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O/T kids birthday parties...

DeeDeeTX's picture

Ok, totally off topic, but....

I remember when I was a kid, my parents would throw me birthday parties, starting at like age 3, and inviting all the little friends from my class. The parents NEVER stayed...my mom would get a few relatives and watch all of us....even when we were all young.

But I understand that things might not be exactly the same today?

So my DD got a party invite that she really wants to go to this weekend from one of the kids at her little preschool. The thing is, I have an appointment in the middle of the party time. I can pick DD up and drop her off, but I can't stay there the whole time. The invitation doesn't specify whether they want parents to stay or not.

I can't think of a good way to ask without it coming off wrong. "uhm, yeah, so I have an appointment. My kid can come if I don't have to stay, but if you want me there, she can't come," sounds kind of rude to my ears.

Help!

Comments

momagainfor4's picture

I think that is a valid question. I would say, I have an appt but I can drop my daughter off if it's ok, then come when I'm done...will that be ok? Or do the parent's need to stay?
It's easy and simple and you shouldn't feel rude for asking a normal question.

What would be rude is just dropping off your kid and not asking.

ThatGirl's picture

I never expected to stay for a kid's birthday unless it was specified on the invite. Does the invite say a start and finish time? If so, I think you're good Smile

overworkedmom's picture

My older 2 are 6 now and I am still expected to stay at parties. It is starting to drive me nut though! I was asking another parent about when we get to start dropping off for parties and she was saying around 8 is when parents are letting go and doing party drop of... I personally think its dumb and I wouldn't be offended if a parent did a party drop off to me, but who knows! I would say ask the hosts...

CrazieCoconut86's picture

My friends parents never stayed at my parties. It was a drop the kid off thing. But, my generation is a bit more well behaved then this younger one. My parents raised me to where I get a spanking if I acted up. Today, you act up and you get rewarded. I don't think some of these parents want to deal with someone elses kid who will throw a fit when they aren't the center of attention. They would rather let the kids parent deal with them.

I am on a budget tho. Come next year when SS turns 6 and he will have friends over, no parents. I can't afford to feed them all.

herewegoagain's picture

That's a tough one. Although I know that some people do such parties, ie. drop off the kid, I think that it really depends on the age of the kids. I think that most parents wouldn't much mind if the kids are older, ie. 10+ but under that, I think that I would feel a bit uncomfortable if someone even asked me and expected me to be their free sitter. It's a birthday party, not a free sitter party. That's just me. Do you know anyone else who is invited to the party that has possibly gone to other birthdays there? They might be able to give you a clue.

herewegoagain's picture

That's a tough one. Although I know that some people do such parties, ie. drop off the kid, I think that it really depends on the age of the kids. I think that most parents wouldn't much mind if the kids are older, ie. 10+ but under that, I think that I would feel a bit uncomfortable if someone even asked me and expected me to be their free sitter. It's a birthday party, not a free sitter party. That's just me. Do you know anyone else who is invited to the party that has possibly gone to other birthdays there? They might be able to give you a clue.