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AIBU?

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Original poster

Child's party - paying for adults WWYD?

111 replies

partypartypartyparty · 01/03/2019 11:21

For my DD 8th birthday she wants to go to a waterpark near us with a swimming pool and lots of different slides. She is inviting about 10 friends, mix of boys and girls. The waterpark does a party package and it includes 2 free adult entries to supervise the children so that will be me and my DH. If any additional adults are attending it costs £15 for entry for them and £5 if they just want to spectate. My issue is whether parents would be expecting to attend?

We are both happy to supervise all the children and this is what I had planned to do, however when I was sorting the invites I wasn't sure if parents would be comfortable with this because it is a waterpark? I would be fine with DD being supervised by other parents at a waterpark but she is a very sensible child.

My other issue is if parents do want to attend whether they would expect to be paid for. We are already stretched to the limit on our budget for the party so really don't think we could pay for them, however I don't know whether this would seem cheeky saying this on the invite.

What does everyone think?

OP posts:
ASundayWellSpent · 01/03/2019 13:03

We did something similar but it was for a 4th birthday so a lot younger children. We said that we would pay for each child and one accompanying adult, that extra adults or siblings were welcome to pay for themselves and that we could not accept unsupervised children as we didn't know their swimming ability etc.

19lottie82 · 01/03/2019 13:03

My local pool wouldn’t let you take that many kids in with only 2 adults. It might be worth checking the pools policy.

Hollowvictory · 01/03/2019 13:06

Are they all confident swimmers?
No way would I take this on, they all dissipate to different parts if the water park how on earth are you goi to supervise them?
Will the park let you in with 2 adults and multiple children?

Reallyevilmuffin · 01/03/2019 13:10

I assume this is the type of waterpark that has no swimming and just wet play if they're happy with a 10/2 ratio? If so fine to state and make them pay. Otherwise it's mental to only have 2 adults.

SparkyBlue · 01/03/2019 13:10

You have to think about the fact they will be over excited and hyped up and likely to want to show off with their friends. I like to think I have a relaxed approach to parenting but I wouldn't be comfortable with the ratio you have.

MakeItAmazing · 01/03/2019 13:29

This will probably resolve itself because some of the kids won't be allowed to go. Two adults supervising that many children is utterly ridiculous. Lifeguards might be there but no it's still a big ask. No way would I let you have my child at your party I wouldn't trust you to keep an eye on them after all you don't love them like you love your own.

BrokenWing · 01/03/2019 13:31

They are only 8 and with swimming/slides and the probability they could be in different places in the park at times the parents will either want to come to make sure their child is responsibly supervised or wont send their child as they are too young for the supervision you are suggesting.

Shellery · 01/03/2019 13:33

I would be thinking hard about whether to accept such a party invite if it was my DC invited.

Even if I attended, I wouldn't like the responsibility by default to take care of all the kids. If anything bad should happen, I would feel like I should have done more/people would think I was only watching my own DC and didn't care about any of the others. Is there deep water? Will the kids be supervised also by a dedicated party lifeguard there? How could you keep the kids contained in a group? How big is the place? How would you see all the kids all of the time? How can you be sure they wouldn't wander off/be approached by someone/get lost? I have 3DCs and when at a swimming pool I literally don't take my eyes off them, I keep them together, there is never a 10 seconds period goes by where I haven't accounted with my own eyes for each and every one, it's exhausting.

BrokenWing · 01/03/2019 13:34

I would suggest you ask for volunteers and pay for another 2-3 parents to swim to provide adequate supervision and anyone else can pay for themselves if they wish to come. Also need to discuss with the other parents how you are going to supervise as in a waterpark how to do expect everyone to even recognise your dd's school friends from the masses of other 8 years olds in the water?

Smileymoon · 01/03/2019 13:45

I wouldn't let my 8 year old go. If one adult has to accompany a child to the toilet and some of the children are swimming and some are using slides or other water equipment how is the remaining adult going to safely supervise all of them? Our local pool insists on one adult to each child which is a bit much for much safer. Kids slip under the water all the time. Don't say you have supervision covered on the invites. You don't. I'm sure some adults will want to stay. You should ask.

