Not to attend friends DS house birthday party

[Stardust160]

Went out with my friend and she meantioned having a house birthday party for her DS who will be 1. My DS birthday is in the same week. Aibu not to go?

She regularly had birthday partys in her house for her other DC and frankly they are boring for the children, no party games, no bouncy castle just the kids running around, her DH ( who I dislike and is rude) watches football or plays his Xbox. My two have complained they have been bored and the house is full of adults sitting around chatting whilst the kids get on with it or end up fighting over a toy. Plus il have to leave my newborn with my DH. My other friend has opted out of taking her children to further parties for the same reason. It's just not a party for them.

It's not the fact of bouncy castles or entertainers. Simple games such as past the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey so it's catered to the children(10-12 of them) not them running around in a rather small house full of adults.

Don't go, OP. I have a friend whose children's parties are ill disguised grown up piss ups with a few bored children thrown in.

It is a kids' party, if your kids hate it, don't go. If you received an invitation to a really boring gig yourself, you'd turn it down. Allow your kids to do the same.

Stardust it's the exact type of party that my IL's adore. Kids just do whatever they want and the adults eat and drink and occasionally check up on children. It isn't for everyone and as it's something I didn't grow up with; I don't understand the appeal but I have to go and I sometimes have a nice time! Don't go if it's going to be a chore for you and kids or pop round for half hour (no kids) just to drop off card and present and say you're going out with your family for DS birthday.

Sounds like you've already talked yourself out of going. Say you've got something organised for your DS and so you won't be able to make it. Leave them to enjoy their party in their own way without disgruntled guests sitting around complaining about being bored.

Don't bother going. It's clearly beneath you.

I had a house party last year for a group of 7 year olds. I did have a few things planned but when they turned up they ran around the house having fun. We went in the kitchen and left them to it and had a cup of tea. They had a cushion fight, dragged each other around in a box and slid around on the wooden floors. Ok it wasn't my plan but they thought it was great! Not all parties need entertainment. This year we had a day trip so just had a birthday tea. Friends came over, I fed them and they played. Again they all loved it.

I think Yabu. Kids don't need structured games/bouncy castles if there are other kids about. Let them run about and make up silly games. So many kids these days have really poor play skills because they are constantly entertained or on Ipads and don't know how to entertain themselves.

YABU. It's a 1 year old baby. You could spend an hour there. It won't hurt you. Id understand if your DS birthday was on the same day, but not the same week.

If I were your friend I'd probably be a little upset that you couldn't spare half an hour to drop by for my baby's 1st Birthday, unless you live a fair distance away or are having your child's party the same day. If you think you and your children will not enjoy it then you can keep it to a quick visit as you have a birthday of your own to celebrate.

But it is irrelevant if lots of people enjoy these sort of parties or if you can do a fun party without entertainment. OP's kids hated the last one. My two have complained they have been bored and who can blame them, host playing X box, hostess entertaining adults, kids fighting over toys. Don't go, it is your DS's own birthday, what a punishment, his birthday spent at someone else's party he'll hate.

But it would be nice if you popped in without the kids for a cup of tea and to hand over a card.