Tonight I must have had at least 15, if not closer to 20, teenagers and young adults in my house. The last ones that are leaving just did and a few strays are about on couches, floors and extra bedrooms. For one of these parties, it was pretty mild. We've had as many as 25 young guests in the past. I used to keep track by counting all the shoes!
There are soda cans and paper plates everywhere. The dishwasher is running for the second or third time tonight and I'll need to spend at least another 15 minutes just on the kitchen. I'll probably have some help tomorrow from a few of the guys, but it will take a while to get the house back to normal.
No alcohol was involved, with the exception of the rum & coke I'm having now that everyone is gone or asleep. At one point, it was so loud, my dear husband took refuge in the master bedroom walk in closet because we both have to work tomorrow and he was exhausted.
So, why am I so happy? I knew where all the kids were, and I had a general idea of what they were doing. Mostly playing "Halo" or some other multi-player game although a few may have been watching a movie. We keep a few old TV's around for these occasions. Guests bring extra game consoles, controllers, music, and much of the food. I spend a lot of time talking with my sons' friends and getting to know them. A few even visit me while my older is away at college.
It was LOUD, and there was definitely a lot of foul language that I tried hard to ignore.
I think if more parents would learn to tolerate the occasional messy house and lack of sleep, the world could be a better place. It sure beats having them out drinking, or doing who knows what on a winter Saturday night. Some of these kids (and yes, even at 20, they are kids) don't have an adult in their live they can sit and talk with. Nobody needed it this time, but all of them know that my door is open if they need me. In this day and age, everybody needs that.
Comments(5)