Work farewell party: WWYD?

NicoleWI

My farewell party at work is this Friday. I work(ed) with about 50 people. It will be an all-staff potluck and I will say a few words of thanks. My supervisor asked if I want to bring my husband and kids--spouses are totally normal at parties at my office, but there hasn't been a situation like this before involving kids. 

On the one hand, it would be cool for my eldest to have a memory of mom's work, and I know everyone would LOVE to see the kids (people sometimes bring kids in for short periods of time but b/c I live far away that didn't usually work for me). I would love to show off the cute kids. On the other hand, trying to get through a potluck lunch with three small kids, making their plates, hauling boosters, bibs, sippies, etc, and trying to talk to people at the same time, seems awful. Plus, I am afraid the kids will act weird. I'm sure they will be shy with all kinds of people trying to talk to them and I am afraid someone will have a meltdown. And, there are logistical hassles b/c DD has preschool and we'd have to take two separate cars if we all go.

First, I said I'd try to bring them, but now I am having second thoughts. WWYD? 

UPDATE: I am not bringing the little ones. Just deciding now about bringing my eldest (we'd go straight from her school) and whether DH should come or not. 

aglenn

I personally wouldn't, because my kids would not allow me to have any adult conversation and I would assume people would want to have a chance to say goodbye, wish me luck, etc.  This may have a lot to do with my particular kids, though...so if your oldest one is able to hang out in an environment like that and not demand constant attention I could see it working out OK, but still think she'd probably be bored and it wouldn't be worthwhile.  So I guess I'm going with no. 

VOR

I wouldn't . I'm not really sure how important it is that your child have a memory of your work place.

jf198400

I would rather go by myself so I could enjoy talking to everyone. Especially since there won't be any kids for them to play with or anything fun for them. Even at a normal kid party I never get to have an adult conversation.

jlaOK

I'd go by myself or have DH come too for the reasons listed above and because my kids don't do well when I mess up their daycare daily routine (lunch, nap, snack, etc.).