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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to have a 5 year old's birthday party 6pm-8pm on a Saturday night?

113 replies

emsyj · 07/04/2015 14:32

I think I already know the answer to this one but I'm clutching desperately at straws... there's a great venue that I could hire for DD1's birthday party but they will only offer exclusive use outside normal opening hours. this translates as either 5pm-7pm on weeknights (not Fridays) or 6pm-8pm weekends. I think that's too late but I really want the party there! It must be exclusive use as otherwise the numbers mean it would be more expensive to pay per head than the private hire charge, plus it's a popular place and DD1 is very shy and is unlikely to join in if there are crowds of other older kids there that she doesn't know. This place is popular with older kids as it has one of those huge high slides that you use a mat for and also a climbing wall.

So, how unpopular would I be in the school playground if I arrange a party at that hour...? if it helps, siblings would be welcome to come along although the sit-down party food can only cater for a limited number due to the size of the room so they wouldn't be able to have the party tea.

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 07/04/2015 14:34

It's slightly late ....but a weekend so no school etc....dd is almost 5 she would be there.

IHaveBrilloHair · 07/04/2015 14:35

I really don't think many people will come

MissMuesli · 07/04/2015 14:36

I think it's a bit too late as we wouldn't be getting home until 8.30pm/ 9pm so not in bed before 9.30pm. We would come though as we keep our sundays as quiet days but I wouldn't want to do many of these late parties! I'd book it but be prepared that not everyone will come!

TywysogesGymraeg · 07/04/2015 14:37

I think that would be fine for a Saturday evening

Heels99 · 07/04/2015 14:39

My five year old would fall asleep on a mat!

JoandMax · 07/04/2015 14:39

Unfortunately I think you'd get quite a lot not coming, by the time people would get home and done bath/bed etc it'd be a pretty late night which doesn't work with a lot of kids......

Also if the adults have plans for the evening they may also decline for that reason too - I get DC in bed asleep ready for the babysitter!

IMurderedStampyLongnose · 07/04/2015 14:42

No chance of me bringing my dc's to a party at that time,and we always say yes to invitations,,just too late for a 5yo imo.

Artandco · 07/04/2015 14:43

Would be fine here, my 5 year old hoes to bed around 9pm so they will be nicely tired after party

LadyStark · 07/04/2015 14:43

My DD at five would be a mess by about 7pm and not fit for more than a bedtime story. Even now at seven I would inwardly sigh at a party finishing at 8pm.

BackforGood · 07/04/2015 14:43

I think it's too late for 4 and 5 yr olds.
Save the venue for when she's older.

Original poster
emsyj · 07/04/2015 14:50

Yes I think DD would be ok as a one off but I can imagine it would be hugely inconvenient for a lot of people - the venue is maybe 15 minutes drive away which would add to the lateness. Bugger. It mught have to be one for a later party - maybe when she's 7 or 8.

OP posts:
DrCoconut · 07/04/2015 14:53

Sounds fine to me. My two never went/go to bed before about 9 these days unless DS2 is exceptionally tired. He will be 4 shortly and just doesn't need more than 9-10 hours sleep.

BarbarianMum · 07/04/2015 14:58

I would have politely declined the invitation at that age, I'm afraid. Mine were annoyingly early to bed, early to rise children at 5.

By age 7 it would have been fine.

shewept · 07/04/2015 15:01

My 4 year old would ruin the party. If he isn't tucked up by 7.30pm at the latest, he tends to get very stroppy. Its not the time particularly (dd would have been fine at that time) I would have been more concerned about ds having a melt down. It's just how he is.

Discopanda · 07/04/2015 15:01

I think you'd end up with over-tired, over-excited small children on your hands.

PeachyPants · 07/04/2015 15:06

Personally I think for 4 and 5 year olds that will be too late for many, I wouldn't get so hung up on that particular venue at that age most kids will be made up with a playbarn party.

waithorse · 07/04/2015 15:06

For an older child it would be fine on a weekend. But I know my 5.7 year old wouldn't like it, he likes his sleep and isn't one for late nights. Might just be him though.

drbonnieblossman · 07/04/2015 15:12

It's a time more suited to maybe a 7 year old. However, we drop schedules/timetables at the drop of a hat for a party! Plus it's on a Saturday so no need for an early rise the next day! I say go for itGrin

BikeRunSki · 07/04/2015 15:19

My 5 year old would have been ok for the first half hour, grumpy for the next half hour and aslerp for the last hour.

DinoSnores · 07/04/2015 15:27

I wouldn't take my 4.5 yo unless it was a very close friend. DS is in bed by 6.30 most evenings and would be tired and unpleasant by the end of it!

overthehillabit · 07/04/2015 15:29

My DD, 6 years old, wouldn't be there because (a) she's in bed for 7pm and (b) I have to be drunk by 7:15pm on Fridays and Saturdays its the law

butterfliesinmytummy · 07/04/2015 15:31

It's too late. Plus, you (and all the partygoers' parents) will be driven to distraction with the constant "is it time for the party yet?" questions every five minutes from the time they wake up to the beginning of the party. It's for this reason alone that kids parties are in the morning wherever possible in my family.....

AnyFucker · 07/04/2015 15:33

I would hate you forever for that

supermariossister · 07/04/2015 15:38

Wouldn't bother me at all i would bring ds, but might those who have younger dc.

LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops · 07/04/2015 15:40

Yes, too late I'm afraid.

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