Kids birthday party

[SkyBlue1987]

Hello, hosting a party at our house this weekend for my child turning seven. There will
be 10-12 kids with my partner and I supervising plus we have an entertainer. A lot are kids who have been here before for drop off play dates but one kids parent has indicated they will stay by saying ‘we will be there’. Do you think I should plan for an extra adult to be hanging around awkwardly or do you think it’s likely they’ll disappear after they realise no other parents are staying?

Just say it’s drop off only thanks we don’t have the room really. It’s your house take the lead it’s not up to the parent to let you know they will be hanging around

Yep. Sounds like they will stay. What age are the kids? I was a drop and run but not many had parties at home. I think I would have been nervous my child would accidentally break something so I may have wanted to stay for that reason. Or they are idealistic and think you will have time to chat...

The joys of parties.

Best thing is not to stress too much. Hope you are in an area where there is nice weather to enable some outside time

In fairness if they do stay...give them a job to do... Tidying plates etc.... that will give them a sharp exit

Good luck!

I think you’ll get a few staying but not all, I don’t understand parents staying at that age either but they do!

At that age most parents stated on the invite that there was no capacity for parents attending, or if there was space for parents to wait/watch. I always host in a venue and write that parents are welcome to drop off or stay, and provide refreshments.

For most parties in people's houses, parents usually say that there's limited capacity to stay but a few of you can. Personally I never stay if it's a party in a house but I've seen others enjoy a nice chat in the kitchen (and you need to make space for parents to wait while the dcs are finishing up and getting their things). But you just have to spell it out on the invite, not let people guess.

When we hosted DS’ 7th birthday (at home, similar number, with an entertainer), I made it clear that we couldn’t accommodate parents or siblings but parents were welcome to come a little bit early to pick up if they wanted cake/a drink.

I’d just text back saying it’s a drop off party.

Give them a job helping

I’d always hang around unless it was made clear on the invitation that I couldn’t 😳😂 But I have a shy child who I don’t think would stay without me yet (he’s 6).

I hope nobody has minded me staying and felt I was hanging around awkwardly 😬 I’ve always just make myself useful (I hope!) and helped with any jobs that need doing!

Id always be glad of the extra pair of hands 😅

I found year 2 to be the cross over from mist parents staying, to most dropping off. Remember some of them will only just be 6, and my DD was a bit older before I felt comfortable leaving her as she has SEN ( though by that point parties tended to be just a few friends and her friend’s parents knew about her SEN).

"Sorry we don't have space for the adults as well so it's a drop off party."

I think either if that child has not had a playdate and you dont know the parents well and they dont know you then absolutely its fine for them to stay. Equally if you know the parents well they might want to stay as 'friends'. I'd just be welcoming. I have the same situation coming up, my son will be 8. Bowling and arcade party. Some of the parents I know v well and they might drop and leave but I think 2 in particular will stay. One is the new child in my sons class. Some of the kids will be 6 and 7. I think parents staying at that age is pretty normal.

What's the harm if the one parent stays? Have a gossip and get them helping out. Their child might need them there for support. I'm sure the parent wants to drop and go (who doesn't). Also we have no way of knowing whether they'll go with the herd or stick it out.

I think a drop and go party should say so on the invite.

She's probably at home wondering why ot isn't a drop and go!

Personally I preferred the format of parents staying at parties and missed it as thry got older. I like watching my dcs enjoy themselves and I felt like I missed out when I wasn't able to stay and watch any more. Plus house parties are sometimes in residential areas with nowhere interesting to go, and I take public transport so have no car to wait in - I've ended up sitting on a bench in the rain waiting for my dc to finish at a party or play date.

‘Just to clarify, it’s drop off only due to space. No room for parents or siblings. Looking forward to seeing (insert child’s name) there’

If it’s a new home for them and they don’t know you or what creepy uncles you might have lurking around it’s very sensible that they want a parent to stay with their child.
you should offer drop off and go but if parent offers to stay and help id allow it to calm their anxieties (but put them to work)

Never been to a birthday party in a house, but on playdates by this stage, I wouldn't necessarily stay (sometimes would if chatting to parents).
Looking at the way a lot of the kids behave at parties outside the home, I'd be happy for some of the parents to stay to avoid carnage. There's always several who need an adult with them all the time. Sometimes, they're not the ones whose parents stay, though!