[Alura]

"Lining up a sitter" can be more difficult than a lot of free couples might imagine, especially if you plan to be out late. Teenagers are usually available only on weekends, and many have to be home early even then. When our kids were young we usually matched our play with weekends the kids would be staying with their grandparents. Our playmates understood.

"Drop In" day care centers are available but sometimes scary and always expensive, especially if you have more than one kid. We once went to pick up our boys and found them huddled in a corner looking scared shitless. The person in charge had no idea who or where they were. We had to walk through the center and find them. When they saw us, they came running in tears. We never did that again.

We seldom went out without our kids. Finding a sitter was a rare and very difficult thing for us. They may not be using their kids as an excuse at all.

I'd suggest y'all and your friends set a target date a few of weeks in the future in order to give them time to arrange for the safe care of their children. If they're able to find a "regular" it will become easier.

Mr. Alura