Not to allow DD (4, not at school yet) to go to a softplay party alone.

[MargaretGraceBondfield]

DD is 4 and the neighbour has invited her to a soft play party, not exclusive to the party and so lots of children there. The party is for a five year old and the other children invited are from the little girl's class. The parents who are lovely have only one child and so this party, I would imagine, will be pretty stressful. This is their dd's first 'big' party.

DH is in NY and I have three dss, 8,7 and 2.

DSs have been unwell this week, but are nearly better.

My options are:

To take all children with me and pay for myself and the boys.
To allow dd to go alone, with the risk that she will be the only one who doesn't know anyone. (I'm not sure how she'll cope with this having not even started school yet and is quite quiet)
Not to allow her to go to the party.

I can't ask neighbour to watch her specifically can I? Although her dd wouldn't stay at my dd's small party at home last year, without her Mummy.

I would take my other children and all go together, as long as it wasn't too expensive.

That's another issue, I am broke! DS is sleeping on a lumpy mattress and so I don't feel I can justify the £20 on softplay.

Oh dear, this is such a problem when they are just that bit too little to be left alone. I would only leave her if she was under the watchful eye of another parent I knew, I wouldn't just shove her in the softplay and run away. I would probably ask the mum/dad what they think? Ask if it would be ok to bring the boys (as it's an open session anyway, but it's a bit difficult for them to have no food and no party bag and not to join in at all). At my dd2's recent party, quite a few parents brought one other younger sibling, and paid for them, but not any older ones. Sorry not much help.

I wouldn't let her go if she doesn't know any of the other children.

I think I may suggest that we all go to the arboretum or something instead, it's been a loooong week with everyone home and DH away.

That's sounds like a good alternative.

Thats a great idea. Do something special with the neighbour on another day. And drop round a little gift if you've got one.

They really can't complain then.