Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
Original poster
PagesOfSlime · 24/02/2022 10:34

Ours have a 3-weekly maths test, cumulative marks at end of year determine class next year.

Pizza on laps Shock The parents won't think I'm a barbarian letting their kids eat whilst sat on the sofa/floor? I'm sure my DC would find it hilarious!

What about candles - are people still using stunt muffins?

OP posts:
milkysmum · 24/02/2022 10:43

Are you serious that your kids never eat pizza and the like whilst watching TV in the living room?
Don't get me wrong I love sitting at the table generally- but not for pizza/ snack food, the kids would think I had gone mad!

Comefromaway · 24/02/2022 12:02

Seriously?

No one ever eats at a table at a party unless you hire a wacky warehouse. I used to put picnic rugs down in the conservatory floor. My kids used to go to a posh private primary school and it was sit on te floor and eat.

NeverTalksToStrangers · 24/02/2022 12:06

If we have ordered pizza in we NEVER eat it at the table. Always in front of tv. It's easy to do with pizza, more so than any other food as no need for cutlery.

TinaYouFatLard · 24/02/2022 12:10

I would think you were a bit odd to insist on pizza at the table! I am clearly a barbarian.

Original poster
PagesOfSlime · 24/02/2022 12:11

I used to put picnic rugs down in the conservatory floor.
We're not posh enough for a conservatory! We have the patch between the sofa and tv which is constantly in use. We only ever eat meals at the table. Kids might have a bowl of crisps or popcorn or snacks on the sofa but have never eaten a meal there. I think we've ordered pizza once in the past 12 years.

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 24/02/2022 12:13

The patch between the sofa and the tv is fine.

Kids will think it’s really strange if they have to sit at the kitchen/dining room table at a party.

HalloHello · 24/02/2022 12:16

You're worried parents would think you were barbaric having pizza in front on the TV at a birthday party?? I am AGOG!
Do you never eat a takeaway on the sofa with your OH? What is this madness!!!!

HalloHello · 24/02/2022 12:17

3 weekly maths tests at 9 years old is also mental isn't it?! I don't have primary school children but that seems nuts!! Revision at age 9??

PerditaPerdita · 24/02/2022 12:20

Of course

PerditaPerdita · 24/02/2022 12:24

How many kids? Can they not squash round the table for pizza when they get in?

Then clear it away while they watch film, bring cake in at some point, then while they finish the film, wrap cake in napkins to go?

ZenNudist · 24/02/2022 12:47

Yes.

CaptainMyCaptain · 24/02/2022 12:49

Of course. Some children are collected from the childminder later than that. It's not as if they are going to get drunk at the party.

Invisimamma · 24/02/2022 13:00

It would be quite strange to have a sit down dinner at a children's party, le them have buffet food or pizza, in the living room whilst they play. Paper plates and all! You really do need to serve something substantial though, a lot of children will be used to eating at 5pm.

Even better get dominoes pizza or McDonalds delivered.

Crunchymum · 24/02/2022 13:06

@PagesOfSlime

I used to put picnic rugs down in the conservatory floor. We're not posh enough for a conservatory! We have the patch between the sofa and tv which is constantly in use. We only ever eat meals at the table. Kids might have a bowl of crisps or popcorn or snacks on the sofa but have never eaten a meal there. I think we've ordered pizza once in the past 12 years.
You don't order take away pizza? Or allow kids to eat anywhere other than the table?

This is beginning to sound a bit "humble brag" Wink

girlmom21 · 24/02/2022 13:15

@PagesOfSlime

I used to put picnic rugs down in the conservatory floor. We're not posh enough for a conservatory! We have the patch between the sofa and tv which is constantly in use. We only ever eat meals at the table. Kids might have a bowl of crisps or popcorn or snacks on the sofa but have never eaten a meal there. I think we've ordered pizza once in the past 12 years.
Sounds like it's time to let your hair down OP. Let them sit on the carpet with their pizza.
Original poster
PagesOfSlime · 24/02/2022 13:23

You don't order take away pizza?
No, because it's expensive and impractical. I rarely have the car so having to bus to the next town to pick it up seems pointless. Either I buy a ready made on or the ingredients when I do the weekly shop.
And no, it genuinely never occurred to me to eat a meal at home anywhere other than the table.

OP posts:
CowboyJo · 24/02/2022 13:34

Depends on how much homework they have to do. If they don't have any, of course! If they do, studies come first.

CowboyJo · 24/02/2022 13:37

@PagesOfSlime

Ours have a 3-weekly maths test, cumulative marks at end of year determine class next year.

Pizza on laps Shock The parents won't think I'm a barbarian letting their kids eat whilst sat on the sofa/floor? I'm sure my DC would find it hilarious!

What about candles - are people still using stunt muffins?

We don't even have a dining room - food is always eaten on the sofa on trays in our house.

And as for candles, some people are still doing it the old way Im afraid, though Id imagine given the kids are 9-10 they'd probably be too old for candles anymore anyway.

The2Omicronnies · 24/02/2022 13:38

It sounds like it’s not something you’re comfortable hosting, OP?? Maybe the sleepover would be better?!

chiiipsandsalad · 24/02/2022 13:39

You need to relax OP.

Don't feed them all that random stuff instead of something that constitutes as a meal.

Get them some pizzas, then have cake and then popcorn with the film?

Let them eat on a blanket infront of the tv?

Or if they absolutely must eat et the table don't put the film on till they've eaten?

OutlookStalking · 24/02/2022 13:41

We do usually eat at the table for a party (plastic party table cloth, paper cups napkins) I dont think that is that unusual. We've even done pizza at the table tbh when its Other Children (in living room of just us.) But yes they need food! And in front of tv is fine. Or stop movie half way through for pizza at table if you prefer. Make it 6.30 pick up if need be.

Op how have you got to 9 without doing parties or going to parties!?

OutlookStalking · 24/02/2022 13:43

CowboyJo why would a 9 year old have homework that had to be done that night? Surely they could do it the day before or after... would be ridiculous getting in the way of a party.

Op is it a private school? It seems a lot of stress around tests at that age that doesn't sound healthy

OutlookStalking · 24/02/2022 13:44

Since when do people stop candles at 9?! (10 and 13 year old both had candles and dont see that stopping. We do candles for adult cakes too.... good old colin the caterpillar :) )

Phormiumjester · 24/02/2022 13:45

@PagesOfSlime

You don't order take away pizza? No, because it's expensive and impractical. I rarely have the car so having to bus to the next town to pick it up seems pointless. Either I buy a ready made on or the ingredients when I do the weekly shop. And no, it genuinely never occurred to me to eat a meal at home anywhere other than the table.
Get it delivered rather than collect it, surely?