Birthday parties during half term

[Believeitornot]

Prepared to be told I'm being U

So my youngest (not at school yet) has been invited to a party during half term and it falls on a week day. They're too young to be left at the party (preschool age).

Siblings aren't allowed but my oldest is going to be with me and I've no one to look after eldest (dh is at work, grandparents are out and usual childcare are on holiday). However my eldest isn't allowed to attend.

AIBU that half term weekday parties are a PITA - the parent doesn't have school age children so obviously didn't think about it (I'm not the only with this dilemma)?

I'm thinking of not taking my youngest to the party but it seems such a shame!

"Around here children go to the parties without parents as soon as they are toilet trained.it'sy on MN it seems they cannot manage"

I think it depends on where the party is and what type. At someone's house it was drop and run. At a soft play centre the parents stayed because:

a) They were all at least a half hour drive away and it wasn't worth going home
b) At 4 or 5 DD would "forget" to go to the toilet without me to remind her. because she was enjoying herself too much and often have a little accident. I would have a change of clothes on hand
c) She would also been too timid and unsure of herself to use a public toilet on her own (these places were big)
d) I think it is unreasonable and a massive ask to ask one or two adults to be responsible for up to 30 children in a soft play place. What if one or two children had had an accident and the parent would have been a half hour drive away?

Re d) If you're organising a party you make sure you have enough adults to help!
You don't leave yourself in the position of having 30 children in soft play with only 2 adults. (actually who leaves themselves in the position of having 30 children in soft play full stop!!!)

Tis the way it goes. One child is invited to party, mum has to make arrangements for other children or decline the invitation. No one can expect the party host to have their party to suit everyone else or they'd never bloody have it. You go or you don't.

Spot on **whatamessIgotinto.

Glad you managed to sort it!