To wonder why so many parents stay at parties?

[Dancergirl]

I have just taken my dd to a party, the little boy was turning 5 and most of the guests were Reception children. I wasn't sure if I was staying or not but in the end another mum offered to drop dd home so I said goodbye to her and left.

It was a party in a sports hall with organised games. The birthday child's parents and grandparents were there in addition to the instructors so lots of adult help.

As I was leaving I couldn't help noticing that only a few parents had left; the others were sitting by the side while the children did the games.

This is NOT a dig at anyone, but I am curious why it's the done thing these days to stay at parties. I would understand if you had a particularly nervous or shy child but all the children were happily joining us and were settled.

I am sure years ago parents didn't stay at parties. So why the change?

manic It's a house party like your's I would feel comfortable enough to leave allergic DS at. Because as a teacher you are likely epi-pen trained, dealt with allergic children, use to thinking on your feet and controlling situations. Also there is a smaller number of children.

As I said ^^, I had a house party for DS last year, 3 allergic/intolerant children and no adults. Other than my best friend who stayed to help me!

Excellent point about midazolam the human I had all the training etc and I remember the first time I had to administer it to a child who had a seizure in my arms and was projectile vomiting. The small measures and trying to get it into the gums of a child in tonic clonic seizure is not something any training can teach you.

It's good that you feel misbehaving kids deserve a second chance, Dancer, but sadly, many people don't think that way. And they seem to be the ones who most like to gab about their views to mates (sigh).

It was actually KAL who said my friend's SN child is fake- it was not nice and I wanted her to see that.
Apart from him and my nephew who has DS ( and yes he stays on his own too ) we don't know any SN kids well so doesn't arise. The thread was principally about regular kids - rather than inclusion/exclusion of SN. That was hijack really.

Its child with SN, not SN Kid.

At 5 in a sports centre I might stay, I'd be less likely to in someone's house. Harder to keep track on the kids in that sort of venue, esp if they need toilet. This is specially a worry with DS1 (likely to have weeing accident, also sort of child who might escape).

Other reasons eg allergies / clingy children / transport.

my dd is a regular kid thanks,
sn doesn't make them aliens from out of space

Long thread so can someone summarise what the problem is?

What is wrong with having parents in your house?
Why do people not like it?

Is it such a dreadful effort to be friendly?

I will stay if it seems appropriate. I think its a bit of a cheek to dump your kid and run.

I like parents to stay at my DC's little tea parties. Its nice to meet them and have a chat.

Oh and WTF with the 'SN child' bollocks?

MrsDeV really don't bother. OP asks q, gets varied but largely reasonable answers. Lorcana wades in, determined to wind people up. Succeeda.

Succeeds, even. Doopid 'phone.

I quite like Succeeda.

You would be crucified on baby name threads for placing unreasonable expectations on LO

Ohdo - you HAVE to read whole thread. Every single post - otherwise certain posters will cry 'fake' 'troll' 'fuckwit' ( another thread not this one ) and generally shriek in v shrill voice. It's an MN rule don't you know ....

haha MrsDeVere, I have a mythical DC6 too. Maybe I should call mine Thalia and we could conduct a social experiment!

My childrens' parties are always held at home and anybody and everybody is welcome. But we have a big house and a lot of families as friends so separating into parents, big kids and little kids isn't really necessary.

I think the troll thing would be more likely to happen if I started posting fuckwittery about SN kids and Allergy mums and getting the help to deal with inconvienent parents

Not what I said at all.

You didnt refer to SN kids?

I must have you mixed up with someone else then.

lorcana- I think the way you said "Allergy Mums" was offensive enough.

especially as it's 'mums whose children have allergies' or 'children who have special needs'. It's something a child has, it isn't who they are - but it does affect the care and supervision they need.

Going back to what mrswoodentop said, I very much agree that it depends on the peer group.

With DS1 most parents stopped staying at parties when they were about 5 to 6, with DS2 nearly all parents are still staying and they're all in yr3 turning 8.

With DS2's class it seems to be seen as cheeky (as if you're using it as free childcare) to leave your child, but then they mostly don't have older siblings and are more babied that DS1s friends ever were. I wonder when DS2s friends parents will start to let go?