Page 9 | To not attend this party as it’s at the child’s home?

hiddenforest · 2026-07-08T11:12:50+00:00

Normally I love a kids party but this one is in someone’s home. When this has happened before I find it so stressful trying to make sure my children don’t accidentally break something or go somewhere they aren’t supposed to.

Original poster

hiddenforest · 08/07/2026 13:08

RVectensian · 08/07/2026 13:06

Surely kids parties are often at home? Not because of money, but because that's where they live?

We have done a mixture, depending on what the child in question wants. Always more stressful for the parent than the guests.

I’ve only ever been to one at a child’s home.

@PermanentlyExhaustedPigeonZZZ parents aren’t staying.

OP posts:

PermanentlyExhaustedPigeonZZZ · 08/07/2026 13:06

If he gets too hyper, leave and deal with the fall out.

RVectensian · 08/07/2026 13:06

Surely kids parties are often at home? Not because of money, but because that's where they live?

We have done a mixture, depending on what the child in question wants. Always more stressful for the parent than the guests.

Original poster

hiddenforest · 08/07/2026 13:05

You’d think but it’s hard to completely hide everything. I also think many parents don’t realise how mad it is until they have the children there (this was what happened with the last one, which I have to admit I did find really stressful!)

OP posts:

WonderWeeksArentReal · 08/07/2026 13:04

Surely if they are hosting a bunch of sugared-up kids in their own home they will have put away the major breakables/heirlooms/precious items? If not then it's at least partly on them.

Original poster

hiddenforest · 08/07/2026 13:03

ToadRage · 08/07/2026 13:01

When I was a child all parties were at peoples homes. My Mum did ban them shortly after my brothers 7th after his friends broke an antique chair. My friends were nice, they never broke anything. If parents are worried about children breaking stuff they child put valuables away.

Same, but I am not sure if we were as young (ds is 5, should have said that sorry.) I genuinely can’t remember. It was also a different time regarding discipline!

OP posts:

LlynTegid · 08/07/2026 13:01

You have said how your child behaves when excited, and so you would be reasonable to decline, and perhaps explain to the parent why if you wish.

ToadRage · 08/07/2026 13:01

When I was a child all parties were at peoples homes. My Mum did ban them shortly after my brothers 7th after his friends broke an antique chair. My friends were nice, they never broke anything. If parents are worried about children breaking stuff they child put valuables away.

Original poster

hiddenforest · 08/07/2026 12:59

professionalcommentreader · 08/07/2026 12:57

Why would they break things and go where they shouldn’t?

Because kids get stupid and manic and hyped up.

OP posts:

professionalcommentreader · 08/07/2026 12:57

Why would they break things and go where they shouldn’t?

Original poster

hiddenforest · 08/07/2026 12:57

Darragon · 08/07/2026 12:33

That’s awful OP. People often have parties at their homes because they can’t afford a venue or to save a bit of money. And it comes across as snobby like you don’t want your kid mixing with those kids. Dressing it up as “worried they might break something” is ridiculous. No one irl will buy that unless your kid is the Tasmanian Devil. What if everyone didn’t turn up because it’s at someone’s house? Poor birthday kid, his parents are just trying their best.

I could understand this response if I’d said in my OP that I thought it would be really dull and boring but it isn’t that.

DS has been taught manners as I’d expect but equally I do know he can easily get over excitable and silly, especially at parties and unfortunately experience tells me that’s when he starts charging around and that’s when I start to stress. I have been to a party at someone’s home before where a lot of toys did get trampled on and broken (not by ds I might add) and the host was most pissed off about it!

OP posts:

Bonnylassie · 08/07/2026 12:54

My kids are tweens/teens but we usually have parties at home with lots of kids. Birthday, Christmas, BBQs, etc. Nothing around to be broken and in all the years we have been hosting only one small issue and that was to be with toilet training. It will be fine.

takeabreack · 08/07/2026 12:48

Does you child frequently break things in your house? If not then they'll probably be fine in someone else's house that has kids.

Chipshopsiblingwar · 08/07/2026 12:36

We had ds7 party at home this year. I made some rooms a no go area and moved anything breakable. Honestly you will be fine

Darragon · 08/07/2026 12:33

That’s awful OP. People often have parties at their homes because they can’t afford a venue or to save a bit of money. And it comes across as snobby like you don’t want your kid mixing with those kids. Dressing it up as “worried they might break something” is ridiculous. No one irl will buy that unless your kid is the Tasmanian Devil. What if everyone didn’t turn up because it’s at someone’s house? Poor birthday kid, his parents are just trying their best.

Floppyearedlab · 08/07/2026 12:28

I personally would never have a party at home. But have no qualms about going to someone else’s. My kids have been taught manners so it’s no issue.

DappledThings · 08/07/2026 12:21

Ridiculous. It's a home where children live where you have been invited. It's not like going to the home of an elderly maiden aunt with breakable nick-nacks on every surface.

Unless your child is prone to deliberately smashing stuff and scribbling on walls. I which case take them anyway and practise keeping them under control.

DancingonmyOwn88 · 08/07/2026 12:20

You sound quite over-anxious, it’s quite normal to have social gatherings in people’s homes if they have the space. Is there a particular reason why you think your kids will break something or run off where they shouldn’t?

ColdAsAWitches · 08/07/2026 12:19

They're kids. The parents are expecting them to act like kids if they've invited them into their house. Unclench.

MirrorMirror1247 · 08/07/2026 12:15

I don't think that's a reason to deprive your child of a party. How old is your DC? Can't you speak to them beforehand and tell them to be careful, only stay in the party area etc?