My husband, who’s working for the travel industry, is invited to parties and get-togethers on a regular basis. When a new hotel is opened (since this is Dubai, a fairly new city with hotels sprouting every day) they are invited for a cocktail party to socialize with people of the same field. He asked me to come with him for a party tonight and I’ve said yes when he asked me earlier this week. However, since I am still having flu, not feeling well and honestly would rather spend time with our daughter at home, he was upset.

I am anti-social. I hate parties, networking and shy.

All his words.

I asked myself, since when did I become this way? Though I was not about all-nighters when I was single, I did enjoy going to parties, meeting people or just hanging out with friends. But now, I would always prefer staying at home after work, watching a movie or reading a book with Pristine and sleeping early. I have isolated myself from the crowd (he says) and this should change. Does it sound sober? because, really, it’s not. I am happy and at peace at home.

I hope there’s nothing wrong with me?

I have thought deep and hard and came up with the probable reasons why I don’t like to go out to party: 

Guilt to leave my own kid at home: I work 6 days a week and my mother takes care of her after school. I want her to take a rest of her duties whenever I am available so I don’t go out on weeknights/weekends and leave the kid to her unless it’s really necessary. So, we rarely go out, heck our anniversary dinner out two weeks ago was the first in 20 months!

I don’t do well late hours at night: Last month we went to a party with our Japanese family friend, some people were there also and honestly I did not enjoy it. The fact that it was held at a Thursday night (end of the work week for us) was mostly the reason I was drained and didn’t have that much energy to socialize or laugh at the corny jokes. I do not like staying late at night - does that make me a bad person?

Trying to be a mom who’s there: Working 6 days a week is what drives me to create the balance that’s needed at home. To make up for all the time, not in an obligatory kind of way. It’s just me now and though I am very much ok with it, my husband thinks otherwise.

What should have I done? Was it a better idea to go to the party he wanted to take me to even if I know I wouldn’t enjoy it?