At what age would you leave them at a party by them selves?? (anxious parent alert)

[LowFatMilkshake]

I am a rather over-protective mummy and could be facing a dilema.

DD (4 in Sept) has been invited to a Princess and Pirates party by a little girl in her pre-school.

As far as I know most of the girls at pre-school have been invited and some of the boys too.

But it's the first party she's been invited to where I dont know the parent really well, and have only ever said 'Hi' to her at the gate. And DH or I have always gone with her for the duration of the party before.

I do have to phone the mum to say if we will go or not but I dont know what to do about staying if she says we dont have too, or there is no room for parents etc.

DD will know most children there from pre-school and has no allergies and is very robust and non-clingy so I am sure she would be alright, but I cant help feeling she is still a bit young to beft on her own.

Of course I could be fussing over nothing, as I would think most parents would dread the idea of being left with a load of pre-schoolers and only a handful of adults!

[LadyPenelope]

How about calling and saying something like "DD would love to come to the party and I was wondering if it will be OK if I stay with her. I'd be delighted to give you a helping hand with the other children of course."
IME, at preschool age, there will be lots of parents who stay. At this age when dd had her birthday party, only 1 parent of the 21 kids who came left their kids. Now dd is 6, and at her last party, still about 10 parents or so stayed. So, I think the party host will probably expect you to stay.

[LowFatMilkshake]

Thanks LadyP, that sounds like a plan! I am just a born worrier

[Anchovy]

I think a lot depends on who is going to the party. DD (3.6) is staying at a party for the first time alone next weekend BUT her 5.6 year old brother will be there, she knows the party girl, her older sister and their nanny really well. Plus she has been to the house quite a few times so knows where the toilet is etc. She would be much less happy if she did not know the others there/layout etc.

We had a party for 3 and 5 year olds last autumn and quite a few people stayed - I think it is pretty normal at that age.

What I have also done with DS when he was 4 or so was to drop him off and stay for 30 mins or so just to make sure he is ok. Oh and I always show them where the loo is or specifically tell them to ask X if they want to go to the loo.