Yesterday a parent of one of my DS's classmates called to see if he could come to a party today. Which was OK, short notice, but I hate to turn any new friend down, they just moved here a few months ago. So we went ( I had to find a sitter for DD because when I asked about bringing her it was a round about no, also ok), but when we get there none of the other moms stayed? I felt very out of place, I had never met these people before, but we ended up getting along fine and had a wonderful time. I expected more adults and at least someone I knew.

At what age to you leave your child at a party? I would not have gotten a sitter if I could have just left him there? These were 5 and 6 year olds btw.


And I had a nice time and they sent home some food with me, I was thinking about sending a little note saying how much fun we had and thanks for having us? Sound corny?

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

I always stay, my kids are 10, 8 and 6. Still staying. Its not insulting to the parents I don't think. Most of the parents that come to our circle of friends parties always stay and we have all know each other for years. Its not the parents I would worry about but, you don't know their family or the adult friends that would be there. You wouldn't drop your kid off at a park and leave them there b/c you don't know whos coming around. Don't feel weird, your just being a good, watchful mommy!!

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Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

Very true, I am not much of a worry wort, but especially since this was the first time we had ever been invited there and I had never even met the parents. I didn't think twice about staying until I saw the other kids without parents?

I thought I was just out of the loop!

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

No, no very normal.....your exactly like me!!.......Wait...I think you might want to be seen by a professional...LOL!!

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Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

We had my son's 8yr. old birthday party a while back. I was not sure who was going to stay, or who was going to leave, so I made sure to have refreshments on hand for adults as well. Only one mom stayed out of the whole group (which really was fine for me). So, this was really the first year for our drop-off parties-when he had his five-year old party all the parents stayed, and it was most appreciated by me. Just reminds me though-when my son "graduated" from preschool, we decided to have a little afternoon pool party at our house-we had a big inground swimming pool. The kids were 4 yrs. old. One mom called and specifically asked if she needed to stay at the party. Hello?????????

LOL! We do seem to have similar opinions, I remember thinking that about you on another post.

I think YOU'RE the one in trouble! My Mom IS a professional, and she's been working on me my whole life, I think that's why I am so screwed up!

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

My two youngest are 11 and 10 and I stay most of the time. We have a group of friend where the parents always stay. It is our time to get together and talk. We were just at a party today at the park for an 11 year old. Almost all the parents stayed.

I always stay. My DD went to a swimming party last week and I was the only mom that stayed!!!...these kids are 7!!!!!!!!!! I would NEVER assume that someone would watch my child closley enough to leave her at a swimming pool.
On the other side of the party scene, I am always thankful when parents stay at our parties, you can always use the help!

Around here parents dont usually stay after the start of elementary school unless it is swimming or some sort of field-trip type party.

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rhapsody112@gmail.com

my 4 year old went to a friends party recently and I left. I guess I didn't know there were regulations I should follow. I felt comfortable since his dad was a cop.

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

Ppl do that alot with cops and firefighters, I think its b/c we were raised to believe anyone that has a helping job is okay.

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Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

I have known the parents of the parties we go to at least by seeing/talking to them at school. I stayed at one party when DS was 5 and now we drop him off. None of the other parents stay either.Take into account that all the parties DS has been to have been at *places* (bounce house type party places) and not at someone's home. I had a party for DD last year when she turned 5, expected at least a few parents to stay and not one did. I stay at DD's because she likes me too (and I like to chat)

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

It's a great idea to stay when you don't know the parents and the kids are young.
And send that note!

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!

when I had my dd's in nov she was 6 all the moms or grandmas left the kids heck they acted happy about it & wanted to leave siblings I told them NO but I would give the siblings goodie bags

As for my own 6yr old shes only went to one other girls party but she lives close by & has another child thats 12 the same as my oldest so my oldest went with her they live so close & have kids the same ages as all of mine so it usually works out good with them. And I did let one of that girls sisters come to my dds party but they were friends some of the others siblings my dd didnt know.

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mom of 3 greats girls

Always err on the side of caution... You know that saying?

You did the right thing. I only leave if I both know the parents AND my child says that he is okay with me leaving.

Otherwise, I'm there helping and enjoying myself as much as possible.

The note is a nice idea too. That is sweet of you to think of that!

My daughter just turned 9, and I was comfortable with letting her go to birthday parties alone last year for the first time. I will state however that it has to be a parent that I know, and am comfortable with, otherwise we just don't go at all. My just turned 6 yr old daughter, I let go to a party alone last weekened, but that was because the mom is actually our 1st grade teacher, and I was completely comfortable with that. Otherwise in K, and 1st grade, they don't attend birthday parties at homes, simply because for some reason the parents seem to expect the parents to just drop off their kid, and leave, and I won't do that.

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If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers... - Homer Simpson

Hopefully you RSVP. Poor little kids when no one shows up. I say this because I did a party for my son when not one friend showed up. This happened right after we moved to this town. Broke my heart. We have since settled in but that was a REALLY hard year!

Oh, the poor little guy! That's terrible!!

We were 1 of 2 kids that weren't relatives, I don't know how many they invited, but she only called the day before so that was sort of short notice. I try not to turn any invitation down, especially a new friend and then on top of that they had just moved in. The Mom called again tonight and I saw her at baseball, the boys are doing "twin day" at school tomorrow, very cute.

I will write that note, she is very friendly and it seems like she's having trouble making friends with the moms, people in this little town aren't always the friendliest if you don't fit the mold, kwim?

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

From school age, you don't need to stay, but if you're polite, I don't see any harm in sticking in around. At least, that's how I understand it. Do send the note; saying thank you is SO important, and not done nearly often enough!

Well we always RSVP'ed that we couldn't make it...I don't think that is always the case..I had a joint birthday party for both of my girls a couple years ago..it was outside, and we rented a HUGE bounce arena/house..invited both of their entire classes, and only 3 kids showed up even though I specified on the birthday invite that parents were welcome to stay and enjoy the festivities. At the last few parties my girls have gone to, only about 5 kids show up at most..and that is at popular places like arcades, skating places, etc. It seems to be the trend now,..at least around here.

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If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers... - Homer Simpson

That is good.

I guess if you can figure out the trends of the area in which you live, that is best. Especially if you are new to town.

I guess I've taken it off-topic!!! Sorry...

Flipper! You are handling things great.

We all know horror stories of kids bday parties. I went to one where the child fell off a hammock and sent 2 weeks in the hospital or another where they had wild animals and the leporad bit a girl on the head. I went to one at a bowling alley and the mom dropped off her 4 year old and left! He didn't know where to go or what to do. I always stayed especially with young ones, now that my children are older they get dropped off, but even then moms stay and chat and help.

Alot of parties here in FL are swim one because they are easy. I always ask about a lifeguard being there because you can hire one for almost nothing and the kids are safe. Plus if the parents say no, I tell them I have a number for one if they feel like they need one. My children swim but when you add the other children in the pool it really can become unsafe. I always stay for swim parties.

If I don't feel right about where the party is being held I just RSVP that we cann't make it. I always RSVP either way because I too had a party and so few people RSVPed that I started to call them to see if they were coming!!