Mumsnet Talk

I have just been reading on a different site about people who think its odd not to leave your children at parties. My daughter is 5 just gone into reception, she went to a party last month which was in a hall with around 15-20 children all aged between 4 and 5. One mother was the organizer (single mother so doing it all alone).

I wasnt happy to leave her as 15-20 children all in the care of one woman seems too much especially with the bouncy castle to keep and eye on.

The feeling on the other site seems to be that people leave their children at parties so they "have more fun" but would you leave your children under these circumstances.

I think that many children is too many was I unreasonable to have stayed??

YANBU. If I was the other mum I think I would have been glad of a bit of support. 15 kids in a hall could go wild!!

Kind of agree with you but then think of the reception class in my school where teacher has to look after 19 children on her own all day and seems to do very well.

Tbh though I would have stayed too

just cos she's a 'single mother' doesn't mean she might not have other helpers such as her mother,friend,neighbour or other family around

Madness with a bouncy castle... I would have stayed too!

ILoveTIFFANY she didnt have helpers that was the point in my saying she was single i.e one mother

Golly did no one else stay? There is no way I'd want to look after up to twenty 4 and 5 year olds on my own. Bit different at school because teachers are trained and if it all goes horribly wrong there are other adults in adjoining classrooms who can help out.

Having said that as a single mum I have always ensured that ds has his parties where there will definitely be others to look after the children (eg paid party hosts etc).

hi yes EVERYONE stayed luckily it was a great party and really well organized but I dont think it would have gone so well if all the parents had dropped off then left!

Yanbu. I wouldn't run a party on my own for that many children neither would I leave my dc's at one with just the one adult. I'm sure the children would have just as much fun even with a few more grown ups to keep an eye on them.

yanbu, and as the mother, I would have specifically asked a few parents to stay and help leaving others free to go if they wanted.

yanbu i would stay and help

YANBU - I think it's madness to leave small kids unsupervised. I get a bit peed off (literally) with being one of the mugs who always stays to take crying 4 year olds to the toilet, carry out first aid for cuts, bangs and bruises, dry tears when they decide they want 'mummy', make sure there isn't a riot over the crispie buns and stop little ones from wandering out of village halls on to main roads But abirthday party is often seen as an opportunity for a bit of free baby sitting.