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Would you let your child go to a party on a school day?

167 replies

PagesOfSlime · 23/02/2022 14:28

After school, 3-6pm. Child collected straight from school. Craft/film party, cake and popcorn or other party bits, not a meal. Ages 9-10.
Would it make a difference if your child had a test two days later i.e. party on Tuesday, test on Thursday morning?

OP posts:
WimpoleHat · 23/02/2022 16:30

Yes - why not?

Keepyourheadscrewedon · 23/02/2022 16:32

Yes of course

Pixiedust1234 · 23/02/2022 16:32

Yes I would, and did. Primary school ages would have a cutoff time of 7pm midweek so I could get them bathed and bed, otherwise 9pm for senior school. Its not like its every week...

NewcastleOrBust · 23/02/2022 16:37

Yes, children absolutely love being picked up from school then doing something exciting. It will make it all the more exciting.

AyeEee123 · 23/02/2022 16:38

Yes of course.

Flexitarian · 23/02/2022 16:39

Of course I would! I don’t see the problem?

Hm2020 · 23/02/2022 16:43

I always remember this being the case when I was a child never noticed till now but my year 3 ds friends parties are usually on a weekend. Hmm I would happily let my ds go though don’t see a problem with it.

PagesOfSlime · 23/02/2022 16:44

Was not expecting quite so many answers or ok's! Most parties seem to be sleepovers on a weekend night for this age. And I am not doing a sleepover!
I thought by making it until 6 would be obvious a "meal" wasn't included, have to think again on that one then.

Test counts towards end of year mark but the end of year mark doesn't count for anything, if that makes sense. I've had other parents asking me how much homework and studying I do with DD (ahem, none except for what is actually set) for these tests. I'm a bit out of the loop not having seen other parents in a long while. I'm concentrating more on the social side for DD this year, she does a club every other weekday and often has related events at weekends too. Throwing in DH randomly working from home, I'm very limited as to when I can host. 5 mins from school by foot so I can shepherd a group home without problem.

OP posts:
Macademiamum · 23/02/2022 16:46

100% yes
Only problem would be clashing with clubs so if eg. Lots of those kids are on the netball team and that practises every Monday I would have the party on a different night

BlingLoving · 23/02/2022 16:47

We hosted a few parties like this over the years - parents usually super happy as it's free childcare in the middle of the week. But yes, would expect food to be provided and not to have to feed my child a full meal at the end of the evening.

Pixiedust1234 · 23/02/2022 16:56

Never noticed the lack of food in your op but I would expect not to feed my child after a party. Well aware it won't be good quality meal but I would expect something that isn't empty calories or pure sugar.. Most of the parties I hosted/went to had three sandwiches (usually cheese, chocolate spread etc) pizza, chicken nuggets, crisps, jelly and ice cream....and a big birthday cake that got sliced up to take home. Just make sure none of the kids have special dietary requirements so you don't offer the nuggets to a vegetarian etc. And lots and lots to drink. For you and them Grin

daisypond · 23/02/2022 16:59

Yes, you need to provide food, definitely

Macademiamum · 23/02/2022 17:16

Yes they definitely need food. Nuggets or pizza and oven chips, whatever, but they need food in their bellies

ringoutthebells · 23/02/2022 17:23

Agree with everyone else - would attend but you 💯 need to provide food regardless of
return time.

WheresYourSnickers · 23/02/2022 17:28

If you're running the party up until 6pm I would expect them to get fed; party food like pizza, nuggets etc... would be fine.
However 3 hours is a long time to host at home - I would run it until 5pm & then I think it's OK not to provide dinner.
As for the test - at that age? I wouldn't even think about it!

RampantIvy · 23/02/2022 17:32

I thought by making it until 6 would be obvious a "meal" wasn't included

No, it isn't obvious at all. I would expect a child to be fed at a party that ended at 6. I would expect a birthday tea to be provided at about 5.30.

DrCoconut · 23/02/2022 17:35

I'd expect food as it's tea time but it will still be early when it finishes. And much better than the fresh hell that was the developing trend for weekend morning parties. Luckily that seems to have died off. Who wants to be up and at soft play by 10 (or even worse 9) on a Saturday?

dipdye · 23/02/2022 17:48

Totally fine

Christmas1988 · 23/02/2022 17:49

Yes, if my child wanted to go I’d let them go. Seems strange not to allow them to attend.

Joy2TheWorld · 23/02/2022 17:51

@FKATondelayo

I thought you meant INSTEAD of going to school. Grin

Yes, I would and i have done.

So did I! But yes, of course I would let then go to the party.
reluctantbrit · 23/02/2022 17:59

At 9/10 they come hungry out of school, you definitely need to feed them.

Can you order some pizza or throw simple ones in the oven?

We eat quite late so I wouldn’t be bothered if DD only had snacks but I found out that we are the minority and most still do a tea for the kids and dinner for the adults later.

collieresponder88 · 23/02/2022 18:01

It's six o'clock for goodness sake

BestKnitterInScotland · 23/02/2022 18:03

You really, really need to feed them. Pizza, nuggets, chips, cake.

KylieCharlene · 23/02/2022 18:04

I agree, you need more substantial food.
No problem with the party (unless it clashed with hobby)

peboh · 23/02/2022 18:14

@PagesOfSlime

Was not expecting quite so many answers or ok's! Most parties seem to be sleepovers on a weekend night for this age. And I am not doing a sleepover! I thought by making it until 6 would be obvious a "meal" wasn't included, have to think again on that one then.

Test counts towards end of year mark but the end of year mark doesn't count for anything, if that makes sense. I've had other parents asking me how much homework and studying I do with DD (ahem, none except for what is actually set) for these tests. I'm a bit out of the loop not having seen other parents in a long while. I'm concentrating more on the social side for DD this year, she does a club every other weekday and often has related events at weekends too. Throwing in DH randomly working from home, I'm very limited as to when I can host. 5 mins from school by foot so I can shepherd a group home without problem.

Most of the families I know eat at around 5 o'clock. So it wouldn't be obvious to me that no meal is provided. If it was me I'd hosting, I'd put on a little buffet spread, sandwiches, pizzas etc.