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Original poster

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:
JellybabyGina87 · 23/02/2022 18:17

I'd let them go. It would be inconvenient for me as I've got other kids to sort out after school and I think primary school kids would be tired and grumpy. Also some kids may go to clubs after school, but I wouldn't stop them going.

Invisimamma · 23/02/2022 18:18

I'd expect them to be fed, pizza, nuggets, sausages, happy meal something like that, plus birthday cake for dessert.

Otherwise all good, my DC often aren't home until after 6pm anyway with after school care.

bluechameleon · 23/02/2022 18:22

Absolutely fine. But do make sure it is clear on the invitations that it doesn't include a meal - finishing at 5 I'd assume no meal, 7 I'd assume meal, 6 I think is borderline so be explicit.

Bugbeau · 23/02/2022 18:31

Yes, my 10 yr old went to a trampolining party after school on Monday. 4.30-6.30pm. Never occurred to me that he wouldn’t go.

Auntycorruption · 23/02/2022 20:41

I would definitely let my child go but I would definitely expect them to have had their tea when I picked them up at 6pm.

I would be offering them weetabix / banana before bed, not cooking a full dinner.

shinynewapple22 · 23/02/2022 21:51

Just read your OP again and noticed the 'no meal' reference . No, sorry, but wouldn't have been happy with that. A children's party should include food .

Original poster
PagesOfSlime · 24/02/2022 08:33

A children's party should include food
I didn't say there would be no food! Just not a proper meal.
I would do veg sticks + dip, fruit, crisps etc as after school snack for when they get here. Then have the cake when my eldest gets home around 415. Then film and popcorn which would finish around 6 so there wouldn't be time to have a meal.

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 24/02/2022 08:37

@PagesOfSlime

A children's party should include food I didn't say there would be no food! Just not a proper meal. I would do veg sticks + dip, fruit, crisps etc as after school snack for when they get here. Then have the cake when my eldest gets home around 415. Then film and popcorn which would finish around 6 so there wouldn't be time to have a meal.
I am another who would expect more food. I’ve done parties from 4-6pm and always had sandwiches/pizza etc
Howshouldibehave · 24/02/2022 08:42

I would expect them to have had dinner as otherwise I’d be collecting them afterward at 6, not getting home till maybe 6.30 then having to start cooking a meal/doing homework/bath etc.

Kids that have been at school all day are often starving when they come out and will certainly be by 5pm. You may find that the behaviour of hungry kids isn’t brilliant and they don’t want to sit and watch a film. My kids could be a nightmare after school together until I’d fed them-I used to call 5-6 the witching hour!!

Howshouldibehave · 24/02/2022 08:43

Feeding them with crisps, cake and popcorn is even worse as they’ll be full of sugar but not actually full up!

Just do a load of pizzas which they can eat whilst watching the film?

Original poster
PagesOfSlime · 24/02/2022 08:44

Gah! I'm clearly rubbish at this? When should you feed them the pizza then? Instead of the snacks when they come home? Isn't that a bit early? (We usually eat 630-7pm, DD's best friend eats closer to 8, no idea about the others)

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 24/02/2022 08:46

@PagesOfSlime

Gah! I'm clearly rubbish at this? When should you feed them the pizza then? Instead of the snacks when they come home? Isn't that a bit early? (We usually eat 630-7pm, DD's best friend eats closer to 8, no idea about the others)
Loads of people feed their primary aged kids at 5-6pm, OP. We always ate later but it definitely isn't the norm. I think you will need to feed them. Pizza while they watch the film, I reckon.
Original poster
PagesOfSlime · 24/02/2022 08:49

Pizza while they watch the film, I reckon.
I don't think I can do that as you can't really see the tv from the table, only from part of one side.

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 24/02/2022 08:54

Picnic on the floor in front of the TV? You could put a sheet out or something to minimise any mess.

rainbowandglitter · 24/02/2022 08:54

Pizza on laps in front of the film surely?

Blinkingbatshit · 24/02/2022 08:55

OP - they could always have the veg sticks etc as the initial snack after school at the table and then the pizza whilst watching the film on the sofa etc? Give them a paper plate - it’ll be fine and make it more fun!

Clymene · 24/02/2022 08:56

They can eat pizza on the sofa while watching the film. You feed children when you invite them to a party.

CrackerGal · 24/02/2022 08:58

Of course I'd let them go. Seems like an ultra fun thing to do on a school night & not exactly a regular occurrence more like a one off?
Wouldn't matter about the test they get tests a lot at this age.

Howshouldibehave · 24/02/2022 09:01

They don’t need to sit at the table to eat the pizza, surely?!!!

Will you making them eat it with knives and forks??

CrackerGal · 24/02/2022 09:02

@PagesOfSlime

A children's party should include food I didn't say there would be no food! Just not a proper meal. I would do veg sticks + dip, fruit, crisps etc as after school snack for when they get here. Then have the cake when my eldest gets home around 415. Then film and popcorn which would finish around 6 so there wouldn't be time to have a meal.

My kids eat around that sort of time just after 4pm, that's their main dinner.
Maybe make a batch of chicken nuggets or something.
But honestly if it's too much hassle just go with what you've already planned, I'm sure the parents will feed their own kids dinner when they get home.
Sounds fun I hope it goes well OP! 🥳 🎉

milkysmum · 24/02/2022 09:06

Yep even if they usually have there tea later I think most parents will have presumed something more substantial will have been given if it finishes at 6. By the time they are home 6.30.
I would do as others have said and just Chuck a few pizzas in to have whilst watching the film- they definitely don't need to be sat at a table for pizza? Maybe a tray of chicken nuggets too. Easy.

DogsAndGin · 24/02/2022 09:35

Definitely. And if they’re in year 5, being 9-10, then what kind of crucial test is it? There are no sats in yr5, and cats were ages ago. Are you worried about a spelling test? Confused

Babynames2 · 24/02/2022 09:50

Surely they can just eat pizza on their laps/on the floor in front of the tv?

OutlookStalking · 24/02/2022 10:02

Yup definitely need a meal! Parties always include a "party tea" of some description, especially if at home. Could be buffet bits or pizza but either way they could grab a plate and eat watching the movie?

Just do a small afterschool snack veg sticks/biscuit or two and food 5/5.30?

OutlookStalking · 24/02/2022 10:03

What sort of test is it? Ours have weekly spelling test and that's it. Anything else (ie maths) is just calmly done in class no revision.