Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Party for a 5 year old held 10 miles from home...why????

86 replies

barbie007 · 29/09/2011 21:25

DS has brought a party invite home today. It's for his friend who will be 5 next month which is lovely but why on earth are they having it in a place that's 10 miles away? Do the parents think I've got nothing better to do?

OP posts:
worraliberty · 29/09/2011 21:27

Have you asked the parents why?

I'm sure they'll know more than we do Confused

BatsUpMeNightie · 29/09/2011 21:29

Does it say on the invite that your DS's head will spontaneously combust if he doesn't go?

backwardpossom · 29/09/2011 21:29

If DS wanted a party at our local softplay, we'd be 20 miles away. We are rural. We've been to plenty birthday parties there.

Oakmaiden · 29/09/2011 21:30

Could be lots of reasons. Maybe there is something in particular about the place they have chosen that makes them want it there. Maybe they are inviting people from a wide geographical area, not just school, and 10 miles away is central. Maybe they couldn't find anywhere closer available on the day they want?

Do you know the parents? Casn you ask them? Or arrange to share lifts with another parent?

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 29/09/2011 21:30

eerrmm ...don't go then....it's not compulsory

worraliberty · 29/09/2011 21:31

Maybe the kid's got an ASBO and has been banned from every other party venue in his home town?

NorfolkBroad · 29/09/2011 21:32

I live in rural area and so we have had parties further away than this and been to some too. However, when we did one further than 10 miles ourselves we took lots of the kids in our car.

ShatnersBassoon · 29/09/2011 21:32

His parents should have checked with you before booking Hmm

zukiecat · 29/09/2011 21:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BatsUpMeNightie · 29/09/2011 21:32
pointythings · 29/09/2011 21:32

My DD2 was invited to a party for a classmate that was held 30 miles away. We went, it was great. And the parent in question was happy for DD1 to come along as spaces were prepaid and there had already been cancellations, so DD1 was there having fun and being brilliant with the horde of mad toddlers who were also there. It all worked very well.

SpaghettiTwirlerAndProud · 29/09/2011 21:33

:o ASBO

hiddenhome · 29/09/2011 21:33

Perhaps there's nothing in the immediate vicinity that's suitable for them.

10 miles is nothing. Try 30.

hiddenhome · 29/09/2011 21:33

Are you the sort of person who never ventures out of their village? Grin

fluffywhitekittens · 29/09/2011 21:34

Shouldn't think the parents were thinking of you specifically when they booked it.
Do you have transport issues? Could someone else who is travelling this massive distance going give you a lift?

BikeRunSki · 29/09/2011 21:35

We're rural, 10 miles is nothing - 20 mins or so in car. Normal.

Sirzy · 29/09/2011 21:35

There are very few places to have a party where I live so 10 miles would be nothing!

booyhoo · 29/09/2011 21:36

the softplay/hall is close to where all the extended family and otherfriends live.?

the venue is cheaper than those local to you?

they dontwant 30 5 yearolds in their house?

they dont need to consider what better things you have to do onthat day, itis their child's party not barbie007 convenience day?

notevenamousie · 29/09/2011 21:36

We had one that was really tricky without a car last weekend - DD and I discussed that it would be a long walk and not in a party dress - she decided it was worth it and we went. (Took us an hour to get there w bus and walk - she slept really well Grin ) I assume there's more to this than you getting in your car and driving for 15 minutes - is it a nightmare trek on buses and walking? If so can you discuss the issues with DS?

Hulababy · 29/09/2011 21:36

Can't see the problem personally. Up to the family where they hold the party. Then up to the guest's parents if they want to take their children or not. Attendance is not compulsary.

DD has been to parties all over the city here. Most of her friends live a few miles away as it is. Wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

Original poster
barbie007 · 29/09/2011 21:36

I'm liking the ASBO suggestion.....

We live in the city, plenty of fun stuff to do around here so my point is, why make people's lives complicated by booking a softplay that'll take 45 min to get to when there are so many other softplays nearby. I just don't get it...I mean does a 5 year old care what softplay they're actually in???

OP posts:
fivegomadindorset · 29/09/2011 21:37

Pretty normal for around here but we are rural too.

wigglesrock · 29/09/2011 21:37

I've taken dd at 5 to a few parties that have been about 10 miles away. Maybe its cheaper Shock

nulgirl · 29/09/2011 21:39

Opened this post thinking it might be about my daughter's party. She is having her 5th birthday party on Sunday and we are having it at a softplay which is about 10 miles from us. We are having it there because she likes it and it is better than the many others which are closer to us. Most of the guests are children of my friends and we all like going to this place. She has just started school and invited a few kids from her school at the last minute. TBH I don't really care if they can make it or not. Am not going to re-arrange her party to suit some parents that I don't even know.

If you don't want to take him then make up some excuse. He surely can't read the invitation properly yet. If transport is a problem then couldn't you see if you can hitch a lift with someone else who is going?

Sirzy · 29/09/2011 21:39

Perhaps the parents do? I can't stand our local soft play it's shite compared to the one 20 mins drive away. Lots of people seem to like the local one I don't and ds who isn't quite two obviously prefers the other one so if a 2 year old has a preference I am sure a 5 year old would!