Jux · 01/03/2019 15:39

Fewer kids if only you and dh supervising.

dreamingofsun · 01/03/2019 15:47

so do we know what sort of waterpark this is yet? we used to do this in the local swimming pool with a range of blow up obstacles etc, hence my comment about them being lifeguards there already.

to be honest , if you are going to do this properly then you shouldnt just be asking for volunteers. you need to check that people are strong swimmers who can rescue anyone in difficulty, they can see properly without glasses or have prescription goggles.

dreamingofsun · 01/03/2019 15:48

are they boys or girls, will you need supervisors for both for toilet trips/changing rooms.

Original poster
partypartypartyparty · 01/03/2019 17:02

Just to answer a few questions.

The children will all be 8/9. (I was meant to say 9th birthday - sorry!) Not that one year really makes much difference.

The water park has a ratio of one adult to five children for over 8s, hence why that is what is included in the price. There are lots of life guards at the venue, however they are not supervising our children specifically.

The water park is more slides than an actual swimming pool. All the children will be able to touch the bottom. All the children invited are actually confident swimmers (they are in the same swimming class as DD).

After reading all the feedback from everyone I think we are going to tell DD she can only invite 7 friends if she wants this type of party. That means there will be a ratio of 1 adult to 4 children in the water. With the money that is freed up from less children we will be able to afford to pay for every child to have one adult in to spectate at £5, however if they actually want to go in the water/slides they will have to pay themselves, or for additional adults to spectate. Spectating means you can go up to the top/bottom of slides and anywhere in the pool complex as long as you don't actually go on anything.

OP posts:
Original poster
partypartypartyparty · 01/03/2019 19:16

And also they do not need to stay if they do not wish to.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 01/03/2019 19:35

I think the layout as described in the latest post changes everything. Many of the responses above were assuming a centre parcs type massive water park with lots of pools.

SnowyDaze · 01/03/2019 19:42

You need additional adults to supervise!! 2 adults looking after 11 children would be a challenge on dry land...it seems irresponsible at a water park.

Fullofregrets33 · 02/03/2019 08:18

I wouldn't let my 8 year old go to a waterpark without me. I don't know where you are but in the UK recently we recently had in the news a child who died at a swimming party in a private pool. You are taking on so much responsibility looking after other kids in what is potentionally a dangerous situation. You have no idea what each child's swimming ability is.

Im not saying each parent should be paid for, but i think that you should be paying for at least 2 more adults so that there are 4 adults assigned 2 children each who will basically never take their eyes off them.

Pimmsypimms · 02/03/2019 08:25

A little off topic, but seriously, they charge you £5 to sit and watch? With no tea or coffee included? That's bloody extortion!!!

NewPapaGuinea · 02/03/2019 08:28

I’d probably go for an adult for every 4 children, so ask for 2 extra volunteers that you pay for. Anyone on top of this pay for themselves.

Whereareyouspot · 02/03/2019 08:32

That sounds better ratios OP

BlueMerchant · 02/03/2019 08:39

No way I'd want to be responsible for other people's kids in a water park even if they are confident swimmers. I really hope my two don't have this idea for their Birthdays!
The fewer kids the better.

Weebitawks · 02/03/2019 08:45

My DS is just about to turn 8. Despite having lessons for years, he is not at all a strong swimmer and needs constant supervision (he has this habit of swimming along fine and then just sinking)

I think as other posters have suggested, put it on the invitation about the coats etc and maybe mention how many children will be there so parents can may an informed decision as they'll know the swimming capabilities of their child.

BlueSkiesLies · 02/03/2019 08:45

If they are all in the same swim class, and know this water park place well - I would think the parents can make an informed choice.

1-4 ratio does sound better though.

HotpotLawyer · 02/03/2019 08:49

I think you have come to a good solution OP.

Mine couldn’t swim until 9, and it doesn’t take much in the excitement for one to smash into another’s head on the slide / skid and bang head etc.

Have a lovely party!