Is playing with kids in the house a bad idea?

[two_newinhfx]

my husband and I are very new, with no experiece at all, but are both looking forward to meeting new people and, eventually, having some fun.
We live in a small city that does not have (to our knowledge) any events for us to participate in or clubs we can go to. We have more or less come to accept that we will probably have to meet someone online and "entertain."
This suits us just fine, with one exception: we have 2 kids. Having them spend the night somewhere is not an option as we don't know many people and our youngest is only a baby. So assuming we met a couple we were interested in, we would have to take them back to our place, where there would be 2 kids sleeping.
I see this as a huge problem, and it makes me uncomfortable to think of us engaging in these activities with our kids in the house. What if the 8 year old wakes up and hears strange noises? Talk about killing the mood if, in the thick of things, I had to get up to tend to one of my kids.
My husband disagrees. He says that the majority of couples our age probably have kids too, and that there would be a level of understanding that exists. He sees no problem in meeting online, giving out our address, and having the couple over for a few drinks some evening after the kids are asleep.
Since neither of us know the etiquette when it comes to children, would anyone care to comment and/or advise?
Any input will be appreciated!

[ohcpl43952]

There's a lock on our bedroom door. We use it when we want privacy. Even if it's just the two of us.

We rarely play if the kids are home. Only 2-3 times (in our 7 yrs or so) to the best of my recollection. And the older they get the harder it becomes.

[Bad Sandy]

Get a baby sitter and indulge in a hotel room. You'll be more relaxed knowing there won't be any little ones jiggling the door handle. You don't have to use the hotel room overnight. Your guests can do that.

[Chicup]

The kids are not a real problem, but I would NOT have a couple over to your house for a first time meeting.

Trust me on this, people are not always who, or what they seem on line.

[Sweet_Candy]

Originally Posted by Chicup

The kids are not a real problem, but I would NOT have a couple over to your house for a first time meeting.

Trust me on this, people are not always who, or what they seem on line.

Dito to this for sure!

[intuition897]

Mr. and I have a rule: no playing with kids in the house. We're lucky enough that we have family who enjoy having the kids over for the weekend, so it's easy to make this rule stick. I can't tell you what to do, but if it was us and we had to choose between swinging and keeping our kids from finding out about it accidentally because they walked in on something they shouldn't....well...we'd have to choose to put swinging on a back burner until we no longer had to compromise. It's exactly what we're doing right now, except for work reasons.

[JTcamp05]

We always try and have the children away for the weekend, and would never entertain the idea of having the first meeting with kids present, but you will likely find other couples in similer situations. We were friendly with one couple, they had children the same age so it worked well. You will find that you have more in common with couples raising kids also.

Might take more effort to find but you will find its worth it!

[Amanda69]

NO, NO,no and no again. Do not put yourself and your children at risk. It just isn't worth it. Suck it up, get a babysitter and share the cost of a hotel room with another couple or got to a house party.

As Chicup said you can't trust that what is presented on line will be accurate. It is a great place for predators to do their work.

[ShellyM]

We would NEVER entertain in our home. Never ever with our children here, we don't entertain in our home without the children either because we see this as our "family space". I wouldn't chance it, but thats just my opinion. Plus, I don't think you would really be able to relax knowing your children were sleeping in the same home.

[two_newinhfx]

It is just as I thought, and I thank you all for your advice. I was pretty sure from the beginning that it was a bad idea, but to hear it from all of you just confirms my assumption.
On the bright side, we did have some luck online just last night locating two very active clubs in our area, so that is a more a ppealing option to us anyway.
Again, thank you!

[graygo98]

We would never go to someone's home knowing there were kids present. Not even remotely possible, not even for Brad and Angelina. And we would certainly not have potential playmates home if the kids were anywhere around. They are one life, the important one, swinging is another, a fun thing but not anywhere near on the same level. We draw a thick black line between the two.

Also, even without kids, its probably not the best idea to take near strangers into your home. There are clubs in your area. One is listed in this board's club listings just across the harbour in Dartmouth. Also, H-fax Board members have mentioned clubs and events in the area. An off-premise in particular would be a great way to ease into the lifestyle, meet a few people and have a lot of fun.