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.

We are in Ireland so the kids are still in primary school.

But I wouldn't expect it and get annoyed if it wasn't provided at an activity planned by someone els

Not even at lunchtime when the children won't have eaten since breakfast?

That is just so mean spirited.

It is very telling that the OP stated that the normally lively children were rather quiet and subdued at pick up time don't you think?

Are you the party host?

@mumofmanybusykids But it was a birthday party? At lunchtime? I would expect food UNLESS specified otherwise on invite - as I'm sure all the other families would have.

Im not annoyed over it. The kids were txting about the lack of food so I came on here to start a coversation in chat about. No where did I say how dare they not provide my child with a 3 course lunch. (Obviously lighthearted before anyone jumps in and says im getting defensive about it).
On the invite they said football was 12-2, collect 2.30 so forgive me but in that 30 minute gap you would presume the kids were getting something to eat. Why not say collect at 2 straight after the football.
The pitches are on outskirts of the town. Nearest shop in 15 min walk, no shop or coffee shop at the pitches.

Unless explicitly stated "no food", everyone would assume food would be provided at a 12-2 party. And water.

Any Mumsnetters twisting themselves into knots to suggest otherwise are just being abrasive for the sake of it.

Yes, and I sure wouldn’t like to go to one of their parties .

What food did you have at your wedding? Did you not serve any because guests where past primary school age?

How on earth is a pizza inappropriate for a 11 year old?

And why would it be cold fresh out of the ovens?

Literally no one suggested a buffet of Jelly & Ice cream. Honestly a magnum type ice cream each or 99 would be better than nowt. In fact going back for my DS 11th we did actually serve Mcflurries from the Mcdonalds opposite the venue.

It wasn’t an activity, they were invited to a party.

Hence the requirement for party food?

With that post about the mum wanting her kid back for 2pm and asking if you will have fed him 😲 she has officially entered CF territory now.

Wants the praise of a party, without the effort and expense. Her poor kid, good that your son has been told not to talk about it, but kids will remember the crap party and (if my childhood is anything to go by) it'll be an anecdote laughed about. And mums definitely won't forget!

MasterBeth · Yesterday 14:06
Brightbear · Yesterday 13:54

Which would’ve been free in a park….
Show quote history
Playing football in the park is not like playing football on a proper astro pitch, especially when you're 11”

Quite.

That is a bit funny after the Irish poster upthread who said this wouldn’t happen in Ireland 🙊

Having lunch at lunch time is not the same as having it mid afternoon.

It’s just cheap and inhospitable. If the parents couldn’t afford to do a party properly then they shouldn’t have bothered with a half-arsed one.

Agree with this (and sever others on here).
People mentioning COL as a possible reason - tap water, squash, crisps and maybe some simple homemade sandwiches really don’t cost that much.

In all the parties my ds has been to this is the first time its every happened. This is why its so surprising because its so unusual.
Irish mammies like to make sure kids are well looked after at parties. Sometimes we go overboard to make sure theres more then enough.
My ds went out to play yesterday the plan was to play ball in the park they got fed up as some of the kids went home so ended up in his friends house (wasnt planned) around 6.30 . He had his dinner here at 5 but that didnt stop his friends mammy putting on ham and cheese toasties for them around 7.30.

If you cannot afford to cater a birthday party you book it for in between mealtimes (eg 2-4) and state on the invites that no meals will be provided.

As long as it weighs less than 1/2 gram, I suppose, on a special day, it would be okay.

Your post totally made me laugh! 47 meals and a hearty soup---😆👏

I humbly beg your apologies! You are correct, no food and really, the ice cram is out too. Even hand churned.

I am shamed. 😉😎

I think some just want to be contrary. Just not sure why they enjoy that?

Perhaps they’re hangry 😂

It was more a comment about how the DC was so incredibly thirsty when he was picked up 😂

ImaMumtoaboy YADefinitelyNU that is completely ridiculous, it was a birthday party, not a playdate! Of course the parents should have sorted some food and drink!
I do have a party that beats yours though -my 5yo child was invited to a picnic birthday party, the invitation stated bring your own sandwiches and drink. Ok, so we did. Only, the birthday child’s mother set a wonderful table full of party food… for adult family members! So a bunch of 5-6 yo children were set on their picnic blankets munching on their sandwiches while birthday child and the family were enjoying party food.
It gets worse - one child had no lunch with them because their parents didn’t read the invitation properly - fair enough, it happens. The child - mind you a 5 year old - still got nothing from the host’s table and it was my kind child who shared their sandwich with the friend! It was horribly awkward and we’ve certainly never experienced this level of stingy before or after!

Perhaps Mumsnet should start selling Snickers bars? Or have little alert bars pop up that say, "don't forget to stay hydrated while criticizing thread starters" and "eat regularly so you can avoid hangry episodes". 😎🙃😲

Poor birthday boy/girl. Imagine word going around school that your parents were too tight to provide some supermarket pizzas and rice crispie buns.