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AIBU?

Child's party - paying for adults WWYD?

111 replies

partypartypartyparty · 01/03/2019 11:21

For my DD 8th birthday she wants to go to a waterpark near us with a swimming pool and lots of different slides. She is inviting about 10 friends, mix of boys and girls. The waterpark does a party package and it includes 2 free adult entries to supervise the children so that will be me and my DH. If any additional adults are attending it costs £15 for entry for them and £5 if they just want to spectate. My issue is whether parents would be expecting to attend?

We are both happy to supervise all the children and this is what I had planned to do, however when I was sorting the invites I wasn't sure if parents would be comfortable with this because it is a waterpark? I would be fine with DD being supervised by other parents at a waterpark but she is a very sensible child.

My other issue is if parents do want to attend whether they would expect to be paid for. We are already stretched to the limit on our budget for the party so really don't think we could pay for them, however I don't know whether this would seem cheeky saying this on the invite.

What does everyone think?

OP posts:
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Elpheba · 01/03/2019 11:24

Totally reasonable for them to pay if they want to come. I’d just put on the invite- DH and I will he supervising the children. If you did want to attend, you’re most welcome it costs £15 for a ticket or £5 to spectate, payable on the day to the water park.
That way you’re being clear and I imagine most parents will be very thankful to drop and run or if they’re worried they know to pay to stay.

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Borttagen · 01/03/2019 11:25

My DD is 7 and no way would I let her go to a water park with that many kids and only two adults. And she can swim really well. I would happily pay for myself but would appreciate being told that was an option on the invitation so I wouldn't be worrying about how to address it myself. I think you should explain the ratio and say you're happy to supervise and if other parents want to come they're welcome to do so and entry for adults costs £15 for swimmers and £5 for spectators.

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Leeds2 · 01/03/2019 11:25

I would just put on the invite that if a parent wishes to attend, it will be £15 entry, or £5 to spectate, payable on the gate. I would add that attendance is not necessary, as you and DH have it covered.
Must admit though, I would have more than 2 adults to supervise ten 8 year olds.

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JRMisOdious · 01/03/2019 11:27

At that price I would expect them to pay but would provide tea/coffee/ and a snack if it’s over lunchtime as a gesture.

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Mummyoflittledragon · 01/03/2019 11:28

I think that’s fine. You tell them they are welcome to drop and run. Or come in but there is a charge and you are happy to supervise. Some children have medical conditions though. I wouldnt be happy to just leave my dd with you because of this. You need to ensure children don’t have one Eg seizures etc before you agree to supervise them.

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NannyR · 01/03/2019 11:29

I would pay for one or two other adults to be there supervising, you don't know the other kids swimming abilities and if, for example, one kid needs the loo, you've only got one parent supervising the other nine.

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RiverTam · 01/03/2019 11:29

DD was invited to a waterpark thing at the Olympic park - she's a good swimmer but I was concerned as it's a huge, deep pool and I know another dad did go because of these concerns.

Turned out (but not clear on the website at all) that all the kids wore bouyancy aids, there were squillions of lifeguards and the whole thing was run like a military operation.

So I would try to find out as much as you can about the set up and then let parents know on the invites that they can attend and what the price is.

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Meandmetoo · 01/03/2019 11:30

Presumably there will be lifeguards there so no need for extra parents to help, so I wouldn't pay but would say if they want that as an option they can pay X on the day.

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CalmdownJanet · 01/03/2019 11:31

I would ask another adult to go with you and pay for their entry, then I would write on the invites that there are adults to supervise 10 kids but if patents would rather come they are welcome and the spectator fee is £5

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Babymamamama · 01/03/2019 11:31

I don't see how two people can support a whole party group. Surely the adult child ratio would need more adults factored in.... My DD wasn't a confident swimmer at that age so I wouldn't have let her go unless I went in too.

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JRMisOdious · 01/03/2019 11:32

“NannyR

I would pay for one or two other adults to be there supervising, you don't know the other kids swimming abilities and if, for example, one kid needs the loo, you've only got one parent supervising the other nine.”

