Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To dislike children's birthday parties?

111 replies

NanananananananaBATman · 29/06/2024 08:37

My DS has three in the next week, reception age about to go up to year one so I assume parents are expected to stay. It is my idea of hell having to be 'on' and sociable because I'm neurodiverse and bordering on burnout.

I have a gift budget of £10 each which seems to be the minimum people tend to spend, fine if there's 1 birthday but expensive when there are 3. I have bills that cost less.

I grin and bear it for my DC but am I being unreasonable to really dislike this part of parenting?

OP posts:
Original poster
NanananananananaBATman · 29/06/2024 08:51

Would it be unreasonable for me to broach the subject of drop and leave when we get there? I've suddenly realised I have something very pressing I need to get done 😉

Draining - yes that's pretty much how the forced socialising feels to me too!

OP posts:
Original poster
NanananananananaBATman · 29/06/2024 08:47

I'm friendly with some of the mums already, they're really nice people and I have absolutely nothing against them at all. I would just rather not go and have to chit chat for two hours 😁

OP posts:
Procrastinates · 29/06/2024 08:47

You're not meant to enjoy them, the parties are for the children so obviously they won't be something you find enjoyable. However, they really don't last long so unfortunately it's just one of those things you have to endure for the sake of building relationships for both yourself and your children.

TheaBrandt · 29/06/2024 08:47

Same - our kids about to get their a levels results we both still socialise all the time with their (now ex) primary school friends parents.

Didimum · 29/06/2024 08:46

Your partner should be taking them too.

MissingKitty · 29/06/2024 08:46

Most of us hate them and struggle with the social side by weekend, it fizzles out after Y1 though

Roundroundthegarden · 29/06/2024 08:45

From about 5 it was drop off for us. I got along with a lot of parents at that age but also found it was such a drain making small talk.
Dh and I used to take turns so it wasn't that bad. And now my dc is older it's just drop off.

Snoopsnoggysnog · 29/06/2024 08:44

TheaBrandt · 29/06/2024 08:42

It’s a relatively short phase unless you have 4 kids or something. If you do want to make connections / friendships with other parents do it now. That window closes the older they get.

Absolutely agree with this, I made all my school mum friends at these parties that we all had to go to week after week. We’re still friends 10 years later. I appreciate it must be harder for you OP. Is there anyone you could meet up with beforehand to get to know a bit and then perhaps it wouldn’t be so hard?

Original poster
NanananananananaBATman · 29/06/2024 08:44

I have three DC between the ages of 2 and 6 so I'll have more to come no doubt 😂

OP posts:
TheaBrandt · 29/06/2024 08:42

It’s a relatively short phase unless you have 4 kids or something. If you do want to make connections / friendships with other parents do it now. That window closes the older they get.

Mothership4two · 29/06/2024 08:41

I don't think anyone likes them other than the kids.

Swipe left for the next trending thread