To ask if 6:30 on a Sunday evening is too late...

[magicmummy1]

for a six-year old's birthday party to finish?

Opinions please!

[stickytoffeepud]

not really, depends what time it starts

[BornInAfrica]

Well it is if it started at 10pm Saturday yes

[emkana]

Too late definitely. Wouldn't mind it on a Saturday.

[worraliberty]

It's not massively late but I would be a bit put out if I had to pick my child up at that time, get them home, bathed and sorted for bed by 7.30pm.

Still though, it's not too unreasonable.

[compo]

yes sunday evenings are for washing uniform and manky lunch boxes and bath and hair wash and bed early
imo

[igetmorelovefromthecat]

I think 6pm would be acceptable to most people but you are pushing it with 6.30pm - it would be a late night before school by the time peoples kids got home, wound down, had a bath/washed hair and all that other Sunday stuff.

[magicmummy1]

Starts at 4:30pm, includes a cooked meal.

[thisisyesterday]

hmm i think it could be a bit late yes

by the time you've got them home, calmed them down, got them ready for bed...

not sure. then again it is a one-off isn't it, so i guess i wouldn't mind that much

[Coffeeisking]

My 3year old was invited to a 3rd birthday on a sunday at 6pm till 8pm! they all had a full day at pre-school on monday.

I did not take her. Of the children that did go struggled the next day and there was alot of tears by 3pm.

But i think at 6 most at that age would be ok to finish at 6.30. they could be home, bathed and in bed by 8. easy.

[squeakytoy]

I would say better to do it on a Saturday at that time.

[magicmummy1]

Thanks all - confirms what I thought really. :(

It's the only time I can get for dd's top choice of venue, and it would be ok for us but I guessed it would be a bit late for some. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

[note to self to be more organised next year]

[DorisIsAPinkDragon]

I would prefer it done by 6 but if it's unavoidable, I would do it as a one off. We aim for early bath and bed sunday here too.

[southeastastra]

it's fine, birthday parties used to be 4-6 it was the law

[PaperView]

Would be fine for us too. Unless it was very far away.

[magicmummy1]

For those who think it's too late, would 6pm be acceptable? Or should I just look for something else?

[magicmummy1]

Not far away - no more than 5-10 mins drive for most.

[PaperView]

Be fine for me then.

Does everybody have a schedule on a Sunday that is non-negotiable?

[Lilyloo]

I think 6 pm would be fine

[MrsPlesWearsAFez]

It would depend on where it was.

We don't drive and transport here is non-existent after 5pm on a Sunday.

[mumnotmachine]

Its only half an hour and a one off

YANBU, especially if its where your DC has set their heart on

[onepieceofcremeegg]

PaperView I agree with you.

we don't have a non-negotiable schedule on Sundays. My 3 year old has been to parties on Sundays (more than once) that finish at 6.30. It's not ideal, but not impossible.

I would bath the children before the party, although I guess they might need a bit of a flannel wash after the party. I would make sure uniforms etc already done, or plan to do them later.

I would be grateful that the dcs would be fed hot food at the party.

Home by 7, quick swish, drink of water, story. Easily in bed by 7.30-8 and likely to be straight to sleep.

[nulgirl]

Would be fine for us. My kids don't go to bed until after 8pm so if they had already eaten at the party then it would only mean that we give them a bath then stories etc. Bedtime is not set in stone especially at the weekend. I would have thought that 6 year olds would be able to cope fine with that

Some of my friends are a bit obsessed with getting their kids in bed for 7pm so I can see how some families might not like it though.

[magicmummy1]

Maybe I'll just shorten it to an hour and a half, then, and finish at 6pm.

Transport shouldn't be a problem for anyone.

Thanks all for your thoughts.

[mumnotmachine]

I wouldnt shorten it. I people want to leave at 6, let them!

[magicmummy1]

Hmm, not sure. Don't want to piss people off by making them feel obliged to stay till the end if it's too late.

I have a child who never sleeps, so lack normal perspective on this issue!