Would you attend a preschool class party if you barely knew anyone?

[TheCosyRain]

My child turns 4 in November and attends a preschool for kids age 2 - 4. Despite being there nearly 2 years she’s not yet made any particularly close friendships. And neither have I with any of the other parents. She was invited to 2 whole class parties neither of which we could make.

She wants a party for her birthday and I’m happy to invite the whole class but we’re a bit worried none/very few would attend.

If you have children this age would you take your child to a class party regardless of not being familiar with the parent or your child not being close to the child whose birthday it is?

Yes, of course, this is how you meet people. It’s literally the whole point of parties.

Yes, I've have been to many, many parties where I didn't know a soul. That's how you then get to meet other parents.
I met my best friend this way!

Yes, it's little different to turning up to an activity class with a small child.

Also, even if you were to get a lot of no shows, I think small children love small parties. Even if 4 kids show up, your child knows no different and will have a blast with their 4 guests. The only hurt would be to your pride. You'd probably still meet some nice parents too and actually get to know them a bit.

Yes. I didn’t know any parents initially but took my kids and they aren’t going to know that your child doesn’t have any particular friends.

As long as we were free, we'd go. I'd assume the other parents are in the same boat

Yes, I'd have done it for her at that stage. I'm a lot older now, and realise its a great way of your child forming early connections/friendships as well as yourself.

Yes absolutely!!

I agree, i remember my son had many friends in his class and also disliked some kids so they are perfectly capable of forming friendships, but this will be very fluid as they move up the classes.

100% would take my kid.

I have a 4 year old and I go to every single party he is invited to (unless holidays etc). I think it’s so important for little people to see people show up for them and I take it really serious. I’m not going to lie my little boy is a very well liked little boy and we’ve had 13 party invites this year already and some weekend I could do without it but I always show up!
I will say though he had a party where I invited 35. I sent out the invites about 6 weeks before and it the first week I only had 10 responses but in the end 32 attended. I do think people wait to see if they get a better offer for their weekend than a kids party before confirming!

Yes. It wouldn't be important if we had other things to do at the same time, but if we didn't, I would. That's how you get to know other kids and parents.

Yes, that’s how you get to know people.
Even if they then stay in your phone as “ Ella’s mum” for the next 10 years!

Yes we would.

We had a party for the first time this year for DD’s 4th birthday and she only has a couple of friends. I don’t know any of the parents outside of saying hi occasionally at pickups. We invited enough for the soft play’s minimum number and it all went well. We have since received a few reciprocal invites. The whole room is more than 30 otherwise we would have been happy to invite everyone (maximum for the venue was 20)

Oh yes!
They rarely make close friends at that age but if you go to the party you’ll see the little interactions your child has with the other children. You’ll get to know the parents and hear things like “Oh that’s Freddie, Max was talking about him the other day, they were playing in the mud kitchen together” etc etc or hear useful tips from other parents, or just get to know people in the same boat.

You can always leave a little bit early if you need to. But usually these parties are better than you think they are going to be.