We were ‘that’ family…children’s birthday parties

[WildOnce]

Went to a 3rd birthday party a few weeks ago. It was the first DS1 had been invited to and we went as a family unit. No one else had their partners there, only some had their babies. I had no idea it wasn’t the done thing as I am completely ignorant about party etiquette!

We have another coming up so mumsnet…is the unspoken rule that only one parent attends?

Parents definitely stay with 3yos at parties and are responsible for taking then to the loo. My dc are older now, but I am veteran of many primary school parties. No one has ever dropped off a 3yo.

Obviously I don’t expect Mumsnet posters to be in their right minds.
What a ridiculously stupid and pointless post.

I think as it's your 1st party it's ok.
Just as long you don't keep doing it.

I come from a different era!!!....parents never stopped at parties!! Birthday parties for very small children were a family affair, not for all in sundry.I was left at birthday parties from the age of about 5, as were my friends. There were never gatherings of parents as well! Even 25 years ago parents didn't stay at parties....and then, weirdly,things started to change ...🤔 never stayed at a party with any of my 3 kids. I never quite understood it.

I was left at birthday parties from the age of about 5, as were my friends.
Cool but the thread is about parties at the age of 3, so… Most people I know do drop and go from age 5 or 6, it’s not really changed.

I don’t think it’s unusual, depending on the set up? Close thing with only a few kids and the parents all know each other? Possibly a bit odd but not strikingly so. Big soft play party where the parents are all off at the side buying their own drinks anyway? Totally normal.

Exactly, it's still normal to drop and go at 5 - even when parents do stay, it's generally not helicopter parenting, but because often both parents work these days and parties are the only time to really meet the parents of the other Reception kids.

DD is 5 and there has not yet been a 'drop and go' party. I'm looking forward to this starting, but no sign of it yet...

Seems fine to me. I wasn't aware of any rules around this. All were welcome to parties when my daughter was that age, (27 years ago) in fact they usually progressed into a bit of an adult party towards end. With wine! Oh dear.