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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to not want to do this on my own- kids party

19 replies

carlisle02 · 17/04/2012 15:18

Would you host a party for twelve 6 year olds on your own at a play centre. Bearing in mind most parents will leave their dc.
Was all set to book when dh said he probably wouldn't be able to be there. Thinking of trying for a weekend party instead or am I a wuss.

OP posts:

bringbacksideburns · 17/04/2012 15:20

Rope in a couple of friends/relatives to help you?

It's in a play centre so it's not like you have to be constantly hands on if food and drink is provided.

Debsbear · 17/04/2012 15:22

I'd do it, and have done many times! If you're in a playcentre it'll be a piece of cake. Food all taken care of (I assume) in advance. You can always ask one or two friends/ parents to stay if you want back up. Just make sure that all parents are aware that there won't be anyone available to accompany their children if they need to leave the playarea to use the toilet. Nice if you can both be there for your childs sake, but for the sake of the party, just get on with it. If you can raise a 6 year old, you can do this!!

insancerre · 17/04/2012 15:25

Yes and have done before. Just ask a couple of the mums to stay and help or family if yours is nearby.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 17/04/2012 15:27

Yes I would and wouldnt give it a second thought. It will be fine and there are bound to be a couple of mums who will stay anyway!

Debsbear · 17/04/2012 15:28

If you are going to do it completely on your own, top tip - be VERY organised. Have party bags labelled (if you're doing party bags that is), balloons blown up ready etc. You don't want to be fiddling around during the party itself.

Groovee · 17/04/2012 15:29

Are you friendly enough with any of the mums to as them to stay.

jodidi · 17/04/2012 15:29

I'd do it. I did every party for dd1 on my own until she was 7. It was fine. If you'd said it was a sleepover or something it would have been less doable, but in a play centre is ok as they are constantly entertained without you having to do anything.

008 · 17/04/2012 15:32

Against the grain here ... yes you could do it alone, but why?

I would make it at a weekend when DH could be there. 12 screaming 6 year olds should be a shared parenting experience!

Aniseeda · 17/04/2012 16:23

Agree with 008. Yes, you could do it alone but yanbu to want to share the joy with your DH!

Book it at a time that he can be there

Gumby · 17/04/2012 16:26

Single parents must do it all the time

FantasticDay · 17/04/2012 16:29

I've done a play centre party and it was pretty much all taken care of for me - all I did was take a cake. They did party bags etc. But a weekend party would probably be better for working parents anyway, and then you wouldn't have the stress of worrying before the event.

Original poster

carlisle02 · 17/04/2012 16:39

Think my main concern in toilet issues if no other parents stay. If at least one other parent stays than of course it will be fine.

OP posts:

shushpenfold · 17/04/2012 16:41

Have had to do this many times as DH works during term time weekends. I found that at least one mum stayed and once I provided a couple of jugs of Pimms and nibbles too, we had all of the parents staying!!

DontCallMeBaby · 17/04/2012 16:47

I would be reluctant to - but then I only have one child and tend to go bit cross-eyed if I even have two to look after (ie am a wuss). Plus I would be convinced something awkward would happy regarding loos, either I'd send one off to the loo by itself and realise fifteen minutes later it hadn't returned, or I'd accompany a child to the loo and then come back to find one of the others had knocked itself unconscious in my absence ...

Maryz · 17/04/2012 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

redwineformethanks · 17/04/2012 16:54

I wouldn't do it on my own. I'd try for a date / venue when your DH is available too.

Takver · 17/04/2012 17:08

Personally I would book it for a time when DH could be there and I couldn't

MrsLetchlady · 17/04/2012 21:04

If it was an organised party, then yes.

If there's any problems, then surely your party host / organiser person will be on hand to help you out...? That is what you pay them for.

And by 6, surely the children are old enough to take themselves to the loo...? After all, they would be expected to do this in school.

That said, I would ask a parent first if they could stay... but if not then, I would do it alone. I always stay at soft play parties though because there's nowhere else to go... would it be very likely that all the parents would leave...?

halcyondays · 17/04/2012 21:49

I wouldn't do it on my own if at all possible. I'd change it to a time when dh could be there. Don't think I've ever been to a birthday party where the dad wasn't there, except when the dad wasn't on the scene. You definitely need at least two people.

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