I certainly wouldn't take Yasin to the kind of party that you are describing but I do take him to a few BBQs and small gatherings and he really seems to enjoy the chance to meet new people and be a bit social. Even when he was just a teeny baby he seemed to enjoy himself. I usually try and get him to sleep in a quiet room not too much later than his usual time because if he stays up too late it throws out his routine for the next few days. It can be a bit difficult if MIL is around because she tends to put her needs ahead of Yasin's so she keeps him awake for her own entertainment if I let her . We also take him out to dinner/lunch/brekky with us - its a bit harder now he's a toddler but I figure that if we let him know whats expected from the start its easier than trying to teach him later. Also we don't have many baby sitting options so if we don't take him we don't eat out. Its going to be interesting to see how we cope with two!!!