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To have bought dh to kids party

59 replies

Cleo2628 · 30/07/2024 00:00

Feel really awkward now.
6th birthday party at a house last weekend (very large house & garden so not cramped) invitation said drop off or stay but host invited all 3 of my children ages 6, just turned 4 & 1. Brought DH along as 1 year old can be a terror and one of the party activities needed 1:1 adult supervision, particularly for the 4 year old.

other guests there were a mixture of drop offs or had 1 parent (mum) stay. One solo dad. But all were 5/6 year olds with no siblings.

was it odd we came with DH? I feel extra awkward as I’ve text host today thank you etc and she hasn’t replied! But she is a bad texter!

OP posts:
tuesday2am · 30/07/2024 10:59

A few bizarre responses on here, OP. Take no note of them.

Absolutely nothing wrong with both parents going. My 6 yr old has been to constant kid parties in the last year and had one himself last month - ALWAYS a nice mixture of Mums, Dads, both parents, and occasionally the grandparents have brought them.

I have no idea why anyone would have a problem with any scenario, tbh. Kid parties are loud and chaotic - the more adults on hand to help is always beneficial!

Hummingbird75 · 30/07/2024 10:45

I don't like it when both parents come to kids parties, some do, and it is annoying for me because I am too busy to make conversation with both parents, and it is not a family day out! It is a children's party only one parent is necessary.

But in your case, with three children of that age, I would have been grateful that you were so considerate and been happy that you took the lead. Why did she invite all of your children? Please tell me you didn't invite your other kids along?

If she hasn't replied it is because she is busy/tired/her kids are using her phone, certainly not for this reason op, assuming the host invited all of you!

pizofaz · 30/07/2024 10:40

ColinMyWifeBridgerton · 30/07/2024 10:36

Both parents at parties is really standard in my circles,. especially when they also have babies. It's good for dads to show up too.

Same here the men all have a good chat with everyone especially if they never make the school run due to work etc

pizofaz · 30/07/2024 10:39

Greytulips · 30/07/2024 00:58

I always disliked the extra parents rocking up like a family outing.
They wouldn’t be invited again.

I know very few woman who can’t be without their partner - stokes me as odd

You're odd! Three children probably need two parents to supervise, better that than an unruly 1 year old ruining the fun for everyone else

pizofaz · 30/07/2024 10:37

JabbaTheBeachHut · 30/07/2024 00:02

You should've texted the host in the first place to check it was ok.

No harm done I'm sure, but possibly looked a bit piss takey.

What? If I was the host I wouldn't have even noticed unless someone brought all four grandparents or something silly

ColinMyWifeBridgerton · 30/07/2024 10:36

Both parents at parties is really standard in my circles,. especially when they also have babies. It's good for dads to show up too.

CelesteCunningham · 30/07/2024 10:21

Peonies12 · 30/07/2024 10:13

What a bizarre attitude, you must be very miserable in your life. OP, it's totally fine, especially given you were bringing 3 kids. Pretty sad that all the other parents who stayed were the mum.

I was thinking that, always a couple of dads at the parties here.

ItWasntMyFault · 30/07/2024 10:17

Totally fine considering the ages of your children, I really wouldn't worry about it.

paradisecircus · 30/07/2024 10:16

I'd say you're overthinking this, and it was fine.

purplecorkheart · 30/07/2024 10:16

I would have thought if anything it would be a relief that there was not an unsupervised one year old running around the place.

SunshineFreckles01 · 30/07/2024 10:13

JabbaTheBeachHut · 30/07/2024 00:02

You should've texted the host in the first place to check it was ok.

No harm done I'm sure, but possibly looked a bit piss takey.

Why would it be piss-takey to bring another adult??

Another child, sure. But another adult to help supervise? Surely that's a good thing?

Peonies12 · 30/07/2024 10:13

Greytulips · 30/07/2024 00:58

I always disliked the extra parents rocking up like a family outing.
They wouldn’t be invited again.

I know very few woman who can’t be without their partner - stokes me as odd

What a bizarre attitude, you must be very miserable in your life. OP, it's totally fine, especially given you were bringing 3 kids. Pretty sad that all the other parents who stayed were the mum.

PuttingDownRoots · 30/07/2024 10:13

Of she invited your 1yo as company for her 1ho she was probably happy that the 1yo was properly supervised!

LoobyJoo · 30/07/2024 10:10

@Greytulips *invited

Flibflobflibflob · 30/07/2024 09:16

Greytulips · 30/07/2024 00:58

I always disliked the extra parents rocking up like a family outing.
They wouldn’t be invited again.

I know very few woman who can’t be without their partner - stokes me as odd

I don’t get this, it often means that it’s the woman doing all the boring kid shit by herself.

Flibflobflibflob · 30/07/2024 09:15

I think it’s great when dads turn up or both parents come along. There are some dads I have never seen, not at school pick up/drop off not at parties etc. I’d be quite approving.

Honestly with three kids I’d be glad to have the extra parent, I would assume you were being sensible about looking after the small ones and would be glad to have you both.

LoobyJoo · 30/07/2024 09:05

Greytulips · 30/07/2024 00:58

I always disliked the extra parents rocking up like a family outing.
They wouldn’t be invited again.

I know very few woman who can’t be without their partner - stokes me as odd

I'm sure they wouldn't want to be I voted again if these are your strange views.

Kitkatcatflap · 30/07/2024 01:30

She opened the door and invited you all in - she had provided adult food and there was lots of space. You are overthinking. It was fine.

Allie47 · 30/07/2024 01:15

I'd not give it a second thought, I often share the pain by making DH come along 🤷‍♀️

Greytulips · 30/07/2024 00:58

I always disliked the extra parents rocking up like a family outing.
They wouldn’t be invited again.

I know very few woman who can’t be without their partner - stokes me as odd

SwingTheMonkey · 30/07/2024 00:50

Can’t think why on earth it’d be piss taking? You had 3 kids there? Even if you didn’t, sometimes both parents like to attend - that’s certainly something I’ve experience having thrown lots of kids parties and have partaken in when dh and I both went along to a party. Total non issue.

mondaytosunday · 30/07/2024 00:35

Fine but if it was me I'd have dropped the older two and done something on my own either the one year old!

MojoMoon · 30/07/2024 00:14

Why would it be a piss take?

Children's parties are awful - adults only attend because they have to. No-one is going to resent him for attending the party, they probably thought "poor sod, I bet he was hoping to get the afternoon off the kids".

sprigatito · 30/07/2024 00:13

Cleo2628 · 30/07/2024 00:11

I’d hope it wasn’t piss taking - there were crudités and drinks out for adults but to be honest we barely touched any as we were talking it turns running after 1 year old.

I know the mum but dh has only met her briefly 2 or 3 times, we’ve both met the dad briefly a few times. Our 4 year olds go to nursery together but they also have 2 other children the same age as ours so whenever I meet up with the mum, all kids have “a friend” so I think that’s why she invited all 3. If that makes any difference!

Edited

It wasn't remotely piss-taking - quite the opposite, you made sure your children were properly supervised. There's always one poster who feels the need to put the boot in.

Cleo2628 · 30/07/2024 00:11

I’d hope it wasn’t piss taking - there were crudités and drinks out for adults but to be honest we barely touched any as we were talking it turns running after 1 year old.

I know the mum but dh has only met her briefly 2 or 3 times, we’ve both met the dad briefly a few times. Our 4 year olds go to nursery together but they also have 2 other children the same age as ours so whenever I meet up with the mum, all kids have “a friend” so I think that’s why she invited all 3. If that makes any difference!

OP posts: