No party food or drink provided

[ImaMumtoaboy]

So my ds(11) went to a football party yesterday. The minute we got in the car he asked to go the shop for a drink as he was so thirsty.
Party was at the local astro pitch, party room included that has 2 ovens, hob, 2 toasters, 2 microwaves and 2 fridges. Most parents bring in frozen pizzas and chips and cook them or order in pizzas.
Kids were running around for 2 hours in hot weather they were not offered any drinks during that time.
He said in the "party room" they got 1 small bottle of water (250ml) and a small slice of birthday cake. They only went into the room 10 minutes before I arrived to collect him.
When I went in the mother was packing up the cake which looked like there was about 3/4's left. I thought the kids must have had enough food that they didnt want cake. And parents cleaned up very quickly. Kids were all quiet(14 11/12 yr old boys) who are normally very loud at parties. Kids were just sitting waiting to be collected.Turns out they got a very very skinny slice, described by ds as thinner then a slice of bread.
Ended up bringing him to Mcdonalds as a treat and we seen 2 other parents of kids that were at the same party getting their kids food.

Oh do behave 🙄, you’re spectacularly missing the point.

I always check if food is given before I go to a party so I can plan their meals etc. might be worth doing that going forward

thats just a kickabout not a party

very lax-at least say in advance if you not providing food

It's June and the weather is glorious... people who can't afford a party don't book and pay for a artificial sports court and party room. You can play football in the park.

There are far cheaper birthday options for poor people and I say that as a poor person who throws 3 birthday parties a year on a strict budget.

Perhaps they thought the children would prefer more time playing? Which might have worked better if it wasn't rediculously hot!

A party held over a main mealtime period when the children won't have eaten since breakfast, and you think it is fine? No it really, really isn't. These are growing children, not women who want to lose some flab.

It sounds like the children were underwhelmed by the lack of food as well.

You don't word it as a party if you won't or can't cater for the guests. It is rude and inhospitable.

DD went to loads of parties as a child and was served food at all of them. I served food at all of her parties as well.

Perhaps their circumstances changed who knows most likely they are just rubbish party throwers 🤷‍♀️

I went to a party like this as a child. Absolute misery. We were all confused. It was a pool party and was 25 minutes from parent drop off to the mother frantically calling us out of the pool.

One kid had taken a while to change and didn’t even get wet 😂

There was no food, nothing to drink and we were given a sliver of cake in a sandwich bag.

We were then left in the leisure centre foyer with some random relative of theirs (we were about eight years old) until our parents turned up to collect us an hour or so later. I remember parents talking about it for years after. The parents (the mother was notoriously neurotic, head lice and pox season was always fun) were loaded, too.

Sounds miserable. It could be they couldn't afford the hire costs plus food, but think they could have put on some cheap food.

That is totally mean I have to say. I am also in Ireland so maybe we do do it different here but never sent any of mine to a party without food. It is the norm to provide chicken nuggets/chips/pizza etc AND drinks AND cake. Party bags not too fussed on but would definitely expect my kids to have been fed. Weird parents.

The OP warned her son not to talk about it. She has confirmed this.

I am also in Ireland so maybe we do do it different here

No. The "host" was being a cheapskate. It is defintely not usual to not feed children at a party, regardless of which country the party is being held in.

After 300+ posts saying this isn't normal, that should give an indication that in the UK we also serve food?

The Fun Police have arrived

Water and NO CAKE🎂 {Or a mean little sliver of cake}

What a crap 'Party'.

Exactly! Kids parties always had plenty of food at them.
Kids running around, playing football will have got very hungry and thirsty.

Water of course is the best thirst quencher, but not very 'Partyish'.

I've never seen water at a kid's party drunk from choice.

Maybe a bowl of watery gruel should have been provided, @ImaMumtoaboy 🤔

It’s such a weird phenomenon of Mumsnet that people post on here, being competitively unbothered, and criticising anyone for expecting anything other than the most puritanical and austere of kids’ parties/weddings/birthdays, etc. It’s absolutely hilarious. 😂

As if they’re suggesting people are greedy, demanding twats for wanting something slightly fun or for their kids to be offered more than water and a miserly translucent slice of cake at a two-hour party, which fell over lunch time, and was physically active.

MIne has been to those parties. They all bring their own waterbottles.

Do you really? Or are you just being antagonistic?

because let’s be honest, it’s really shit!

I offer my window cleaner a cold drink or tea/coffee (dependent on weather) and a biscuit (or a tunnocks tea cake), so it seems really mean to not offer the children food at a party.

Exactly it's standard

How are “those parties” communicated to you?

What makes a kick about with a football a party?

It’s not standard at all!

It’s not a party!

I did ask previously, out of interest how many meals do you get out of a medium chicken?

It's not standard at all and no amount of you pretending it is will convince the majority otherwise.

It is standard to provide food and water at parties, this really should be a discussion but as is always the case on here some people just like to argue even if there is no argument to be had.

I think @darkmodeon is one of the party parents!

DD never took a bottle of water to a soft play party. Drinks were provided.

Very odd not to provide food, parents sound tight, kids that age eat loads , particularly if theyve been running around. Squash and water should be free flowing and would expect party food too. Parents sound really tight tbh. Would have been better to clarfify no food was being provided and to bring your own water bottle on the party invite so people knew what to expect