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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Child’s birthday party - accidentally invited the class horror

230 replies

MyToasterHatesMe · 10/09/2022 06:32

My little one has a party today. They’ve just started school and we didn’t want to invite all the kids so party invites were a bit of a grab-bag of nursery friends, kids that he seemed to get on with, parents I chatted to etc. Now we’re a week in I’m getting the feeling that one of the kids is pretty poorly behaved - runs out of class at home time rather than waiting to be called, has tried to pick my (not small!) child up when they were queuing up and carried on when asked not to, hit him repeatedly. Mine seems to like playing with him but says that he suddenly hits, pushes etc. He’s not totally wild and the parents seem on it (I think?) - plus it’s all new being at school and I can imagine that affects behaviour.

Anyway - there’s nothing too structured at the party but if this kid starts hitting / crashing into the food table / being unpleasant - what do I actually do? A parent will be there - how do I politely say that they need to make it stop? Help!

OP posts:
EllieRosesMammy · 10/09/2022 09:13

EarringsandLipstick · 10/09/2022 09:12

And I'm sure the child will read my post and be very upset at being called a shit

You're missing the point, or not reading my posts.

It's having the attitude, to think of a small child as a 'shit', then to actually come on her & write it, that is horrible. It speaks to how you are as a person.

Some kids are shits. My own kids can be shits. It's just the god honest truth.

EarringsandLipstick · 10/09/2022 09:14

If she had been polite I'd of probably said yes,

You said, you didn't help as you are pregnant & helping your own DC.

So now, you didn't help because she was rude? I can't imagine behaving like this. If I could help, I would. I'd have no problem reminding the child to say thank you etc, and asking them to go to their parents but I wouldn't refuse to help or think of them as a shit.

Somethingsnappy · 10/09/2022 09:15

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Have a read of some of the more articulate posts on this thread, particularly the one a couple of posts above yours, by @Ziggysharko. This will help educate you as to why labelling children in an unpleasant way can be very damaging. As for realising that other parents are judging. Perhaps just the ones that are lacking in emotional intelligence.

JoeyThePrawn · 10/09/2022 09:15

Still an unnecessary word to call a child over something so trivial and a one off @EllieRosesMammy

Seriously have a think

HailAdrian · 10/09/2022 09:16

It's having the attitude, to think of a small child as a 'shit', then to actually come on her & write it, that is horrible. It speaks to how you are as a person.

Load of bollocks, some kids are awful to be around. I'd be concerned if a teacher was describing children as 'little shits' but those of us who don't work with children don't have to like them all.

EarringsandLipstick · 10/09/2022 09:17

Some kids are shits. My own kids can be shits.

That's two different statements. One defines a child as being a shit; the other says that occasionally they can be.

I don't agree with describing children as 'shits' regardless.

My own DC can absolutely be rude, unkind, hurtful - but that doesn't lead me to describe them as 'shits' (though I have certainly less than stellar parent moments where I've lost my temper & used intemperate language to / with them)

Porcupineintherough · 10/09/2022 09:17

Why are you "crap at this sort of thing"? They are 4. Are you one of those awful wet parents that bleats "dont do that darling" whilst your child ignores you and runs amok?

You are human and therefore possessed of a spine and a voice. Find both and use your words.

EarringsandLipstick · 10/09/2022 09:17

JoeyThePrawn · 10/09/2022 09:15

Still an unnecessary word to call a child over something so trivial and a one off @EllieRosesMammy

Seriously have a think

Exactly.

EllieRosesMammy · 10/09/2022 09:18

EarringsandLipstick · 10/09/2022 09:14

If she had been polite I'd of probably said yes,

You said, you didn't help as you are pregnant & helping your own DC.

So now, you didn't help because she was rude? I can't imagine behaving like this. If I could help, I would. I'd have no problem reminding the child to say thank you etc, and asking them to go to their parents but I wouldn't refuse to help or think of them as a shit.

Would you rather I'd of told her outright "I'm not helping you because your attitude is dreadful"?

Her dad was there too which is the worst part, so why she was insisting a total stranger do it while he just stood watching is beyond me.

HailAdrian · 10/09/2022 09:18

Some kids are shits. My own kids can be shits. It's just the god honest truth.

Same 😆

Sally090807 · 10/09/2022 09:18

CaptainBeakyandhisband · 10/09/2022 06:49

I’d say it’s entirely possible that he has SEN (diagnosed or undiagnosed) and if so the parents really will be trying to manage his behaviour. In which case you don’t have much to worry about.

That’s right, let’s straight away assume any exuberant 4 year old has SEN

EllieRosesMammy · 10/09/2022 09:22

HailAdrian · 10/09/2022 09:16

It's having the attitude, to think of a small child as a 'shit', then to actually come on her & write it, that is horrible. It speaks to how you are as a person.

Load of bollocks, some kids are awful to be around. I'd be concerned if a teacher was describing children as 'little shits' but those of us who don't work with children don't have to like them all.

Exactly! Personally, being a teacher is my idea of hell. I don't know how they do it.

