Two parties, one day

[onecurrantbun1]

My DD1 is 5 and in reception class at school. We have RSVPed to an invitation from an old nursery friend from 4-6pm in a village hall. She will be going to this party for the duration as she has made a commitment.

She has since been invited to a party in a local play centre from 3-5pm on the same day. Obviously she will have to decline the invitation which is from her best school friend.

Having been to parties at the play centre before I know the running order is generally free play (not exclusive hire) for the first hour. WIBU to take her at 3pm (I will pay her entry fee) and let her have an hour running about with her school chums before leaving for the original party?

Logically it makes sense and she won't be taking a "slot" from a child who could attend the whole lot. I am good friends with the mum and will obviously run it by her if it's not going to be considered entitled and rude.

I think it's absolutely fine but I personally wouldn't bother as it sounds exhausting and a lot of schlepping about to me!

I think it sounds like a good compromise

I see your logic but personally I wouldn't
a) tiring
b) you would need to leave earlier to allow travel
c) your DD or the party child, or others may wonder / get upset when you need to leave early

Sounds like a good compromise. My DD (4) had two parties overlap in the summer and the one we accepted second was her closer friend. We left one early and got to the other one late.

It's a social minefield!

Well you won't get a full hour at the first one and it might be a bit awkward but if the mum agrees then why not? It shows that you don't let people down (the original party) but also that your DD wants to go to the first one.

Just to clarify - venues are approx 5 mins apart so she would have very nearly an hour at the first one. Going by parties I've attended before I think it should coincide with the party kids going upstairs for their food and disco, so a bit of a natural break in proceedings anyway.

Parties are a bit of a rarity amongst our circle - these are only the second and third this academic year, so I don't mind a bit of juggling.

What party were you invited to first?

I'm not sure it requires UN level diplomacy.

An hour and a half at one and the same at the next if you really must attend both.