and Easter is family time. New year’s is for true playa’s, Halloween is for all God’s peeps!