To dislike children's birthday parties?

2 options- find a friend who you can cope with and chat to this friend for the party or ask if anyone can supervise eg ask someone your friendly with (offer to take their child to the next one)

quite often in my classes what’s app mums will post something like x would love to go to the party but I just need to work out how to get him there as I have other plans. And then another mum will offeR to take/supervise.

we are in year one now and parties have reduced a lot compared to reception thank goodness!

Wait until further down the line when the parties get more selective and he comes home crying he’s not been invited. I know which I prefer

I think most people feel the same. I am deaf in one ear with tinnitus (which gets louder with noise) and it is so hard to hear in noisy places. I find these things stressful and embarrassing because I miss so much of the conversation. Then I'm so tired trying to hear, join in and smile and nod. My daughter also has a nut allergy and even though she's 8 I can't just drop her off as it wouldn't be fair to expect people to take responsibility and administer her EpiPen if needs me. I've a 4 year old too so another few years to endure 😂🙈

Hate them and I'm NT and a sociable person so I can't imagine how much more difficult they must be for you.

I have an older child and a big age gap between them and my little one. The difference now is life is just so hectic and busy for everyone I feel. So fitting them in is just another pressure for us. Also with the cost of living crisis £10 a present for a potential class of 25 children where do you magic £250 a year from. I know your child will likely receive it back but when they don't need 25 different presents and you can't afford to put food on the table all just seems a bit daft and wasteful not to mention the environment. I've heard of people doing the £5 parties or where the class chips in and gets one present which could reduce that pressure a little but they don't seem to be a thing where I live.

I don't think there's really an answer to it other than to get through this phase. You could always do a "drop off party" for your children and hope other parents follow so you all get a bit of free time but it depends on other parents wanting to do that.

it doesn't help that I also loathe soft play where most the parties are held!

Most parents started dropping off in P2 here (year 1 in England) so you might be nearly past it with this DC. Some dropped even before that. I have to stay for allergy reasons so I'm increasingly standing in the corner on my phone as all the adults I know leave.

It's just one of those things. Although I'm lucky in that the other parents are all very nice.

DH struggles with noisy environments and only once attended one of DD's parties - for a short time and had to leave. If I had left it to him to take her she wouldn't have gone to any.

We have one today. In a park. It's chilly and due to rain.

I'm sending DH. He owes me, he went out last night.

Ooh actually OP. What helps me in the office is something called Loops which are just fancy ear plugs. Anyway they do some thst block out SOME of the sound but still let you hear conversation

Why do people keep mentioning dad presumably OP has thought of the solution of the other parent going but have you lot not heard of single parents?

Could you wear a noise cancelling headset and just tell everyone you have a thumping headache?

I dont think any parent likes them, you go because you do it for your child

I'm assuming dad isn't in the picture or isn't able to. Don't assume the standard 2.4 kids family with a 9-5 5 days a week job.

Presents, buy a variety or unisex ones on offers (like Argos 2 for £15) in advance. Or keep any unwanted gifts your kids got.

Split the "pleasure" with your children's dad.

Make some chit chat with the people you feel most comfortable with , then depending where the party is break it up with toilet breaks, needing a coffee/drink ,need some fresh air etc.

When you return, sit in a quieter/less populated corner.

Focus on your kid /join in if they want you to.

The hardest bit is when the food is served and all the kids are sitting down and the parents are all together watching.

Book a Monday off work if your battery needs recharging

Why can't his dad take him then? If you're close to burnout why are you the one who has to go to the party?

It's not for you. It's for your child. Like when you take them to the dentist every 6 months. Just get on with it. I hate them too but it's just what being a parent is.

I like seeing DD having fun with her friends. I like her friends as well. That’s what it’s about. She hates loud entertainers which are hugely popular round here at the moment but she’s happy chucking balloons around and pass the parcel and cake!

How is that "polite"?

"Excuse me, I find your company so excruciating that I'm going to sit on my own and do this very important crochet."

I like them! Gives a structure to our weekends and other than a present, is a free, fun activity. Plus time to chat and chill.

Sorry, but it's part and parcel of being a parent. DD went to a lot of soft play parties until about the age of 6. We lived too far to drop and run, plus it wasn't fair on the host to be responsible for 20+ children. Also the soft plays we went to were quite strict about adult to child ratio.

I think quite a lot of parents underestimate how much social stuff is required when the DC are little. You want them to have friends and feel included, so you just have to suck it up I'm afraid.

Could you get together with parents you are friendly with and take it in turns to take the DC to parties?

It does feel a bit melodramatic. It's a few hours and presumably their father can take them to some of the parties?

I take a craft (cross stitch, crochet) that way I can politely not talk to people if I want to after an initial chit chat.

Feels dramatic.

dont take them if it’s bothering you that much