Acreativeusername · 10/09/2022 09:22

Hmmmm my first thoughts’ what’s the function of this behaviour’ a child that’s is distressed, misunderstood,
struggling to communicate, struggling to understand social rules? After all being on the planet for four years doesn’t give you a great deal of skill in dealing with life especially if you have undiagnosed or diagnosed needs. Maybe likely that this poor family will have many things written by people like OP, many things whispered about them at the school gates…. The child will eventually stop being invited to parties, the little kids will pick up on their parents attempts to persuade their little darlings to play somewhere away from little Johnnie …bottom line…. Statistically there will be at least 2 children in every classroom with Neurodiversity, maybe he’s one of them. How about you ASK his experts ( his parents) how YOU can help HIM manage the party. - discretely asking all parents via text

“hi, thanks for your response that you are coming, please call me or text me if your child needs anything adapted to support them to access this party, such as quiet music, a quiet place to go, an idea of what we will be doing … and let me know if anyone has any allergies. As the children are so small,I'm asking all parents/ carers to stay”

likely your child is going to know the family’s in his class for many years to come,
important you start off on the right foot. I suggest you do a lot more research on invisible disabilities autism, dyslexia, adhd , even if it’s five / ten mins…. Just to begin to appreciate how / why children may run, hit, climb, escape, swear, bite, alongside…. Educating thier peers that they are brave, strong, courageous, to be admired, inspiring, clever, see the world often from a different perspective and can teach many things they didn’t realise they needed to know…. In your case, compassion, to become more open minded and to educate yourself and be grateful that you may likely never have to face the struggles that is likely of this “ little horrors” family. Good luck with the party.

HenBob · 10/09/2022 09:24

Blimey, there's only one thing for it - call the police and report him 😂

Skelligsfeathers · 10/09/2022 09:26

Acreativeusername · 10/09/2022 09:22

Hmmmm my first thoughts’ what’s the function of this behaviour’ a child that’s is distressed, misunderstood,
struggling to communicate, struggling to understand social rules? After all being on the planet for four years doesn’t give you a great deal of skill in dealing with life especially if you have undiagnosed or diagnosed needs. Maybe likely that this poor family will have many things written by people like OP, many things whispered about them at the school gates…. The child will eventually stop being invited to parties, the little kids will pick up on their parents attempts to persuade their little darlings to play somewhere away from little Johnnie …bottom line…. Statistically there will be at least 2 children in every classroom with Neurodiversity, maybe he’s one of them. How about you ASK his experts ( his parents) how YOU can help HIM manage the party. - discretely asking all parents via text

“hi, thanks for your response that you are coming, please call me or text me if your child needs anything adapted to support them to access this party, such as quiet music, a quiet place to go, an idea of what we will be doing … and let me know if anyone has any allergies. As the children are so small,I'm asking all parents/ carers to stay”

likely your child is going to know the family’s in his class for many years to come,
important you start off on the right foot. I suggest you do a lot more research on invisible disabilities autism, dyslexia, adhd , even if it’s five / ten mins…. Just to begin to appreciate how / why children may run, hit, climb, escape, swear, bite, alongside…. Educating thier peers that they are brave, strong, courageous, to be admired, inspiring, clever, see the world often from a different perspective and can teach many things they didn’t realise they needed to know…. In your case, compassion, to become more open minded and to educate yourself and be grateful that you may likely never have to face the struggles that is likely of this “ little horrors” family. Good luck with the party.

This is a lovely idea

HailAdrian · 10/09/2022 09:27

Exactly! Personally, being a teacher is my idea of hell. I don't know how they do it.

Me neither, I gained even more respect for teachers after lockdown too.

Maybe if fewer parents thought everyone should treat their children like royalty and brought their kids up to think the world revolves around them, there would be fewer unbearable kids around. 😉

Oblomov22 · 10/09/2022 09:33

Now that child is invited I would just deal with it. I wouldn't tolerate any bad behaviour and if he did do it I would just say to him don't do that one more warning and I'll be calling your mum to come and pick you up and I would phone her if necessary!

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 10/09/2022 09:37

I hadn't realised that Boris Johnson still went to children's parties.😮

KalvinPhillipsBoots · 10/09/2022 09:38

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Goldbar · 10/09/2022 09:39

HailAdrian · 10/09/2022 09:16

It's having the attitude, to think of a small child as a 'shit', then to actually come on her & write it, that is horrible. It speaks to how you are as a person.

Load of bollocks, some kids are awful to be around. I'd be concerned if a teacher was describing children as 'little shits' but those of us who don't work with children don't have to like them all.

No, but if as parents we interact with other small children who aren't our own and have them in our care sometimes (e.g. playdates, parties, walking them to school, watching them at the playground for their parents sometimes), we do have to treat them appropriately and thinking of them as 'little shits' probably isn't the best place to start.

EllieRosesMammy · 10/09/2022 09:40

HailAdrian · 10/09/2022 09:27

Exactly! Personally, being a teacher is my idea of hell. I don't know how they do it.

Me neither, I gained even more respect for teachers after lockdown too.

Maybe if fewer parents thought everyone should treat their children like royalty and brought their kids up to think the world revolves around them, there would be fewer unbearable kids around. 😉

Fully agree. All the unbearable kids I've met have parents who thinks the sun shines out of their arse and their little darling never does anything wrong 🤦‍♀️

EarringsandLipstick · 10/09/2022 09:42

Would you rather I'd of told her outright "I'm not helping you because your attitude is dreadful"?

No. I think you should have helped her. Or called over the dad.

Not thought of her as a shit and as a result refused to help.

The options you feel you were presented with are ... odd.

EarringsandLipstick · 10/09/2022 09:43

those of us who don't work with children don't have to like them all

Indeed. Not do we have to speak about them as 'little shits'. It's awful and unnecessary.

EarringsandLipstick · 10/09/2022 09:44

we do have to treat them appropriately and thinking of them as 'little shits' probably isn't the best place to start.
💯

NCFT0922 · 10/09/2022 09:44

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