AIBU to avoid children's parties?

[Pumpkinsandconkers]

My daughter is just 1, and suddenly there is this influx of 'birthday parties.' I just don't get it! The kids don't even know it's their birthday, I often don't even really know the parents (their DC goes to nursery with mine or we vaguely know them through other friends)
AIBU want to spend weekends as a family, not at yet another soft play place with people I don't know/like? When DD turned 1 we went to the farm, the 3 of us and had pancakes for tea!
I know when she's older she'll want to go to parties but I don't understand the point at this age!

[Beamur]

Don't go then 😄

[Andcake]

Up to you ... Around 2-3 I think kids start wanting to play more with each other- in fairness at 1 ds did too.

Being used to some other kids who he eventually went nursery and school with has I think made life easier for him.

Just dont go to them all choose.

I also now ds is 5 have some lovely friends I've met through ds ( as well as some parents I'm less bothered about)

[Sparklingbrook]

They can be a useful starting point for making some lasting friendships but don't go if you don't fancy it.

[Bringmewineandcake]

Aged 1 and you don't know the families? That would be a no from me

[TheHungryDonkey]

I thought first birthday parties were parents celebrating making it through the first year. Can't see a problem with that. Don't go if you don't like it.

[Slartybartfast]

how are these invitations coming?
how do you know these people?
people want to celebrate, dont rain on their parade

[Slartybartfast]

i had friends for my ds first birthday, it was a milestone i wanted to celebrate. on with pfb though. the rest turned into family only celebrations

[TammySwansonTwo]

We had a party for the twins a few weeks ago - it was more for family and mum friends to all get together though, if you don't know them I wouldn't bother!

[randomer]

Don't bother. Very boring and expensive.

[Bubblebubblepop]

Love parties. Not too young. It's great to make a fuss of them

[TheStoic]

I actually hate kids parties. Hate them. My idea of hell.

You'll have to go to some, though, at some stage. Unfortunately.

[NerrSnerr]

It's up to you. My daughter started getting aware of parties just after she turned 2. Now she's 3 we go to loads of parties but she loves them.

[Slartybartfast]

They are more for adults at this age to make friends

[KitKat1985]

I wouldn't bother taking a 1 year old either, unless it's for a close friend.

[Summerswallow]

Parties are a way of making and cementing friendships, for the adults as well as the children. If you don't want more friends, or want your children to have more friends, you don't need to go, do you?

[Pollaidh]

Personally I find it's a good way to make friends with the other parents. Nursery drop off tends to be chaotic and DH does most of them anyway. DD (7) had a lot more parties to attend and we ended up knowing the other parents pretty well, becoming friendly etc. Some have ended up in the same school, or if not, same holiday club (we arrange that) so it's lovely.

Recently noticed with DS (3) that he hadn't been to many parties and we only knew one set of parents. It didn't seem to be a party-crowd (lots of first-borns instead of younger siblings). So we had a biggish party for him and we've since had 4 invitations.

He's very pleased because he's longingly watched big sister go to parties, and now he gets to go to parties himself. Several mothers at his party mentioned it was the first party their younger child had attended and they were so pleased, for the same reason (making parent friends, and jealousy of older sibling parties).

[Puppymouse]

DH and I have same dilemma. Loathe taking DD (4) to parties. She rarely enjoys them and gets super anxious and we end up chaperoning her on play equipment as she refuses to leave our side. We tend to accept 50% of the invitations and ask her if she wants to go. It's only a couple of hours every couple of months and it feels like the right thing to do for her socially to get her used to it.

[5rivers7hills]

Well if you've got loads of amazing friends the. Yeah, don't bother going. Who needs opportunities to make friends eh?

[RedSkyAtNight]

It's for the parents to socialise, not the DC. It's worth taking the time to get to know them - if nothing else you may need a favour one day.

[FlakeBook]

Toddlers with older siblings are usually desperate for birthday parties once they see big brother and sister having them.