Is it weird for both parents to attend a kids party?!

[doingitalllagain]

First kids party we've been invited to and I don't know what the done thing is, but I'm pretty pregnant and big/uncomfortable/knackered and taking my 3 year old and it's a 30 min drive each way and I'm not feeling my best so my husband is saying we'll go together so he can drive/help out if 3yo is a bit shy/clingy/upset (he can be in busy situations) Is that weird?

Yeah? It’s one parent per child round here it seems!

also a vote got you to stay at home, I went to a child’s party in my third trimester, caught norovirus and the infection meant my waters went and my placenta bled and I spent the whole of them rest of my third trimester in hospital!

m probably a bit unlucky but a rest is so much better!

Yes unless. You are friends with host family it is weird

The f*cking obvious solution is that your DH takes the 3yo. It's them that's invited to the party, not you; it doesn't matter who takes them, except you have a good reason for it not to be you. He's a grown-up, he'll cope.

Honestly, I find it a bit weird for a couple to both turn up to a party unless the adults are all friends.
Surely one of you could be doing something more useful? Chores? A few hours to yourself.

I had several parties where all the parents turned up. But then again, I always provided beer and wine. (Not for the children)

We had a set of parents come to our daughters party. It is a bit unusual I wouldn't necessarily say weird though. I would send ur husband and not go if u can get away with that! I know my dh wouldn't like to attend himself as it is mostly the mums that go but well most folk sit on their phones anyway.

At the nursery parties we have been to, it's absolutely normal for both parents to go.

There are lots of older professional parents at our DC nursery and I get the impression that (like us), having waited so long for children they are super keen to be involved in everything.

I haven't read the full thread. I work every other weekend, so if it was my weekend off, we went together. If i wqs working my DH would take them to the party.

Yes it is weird.

I hate that this is seen as weird. I have a health condition that the parents of my DC's friends wouldn't necessarily know about, but means help from my DH is often very much needed. Yet if we both attend a party we'd be seen as strange, so I usually struggle alone instead. Those of you who have said it is weird, why be judgmental about it?

It's not remotely weird

Where I live both parents and all siblings often attend. DP and I usually trade off who attends with DS. I've just sent out my son's invitations and am hoping people see there's an activity planned and it's at our house and don't bring their whole family... As soon as he's in school I plan to have drop- off parties. Having to cater to and entertain multiple adults as well as children is such a chore. And everyone ends up hanging out with their own kids!

Dogroses in future you need to specify no siblings rather than hope for the best they aren't brought. Save yourself the stress of will they/won't they! It is quite a common addition to invites IME and no one will think you're rude if you word it right. You could even push it as far as "because space is limited, unfortunately we are unable to include siblings and request only one adult per child attend".

Just send him. Id think it a bit strange if both parents showed up.

Send your dh alone. I remember feeling really overwhelmed when some parents turned up to my dc's birthday party in pairs at my home.

It was strange seeing both parents when I had mt
eldest. With my youngest ( there is an 18yr age gap) it is normal to see couples arrive at birthday parties . So either send your DH or go together

I think we are unusual, I’d say 30-40% have both parents turn up. But we are all good friends with each other and the party hosts provide food and drinks for the adults.

It’s unusual , just send your husband. You don’t need to both go.

Just send your DH. Loads of the birthday parties my DD has been to I haven't known the parents as I often am first to drop off but pick up early. It's fine!

DH often came when it was large hall-type parties when DD was in Reception. He didn't do drop offs at that time and wanted to meet other parents. There were several couples there with the same intention. We wouldn't have done it when it was at someone's house or smaller venue.

Later we only did it when we knew the parents as friends and did it to help.

In the OP's situation I would send the husband and relax at home, sitting on a hard plastic chair isn't nice in the best circumstances.

Send the dh. You can then sit at home and do whatever you wish. Last time dd went to a party I packed them off, then went into town had coffee and cake and did some leisurely shopping. Bliss.

Just send your husband. It'll be a good way of him getting to know some of the other parents.
My DH and I (along with my Dad) share drops off and pick ups. There is a good mix of both parents that do drop off & pick up and at parties.

It's an unpopular opinion but I actually quite like the parties. I like seeing DC playing and interacting with the other kids and have got to know some parents quite well. We aren't from this area so it's been nice to now have local friends.

This is weird because they came when no other parents did, it would've been feb same if it was parent sitting around.

Two parents at parties is normal depending on the venue and space. Odd inside two parents are welcome unless stated otherwise in the invite

Yes weird

Is the party at home or at a soft-play place or hall? Because that makes a difference I think.