To be upset over my son's birthday party?

[LongLiveTheChief]

So I sent invitations out to everyone in my son's class for his 5th birthday party. 11-2pm with superhero fancy dress. Obviously there will be food etc and I wrote on there that parents were welcome to leave their child and collect later if they wanted too.

Invitations went to the whole class as we've hired a big hall and bouncy castle so thought it was easier than trying to ask a 5 year old who his friends are as they seems to change every day.

Today in the playground I hear 3/4 mothers having a bit of a moan about the party. It's too long for their age, 3 hours, it's a Sunday and over lunch time.

AIBU to think maybe it would have been nice for them to have talked about this away from the school playground? They don't know who I am as I tend to keep myself to myself, I'm not in any cliques so overhearing this was a little hurtful. After all, my son would probably love their child to come and it would be costing us a couple of £ per child to feed and entertain for 3 hours.

I felt like saying something but I felt quite upset so didn't want it to come out wrong. I'm very sensitive person who suffers very badly with social anxiety but I just can't stop thinking about what they said and now I feel quite sad.

None of them have now text to say their child can't come but I'm pretty sure they won't be turning up!

AIBU to be upset?

I am of the opinion that you should be grateful that your child gets invited. I have been to 3 and even 4 hour parties, one was 5 hrs. Superhero parties, princess parties any kind of party. Parties in fancy reataurants and a parties at home and in the park.
Without fail my son has enjoyed every single one and as a parent I just feel fortunate that he gets an invite.
Your party sounds lovely, people that whine over other peoples arrangements are total BORES.

Thank goodness my children are grown up. When they (and I) were small parties were held at home, 10 children at the most, usually on Saturday, 3.30/4.00 to 6.30, home-made birthday cake. NO parents stayed. You would have a list of party games to play...Pass the Parcel, Musical Chairs, Musical Statues etc.
And in those days we didn't talk about 'family time' or 'me time'. There was just 'time'.

With a bouncy castle you'll be struggling to peel them off it. They'll have a real laugh. And you absolutely won't be going on it yourself. Will you?

I wouldn't leave a child's party early or turn up late as I wouldn't think it polite, so maybe make it clear that that is fine? I find most children's parties round here have very specific drop off and pick up times.

Your party sounds fab, my DD would love it, 3 hours over that time is perfect on a Sunday I think, I hate late parties on a Sunday because then she is wound up, doesn't sleep properly & tired & crabby at school the next day. The kids will love it, I did a similar type party when my DD turned 4 - we had a joint party with 2 other friends, all we did was bouncy castle, small soft play and tattoos and face painting, food was lunch bags with a sandwich, cheese, crisps and a yogurt. We also did sandwiches for the parents - tbh everyone stayed with their children apart from one mum (which everyone then thought was totally irresponsible). We also supplied tea, coffee & biscuits for the parents - party was for 2 hours but lasted 3, the kids had a blast. Enjoy yours. If you haven't had RSVP's make sure to chase them up!

2 hours is long for you and for them. Otherwise YANBU

If you're dropping off 2 hours is annoying - at least around here you can factor in most people driving 5 or 6 or more miles each way to drop off, which barely seems worth it for 2 hours...

If you stay do you bring siblings? That's a whole other nightmare...

What ShesAStar said,
It's probably only one person moaning and the others just making noises she wants to hear.
Hope DS has a fantastic time.

I think 3 hours is too long. Here parties seem to be 1.5-2h which seems plenty long for 5yo's.

If I'm being honest 3 hours on a Sunday might make me privately complain! It would be ok if I could drop off but I wouldn't leave a 5yo in a hall they are not familiar with because (a) they might struggle to find the toilet if they needed it/find someone to ask or (b) just decide to wander off outside and no one would notice they were gone. I would drop off at a party at a classmates house no problem or maybe a soft play they were familiar with if it was shut to the public but not in a church/village hall.

We would still come so I suspect these women's dc will too ( because the dc will love it) but it's ok to have a whinge about your Sunday being overtaken too (although they were a bit careless to do it at school where you could overhear!)

1bighappyfamily maybe you can show your kids how to open a packet of crisps?

My son had fairly serious food allergies, and we taught him (before he could even speak) to know what he couldn't have, and how to indicate that. Dump and run parties are the best. Two hours peace. Who would argue with that?!

lndnmummy sums it up perfectly, your should be grateful your child has an invite, it's not exactly 6pm-midnight! Ffs some mums are moany old bags, I'm probably one of them but if my child gets a party invite its a result, fed and entertained win win.

I have now kitkats although it has resulted In a couple of "kitchen covered in Pom bear" moments

I've also told her if she wants water she needs to step up and ask for it. She's a confident wee thing - but she is only 4!

They would moan if their kid wasn't invited and they moan when they are. Three hours without a five year old feeding, watering and entertaining them, sounds like heaven! Screw them. They can always not come/leave early. Ungrateful idiots.

Yanbu. Loads of people won't reply and a few won't turn up (experience from 5 DC).

3 hours is a bit long though usually it is 1.5 or 2 at the most. Many parents won't leave a 5 year old yet and may have siblings and no childcare.

However they shoukd reply and not bitch! I hope all the children come and your DC has a great party.