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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is odd timing for a 2nd b. day party?

70 replies

pleasethanks · 23/09/2012 19:31

The party is for a 2 year old. Pretty much all the children attending are 2ish (and parents obviously!). The party is at 1.45 to 3.45.

Maybe IABU, but I thought pretty much all 2 year olds would be napping at some point in that window?!

Yes, it is not a huge issue, I know that, but it just seemed a bit funny timing to me. I am not relishing waking up DD early from her nap to take her to a party where she will get over excited!

OP posts:
HappyAsASandboy · 23/09/2012 20:21

That would be perfect timing for my two 2 year olds. They normally nap for about two hours somewhere between 10.30 and 1.30. They don't nap in the afternoon unless they've not slept in the morning for some reason (eg a birthday party Wink).

I am currently planning a birthday party for my twins and was thinking 2pm - 4pm, or maybe 1pm - 3pm, but I'm a bit worried 1pm might mean lunch is a rush.

I think maybe the time you get up influences these things. We're up at 6am in contrast to your 8am, so I guess we're offset by two hours? Have to do 6am in the week, so it happens that way at the weekend too.

Ragwort · 23/09/2012 20:27

I think a party at 10 am would be really odd Hmm.

My DS did sleep after lunch from about 2pm - 4pm until he was about 3 (bliss Grin) - and straight to bed at 7pm; however I would happily skip the nap for a party invitation, it's not as if they happen every week unless you are in some fabulous social circle.

As others have said, whatever time you did it won't suit everyone; can't really remember what time we did parties (a long time ago now) but I think it was about 3-5pm because we used to invite a few older children who were already at school.

Original poster
pleasethanks · 23/09/2012 20:27

halloween I meant up and on the go as in my toddler gets up at 8am (on a very good day) and she is on the go from the minute she gets up. I am certainly not ready to leave the house at that time!!!

This is strange, honestly, as all the friends of DD all together in the morning so they can have lunch and then go for a nap. Must be something in the water.

OP posts:
PuffPants · 23/09/2012 20:33

I agree with you OP. I would be a bit Hmm with a party at that time too.

It is the most typical nap time for the majority of 2 yr olds. We all know some nap earlier and some nap later and some don't nap at all but most do and they do it after lunch.

However, presumably this time works best for the child whose birthday it is and it's their (patents) prerogative to dictate the time.

NameChangeGalore · 23/09/2012 20:36

Is that 1.45-3.45 AM? If not, YABU.

Original poster
pleasethanks · 23/09/2012 20:36

puffpants I am sure it does work for the parents and their DS and that is key obviously! I have just been a bit surprised on this thread that no other 2 year olds tend to nap early afternoon!

OP posts:
PuffPants · 23/09/2012 20:37

All you can do is go along and give it your best shot - if your DD gets tired you'll have to leave but chances are she'll power through and fall asleep on the way home (which might not be ideal but it's a one-off) Smile

PuffPants · 23/09/2012 20:39

Only on Mumsnet!! That's what I tell myself about a lot of things Grin Honestly there are things on MN that appear to be Gospel and yet which bear no relation to the views and habits of real people!!

Pippinintherain · 23/09/2012 20:40

Both mine had dropped their nap by 2.

Don't turn up an hour late. Very, very rude.

StealthPolarBear · 23/09/2012 20:41

No trolls I mean why that time? It's not just on this thread, most people I knew whn my dc were little had that routine

Original poster
pleasethanks · 23/09/2012 20:44

stealth Because, I think, that is the time that most toddler naturally get tired?

OP posts:
ohcluttergotme · 23/09/2012 20:44

I thought you were going to say party at 9pm! My ds's nap when he was 2 was 12 ish til 1ish but if he got invited to party we have him earlier or later depending. Sounds like your being a bit unreasonable...step away from the Gina Ford book Smile

GluedToTheVideoMonitor · 23/09/2012 20:45

Mines an early riser (5:30-6:30am), she's 21 months old and naps for an hour and a half in the late morning.
So this would suit us brilliantly! But I'm aware that most other toddlers nap a bit later (those I know, by the way) so we are planning her second birthday party for 2pm-4pm.

Ajaney · 23/09/2012 20:46

I declined an invitation to a cousins 2nd birthday party earlier in the year due to the timings. My DS was 18 months at the time and napped every day 12.30 to 2.30pm. The party was 12noon to 2pm and it was 30 minutes drive away. At that time, DS was just awful without his nap.

You know your child best. If he is one which needs a nap and it is not feasible to bring it forward, decline.

These days, although DS still likes a nap, he can manage without so I could take him.

Really depends on the child.

crazypaving · 23/09/2012 20:48

my 22mo naps from 10.30-1.30. A 10am party would be hopeless for us!

Original poster
pleasethanks · 23/09/2012 20:52

clutter - never used GF in my DD's life! I just know when she sleeps at the moment and it is the same as most of her pals (of whom no parents use GF!)

OP posts:
forevergreek · 23/09/2012 20:53

I probably would decline the invite tbh. Might sound ott, but with 3 under 3 who all sleep 1-3/3.30pm I wouldn't want to change that.
I could attempt early Naptime say 11-1pm but waking up at 1pm would be far to early for youngest 2 as they wouldn't last until 7pm bedtime. By 5pm would be half asleep and this would have knock on affects for days ( 5pm bed prob 5am wake.. Then 1pm nap next day too late etc..)
And no nap would mean all three tired and falling asleep at party

Eldest is nearly 3, he still can't cope without a nap. Most people we know would have a party at 4pm

BlueSkySinking · 23/09/2012 20:57

mine tended to sleep from 12 til 1.30 or 2

Original poster
pleasethanks · 23/09/2012 20:57

I am starting to have doubts about going now! If we got for 145 there is no chance she will have had a nap and she will be totally over tired and a mess by the end of the party. Which is shit for everyone!

OP posts:
halloweeneyqueeney · 23/09/2012 20:58

can't you put them down for their nap in their buggy before the party, then take them to the party in buggy (still napping), then when they wake they wake and they're there?

forevergreek · 23/09/2012 21:10

Could I put them in buggy?
Well, we only have a single buggy for youngest. Next youngest has a buggy board/ walks and eldest walks. So out of three only poss for one to nap. I have no need for a triple buggy when they happily nap in cots

Original poster
pleasethanks · 23/09/2012 21:13

Oh halloween I wish, I wish. She ain't a buggy napper.

OP posts:
MrSunshine · 23/09/2012 21:14

my last toddler would sleep from 10-12 most days.

princelypurpleparrot · 23/09/2012 21:14

Until my DS dropped his nap, he used to nap at that time. If there was a party I'd wake him a little earlier, but we were always late arrivals. I'm a bit Hmm that people are saying it's rude to turn up late. Whenever the email invites went round within my little group, there would always be lots of replies saying "we'll probably not get there till xxxx time as xx naps". I don't think anyone thought it was rude!

Zimbah · 23/09/2012 21:15

Can't you just say to the party mum that you'll come when your DD wakes up from her nap, and then try to put her down early? Honestly why would anyone mind if you got there just for the last hour (or less), at 2 the children are too young to care.