Our water park, massive indoor one in North West, provides a supervising member of staff too when you book a party package. (I think they may be legally required to).

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Missnearlyvintage · 01/03/2019 11:32

I'd just write the info on the invites or send a message to all of the parents and let them decide whether they want to come.

It's not your responsibility I don't think to pay for any of the adults.

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Meandmetoo · 01/03/2019 11:35

I wouldn't pay for drinks etc for the adults either, these places charge a fortune and ive never been to a party where this was provided. I've always expected to pay for myself if I want anything to eat or drink. It's my DC who are invited, not me.

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Valentinesschmalentines · 01/03/2019 11:36

No problem if an adult needs the loo, you’re in a swimming pool 😉

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outpinked · 01/03/2019 11:37

Can all of the children that have been invited swim? That would be my first concern and also whether they are all confident swimmers. Presumably they will decline the invite if not though I suppose. I’m not sure two adults to ten children is enough.

I would add on the invite that they’re welcome to attend if they wish and that it costs £15.

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MyDcAreMarvel · 01/03/2019 11:40

You are putting parents in an impossible situation where they have no choice but to pay. An 8 year old party will be 7 and 8 year old children. There should be at least five adults supervising.

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Readytogogogo · 01/03/2019 11:43

I would probably offer to pay for them if they wish to spectate, but that they don't need to stay. I'd also say that they aren't expected to participate, but if they want to, the cost is £15.

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domesticslattern · 01/03/2019 11:45

Two adults to 11 kids is a high ratio, especially as you have no idea if the other kids are confident swimmers etc. I would definitely invite slightly fewer kids.
My DD went to a pool party and I found it afterwards that it was mayhem. Kids running amok, slipping over on the side, dunking each other and the dad more interested in taking photos Shock which he then put on Facebook Hmm I would not have let her go if I had known what it was like, even though she is a strong swimmer. Also the changing rooms were shambolic and took forever as many kids don't seem to know how to get changed, use lockers, use showers, remember all their stuff etc. without a hovering adult.

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SchadenfreudePersonified · 01/03/2019 11:45

"Spectate" is the weirdest verb . . .

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SoupDragon · 01/03/2019 11:48

Im not particularly over protective but I think 2 adults supervising a bunch of excited 8 year olds at a water park is madness.

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Piffle11 · 01/03/2019 11:50

I think you're very brave … no way would I and DH be supervising 10 kids in a waterpark! What if half of them can't swim? I don't think you would be able to rely on staff, etiher, as usually no 7/8 year old would be in the pool without an responsible adult. I think you would be able to watch 2/3 kids each at max. You've also got to consider that even though you are willing to let parents join you - if they pay - they might not want to. My DS was invited to a party at a leisure centre a few years ago: the children were only 5 and an adult was required to go in the pool with each child (for free). A lot of the parents didn't want to do it, for whatever reason (I know some couldn't swim themselves and some didn't want to be seen in a swimming costume). I think I would be asking DD if she could think of something on dry land.

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waterrat · 01/03/2019 11:50

I have a 7 year old there is no way he would be okay swimming in a group of 10 - he can't swim well at all.

If you 'need' adults to attend to help then yes you pay. If you think you don't need them you should explain how the ten children will be properly supervised. Then you could add 'if you want to come along it's £15'.

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IggyPoppers · 01/03/2019 11:51

I don't think it will be safe with those ratios. Lots of 7-8 year olds won't be strong enough swimmers not sensible enough. If it were me I'd be insisting on a 1:2 ratio and begging other parents to come.

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lyralalala · 01/03/2019 11:53

How on earth will you manage to supervise 11 kids with just 2 adults? Also that means if anything happens and 1 adult needs to deal with a child (injury, lost something etc) then you'll have 1 adult for 11 kids. You need at least 2 more adults imo.

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NannyRed · 01/03/2019 11:53

Ten friends, plus your dd is way too many children for you and your dh to safely monitor in a pool, they will all dart off in ten different directions!

Ask a couple of others to help you, at your cost.

If I was holding a water park party for such young children, I’d have only invited 3 others. Any more than four children is going to a struggle.

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