Page 7 | Would you let your child go to a party on a school day?

PagesOfSlime · 2022-02-23T14:28:57+00:00

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?

girlmom21 · 24/02/2022 13:47

@The2Omicronnies

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

She doesn't have to feed them though, right?

CrackerGal · 24/02/2022 13:52

@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.

Don't stress about it, if you want to do pizza then aldi frozen pizza is actually nice & costs under €1!
If not I think your plan already sounds perfectly fine so don't worry just go with it!
My kids have been to parties where there was only sweets/cake & that was fine I just fed them when they got home.
Just work to whatever is comfortable for you, I'm sure the kids will love it.
Happy birthday to your child.

Comefromaway · 24/02/2022 14:02

@OutlookStalking

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 :) )

My kids never had Colin cakes when they were children. But as adults a Colin and candles is absolutely the done thing!

BurntO · 24/02/2022 14:03

Yeah. Never had an after school party before but I think I’d prefer it to a weekend party!

Gooseysgirl · 24/02/2022 14:06

When we were kids, birthday parties were always held on the day of the birthday regardless of school. I suppose it's harder for parents now because so many work, they tend to be more likely to be held at the weekend. But at 9-10 yrs of age I don't see any issue with it! I would prefer my 9yr old to be socialising and playing with her friends at a party after school than studying for a test... kids have had a shit enough time over the last couple of years and making them study for tests just sucks the joy out of life IMHO (and I say that as a teacher!). Regarding food... I really wouldn't send them home without having had something substantial to eat! If my child is at a party 3-6, I'm assuming they will be fed the equivalent of tea/dinner. And let them have pizza on their laps while watching the movie. We sit to the table for most of our meals but pizza/takeaway is nearly always in front of telly watching a movie or Sat night trashy TV - all part of the fun! Shop bought pizzas are absolutely fine (I think the Sainsbos stonebaked ones are great and are often on offer!) I would probably account for each child eating around half a pizza on top of the other snack food. Maybe throw in a couple of garlic baguettes in too. It sounds like a really fun afternoon OP, I'm sure they will all have a great time

Gooseysgirl · 24/02/2022 14:06

When we were kids, birthday parties were always held on the day of the birthday regardless of school. I suppose it's harder for parents now because so many work, they tend to be more likely to be held at the weekend. But at 9-10 yrs of age I don't see any issue with it! I would prefer my 9yr old to be socialising and playing with her friends at a party after school than studying for a test... kids have had a shit enough time over the last couple of years and making them study for tests just sucks the joy out of life IMHO (and I say that as a teacher!). Regarding food... I really wouldn't send them home without having had something substantial to eat! If my child is at a party 3-6, I'm assuming they will be fed the equivalent of tea/dinner. And let them have pizza on their laps while watching the movie. We sit to the table for most of our meals but pizza/takeaway is nearly always in front of telly watching a movie or Sat night trashy TV - all part of the fun! Shop bought pizzas are absolutely fine (I think the Sainsbos stonebaked ones are great and are often on offer!) I would probably account for each child eating around half a pizza on top of the other snack food. Maybe throw in a couple of garlic baguettes in too. It sounds like a really fun afternoon OP, I'm sure they will all have a great time

Gooseysgirl · 24/02/2022 14:07

And I'm in my late 40s now and I've never had a birthday cake without a candle - that's no fun!!! 😄

BurntO · 24/02/2022 14:11

Machine washable blanket on the floor and do a picnic in the living room.

Most of the homes I’ve lived in haven’t had space for a table…

UserWithNoUserName · 24/02/2022 14:35

Yes.
I don't care about primary school tests particularly. Not enough to have children miss fun things the day before, anyway!

Abracadabra12345 · 24/02/2022 14:47

@HalloHello

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!!!!

The same! I too am agog!

Eating pizza on laps or the floor watching tv will add to the treat surely?

CowboyJo · 24/02/2022 16:45

My kids must be weird then. My DD11 never cared for candles, she told us to stop it altogether for her when she turned 7 (but she still secretly likes being sung to with a specially made cake ), and DS8 thinks he's too cool for them too.

My younger two (DD3 and DD6) used to like them...but since we swapped to cake sparklers instead of candles for public parties and celebrations (covid), they've asked for them instead of candles for their cakes at home too

And as for the homework thing, sadly my kids (especially my elder two) get set pieces of homework to do due the next day. DS is dyslexic so he could spend a couple hours doing homework that's only meant to take half an hour.

OutlookStalking · 24/02/2022 16:47

Gosh that's really bad practice. When I taught, even for exam subjects, we never set for next day! I would perhaps question that to be honest as it's a lot of pressure, and not necessary.

OutlookStalking · 24/02/2022 16:47

Love a sparkler :)

CowboyJo · 24/02/2022 16:53

@OutlookStalking

Gosh that's really bad practice. When I taught, even for exam subjects, we never set for next day! I would perhaps question that to be honest as it's a lot of pressure, and not necessary.

I agree, to be honest I've always hated homework because i think children all need a little downtime after a long day at school like us adults do after work.

Sometimes DS breaks down in tears because he doesn't understand why he has to skip footie club while all his other mates go.
I am thinking of looking into other schools for him because I'm starting to wonder if he's showing ADHD symptoms too.

Original poster

PagesOfSlime · 24/02/2022 19:47

I don't care about primary school tests particularly.
I don't either but that's because DD does just fine with little or no work

Sometimes DS breaks down in tears because he doesn't understand why he has to skip footie club
Oh, that's hard. Can you speak to the teacher and point out that he needs extra time/there are other kids in the same activity and ask her to set work differently. We (several parents in DD's class) did this last year and now usually get a minimum of two days to complete homework. Honestly though, if he's having difficulties at school and already having to work harder than the other kids, I'd prioritise his club over homework every time else he will just come to hate school more and more. Plus the more he needs a non school outlet. (But I'm not very orthodox when it comes to attitude to school, my other DC has SN)

OP posts:

OutlookStalking · 25/02/2022 11:32

CowboyJo that really really isn't right. Have you spoken to the school? Something has gone really wrong here.

He absolutely shouldn't miss footie for homework. The poor love. That's a battle you shouldn't be having. There needs tk be a conversation with school as next day homework really isnt great for so many reasons (kids at different homes/clubs/pressure/parents workibg late some nights etc).

Also if work is taking too long they should be able to adapt what they set. Or do 30mins then stop and explain that was how far they got in 30mins. (I used to ensure students did this partly so I knew.)

Turning it into a thing you have to enforce and for him to have to miss activities over is so many levels of wrong and not at all necessary for academic success even.

OutlookStalking · 25/02/2022 11:33

And agree with pp about having a protected outlet that is "safe" from school!

I hope you can get some things sorted. Good luck x