2 year old left at party

[PissPotPourri]

So, we hosted dc2s 3rd birthday party in a hall today. It was bigger that anticipated with about 30 children there (I'm on prosecco now).
Anyway, as parents turned up I was offering hot drinks, and one mum said, "thanks but don't worry, I'm not staying. I need to go shopping. That's OK isn't it?" Her dd is a few months younger than my DC so only 2. I was so taken aback I simply asked if she would be alright, and her mum said she would be. I asked if she knew any of the other parents (I don't know this girl) and her mum said she knew a couple of mums there who work at the nursery where her dd and my dc go. I asked if they knew to keep an eye on her, and she looked a bit amused and went to speak to them.
Dh and I tried to keep an eye on the girl through the party but we were very busy. And now I'm resenting that if something had happened to her i would have felt (been?) responsible. AIBU to believe that a two year old is FAR to young to be left unaccompanied at a party, especially when she doesn't know the hosting parents? My friend reckons we were used as a couple of hours of free child care... I just feel annoyed at the presumption and upset for her dd who did look a bit lost and alone.

Depends on the child.
Dd1 I stayed until she was reception.
Dd2 didn't want me to stay by the time she was 2yo. She'd march in saying "I can go by myself."
Ds is 9yo and would still want me to stay.

I did leave dd2 occasionally at 2yo, but only with parents I knew well, and had agreed with them, and I wasn't far away.

At the same time there may be a specific reason. I have a friend who unexpectedly (to others) left her dd at a party when most people weren't leaving them. I knew (because she'd asked me to keep an eye open) that it was an anniversary of her ds' stillbirth. She didn't like to tell people and make a fuss, but she really couldn't cope with a birthday, particularly of a boy, on that day. As far as most people saw, she rushed in, said "Dd's here, I'll be back at the end" and dashed out again.

Wow!! Didn't leave my DD at parties alone til she was almost year 2 at school!!

Yikes, two is way too soon.

YANBU. She reallt did not ask you, she told! It is totally understandable you were flustered.

Had you been a meanie, like me (not really) you would have got her number, let her leave and then called her back saying her dd was unhappy! No, I wouldn't really have done that, but would have felt like doing it!

She was rude and irresponsible.

Lola bigger than anticipated because in DC's nursery there move up a class at 3yo. Dc therefore has friends in the class above who have already moved up, and friends in the class they are leaving. I invited all the ones that get mentioned and talked about at home expecting that some wouldn't be able to make it. All bar two could come! Also, many came with siblings for whom I hadn't accounted.

Bloody hell thats wound me up! I've never experienced this but no way would I leave dd just turned 3 alone at a party. Never mind her feeling scared and alone, it's such a massive pisstake.

I can't believe parents actually do this.

the 5 year old was suppose to be 'watching' him.... Unbelievably irresponsible parenting!

Y2 is when "drop and leave" started here - 7th birthday parties.

strong tea it's really really wind me up too. I keep thinking of skill the things I SHOULD have said.
I'm tempted to say something if i see her at nursery but I don't really think it will achieve much now. Horses and gates etc