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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Argh children's party

44 replies

scorpiogirly · 01/06/2022 19:15

My daughter will be 4 in July and we have organised a party for her on the 9th July, booked a hall and entertainer for 2 hours.

It was a nightmare finding a hall and an entertainer at what appears to be very short notice in the party world.

I picked my daughter up from nursery yesterday and she had been goben am invited to a party for one of her friends which is on the same day.

My first reaction was to panic. I have tried to rearrange the hall but the only date they have available is the 9th. No other halls available as I scoured the area at the time.

There is no overlap, friends party is 11-1 and my daughter's party is 2-4 with plenty of time to get between venues.

I was worried that parents would either go to one or the other. Is it usual that they go to both in this situation?

OP posts:
Bundlesofchocforme · 01/06/2022 19:17

I think 2 parties in one day would be a lot for children of that age. What about contacting the other parents and asking if they were interested in a joint party…everyone wins then

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 01/06/2022 19:20

Two in one day would probably be too much for most people is the invite list is the same and as the other party had their invites out first I think it’s down to you to move yours or ask if you can join up. Sorry OP.

MargaretThursday · 01/06/2022 19:26

I would have taken dd1 and dd2 to two parties in a day at that age, but not ds. He struggled with the noise and people for 2 hours anyway, so would never have managed two parties.

Oysterbabe · 01/06/2022 19:29

I'd definitely have gone to both.

Kite22 · 01/06/2022 19:31

Big parties lie that are often overwhelming for 3 and 4 yr olds (and 5 and 6 yr olds in some cases). I don't think many parents would want to do both. Even setting aside they might have other things to do for themselves or older siblings on the day.

XelaM · 01/06/2022 19:31

I'd go to both parties but I LOVE kids parties 🎉 🎈 😆

AngelinaFangelina · 01/06/2022 19:32

At that age my two probably would have struggled with both. DD maybe could have managed but DS wouldn't.
I think I'd try and rearrange. I understand the difficulty though -can you do a belated one further on in the year and just have something small with family on her actual birthday?

Peccary · 01/06/2022 19:32

I would and am fully expecting to do do, DD's in a 2 class intake divided by birthday, there are a lot of July/August birthdays

Myleakycauldron · 01/06/2022 19:33

We went to two 4th birthday parties on the same day a couple of weeks ago (10 minutes between them and no overlap on time) and have a similar situation at the end of this month. Other parents from the preschool did the same. I think it will be fine!

Beggingforsleep · 01/06/2022 19:33

We’ve done two in a day a few times. My DD is 4 but it’s 5th birthday parties. It’s fine.

But the idea of combining parties is a good one if you know the parents well enough.

whoruntheworldgirls · 01/06/2022 19:34

I'd go to both, my daughter would consider that the best day ever 😂

AngelinaFangelina · 01/06/2022 19:34

Plus I can't think of many parents who would welcome 4 hours of party with travel in-between. I'd have reached my polite chat maximum by that point (but I'm a miserable sod!)

DontLookBackInAnger1 · 01/06/2022 19:34

It depends what the parties were. Two hall parties, close to home, maybe.

But I won't lie, it'll be a bit weird as presumably will be all the same kids.

I feel for you, organising kids parties are a nightmare and this sounds a bit stressful.

I'd cancel probably, explain the situation and ask if they will give you vouchers for next year. Or move it to a few weeks later.

girlmom21 · 01/06/2022 19:35

I'd go to both as long as it wasn't like swimming then trampolining or something.

Marmite27 · 01/06/2022 19:41

We’ve done 3 parties in a day before. We had to decline the 4th.

the kids were knackered after though!

MuchoMistrust · 01/06/2022 19:45

My kids would absolutely have gone to both

That would have been their dream day!

Ihatemyroad · 01/06/2022 20:05

We had this situation a couple of weeks ago, first party was 11.30-1 and second party was 2.30-4.30, both parties were for 5th birthdays, we went to both. No overlap so not a problem, just a busy day and fingers crossed they’d be tired and go to bed earlier 😊

bellamountain · 01/06/2022 20:11

Oh no what a pain! It is do-able attending two parties on the same day but some kids do find it overwhelming, my eldest certainly did. Is it over a weekend? Is it possible to hold an entirely different kind of party on the day before or after? So no hall or entertainer but a soft play? Local sports clubs run kids parties too.

Myleakycauldron · 01/06/2022 20:32

AngelinaFangelina · 01/06/2022 19:34

Plus I can't think of many parents who would welcome 4 hours of party with travel in-between. I'd have reached my polite chat maximum by that point (but I'm a miserable sod!)

Oh me too after a couple of hours. Me and my DH swapped over after the first party!

Kitkatcatflap · 02/06/2022 05:29

I'd go to both. My kids loved parties at that age.

HalloHello · 02/06/2022 05:34

I'd definitely do both too, my daughter would love that! Sure she'd be shattered after but it's a nice treat!

InChocolateWeTrust · 02/06/2022 05:35

At 4 it would have been too much for my kids. Tbh any big parties werent something my kids enjoyed loads at that age, eldest in particular just got overwhelmed, was scared of entertainers and clung to me a lot (as did many others at the parties we went to).

Mine far preferred at home party teas for 5 or 6 kids at that age so I definitely wouldnt have done both.

RustyShackleford3 · 02/06/2022 05:36

I'd go to both but then my kids love parties and aren't overwhelmed by noise and excitement. That's not the case for all kids. I know some kids who would probably find that too much, so their parents would probably only go to one.

bellebeautifu1 · 02/06/2022 06:52

It wont necessairly mean all the other kids goes to the other DC's, your time might suit them better or vice versa.

I organised a joint bday party once for my DD and another girl, I knew the mother reasonably well though, and it was a great success. We were single mums so it meant there was two of us to run the party and we split the costGrin plus two happy kids with all their friends there. A win-win! (although we had two cakes!)

Waxonwaxoff0 · 02/06/2022 06:54

I'd go to both. DS gets to play with his friends all day, I can chill with a coffee. Perfect.

My child never seemed to get tired though even at 4.

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