to think that 6-8pm is a bit of an odd time for a 4 year old's birthday party ??

[Tillyscoutsmum]

That's it really ......

Its not the end of the world and we shall probably go but my dc's (2 and 4) are generally in bed at 7ish.

It just seemed a bit of an odd choice to me. AIBU (or more likely, a bit uptight ?)

Can't see the problem. DS1 was never in bed before 9 at that age anyway. He is 13 now and survivng quite well. Even DS2 who is 9 months would be fine with it. People look at me very strangely when I admit tell them that my kids aren't in bed straight after tea. Why? I agree with the poster who said that kids miss out on all sorts when their parents are slaves to a routine. I agree that some sort of general routine and approximate timings are useful but it needs to serve you not the other way round. As for tiredness, the excitement of a party should keep them going if they get tired then they will really crash later!

If it was a Friday, weekend or holiday night I would find it odd but not a problem, so long as you have the kind of children that can lie in. But a week night with school the next morning, then I wouldn't even think about it. As it is DD is asleep by 7 and we have to wake her for preschool at 7.30. If not woken up she would sleep at least an hour+ more. As others have said, holidays are different because she would not have to be in bed so early in order to wake early.

My 5 year old has just been invited to a 6.30pm-8.30pm party on a Friday night. The birthday boy's parents deliberately chose the later time to fit in with their work hours (not sure why they didn't go for weekend ...). My feeling is that my 5 year old will be knackered after along school day but probably can cope as a one off. I do think it's late though and wonder if other parents will not want to their children to go.