To provide parents some food at kids party

[nurseynursery]

So son is 6 tomorrow, party at church hall, parents still stay, 11am to 1pm, I've bought some sandwiches, crisps and cupcakes and will also provide tea, coffee and soft drinks for parent. My husband thinks this is ridiculous and is quite annoyed, I thought it was a nice thing to do and any leftovers we can eat tomorrow afternoon as I certainly won't be cooking! Is it so unusual? I don't want to look like I'm trying to out do other parents!

We always provide for parents too. Unless there's a lot of party food already. We do work in catering though so that might be why. No other party I've been to has catered for parents though. I think it's a lovely idea

I always did when the DC were small enough that parents stayed and it was in a hall. Different at soft play where they have a cafe - that said I alway offer a slice of cake!

Your husband is unreasonably tight fisted.

My DC are at the age now where parents drop and run but when they were younger I always provided at a minimum tea/coffee/water and snacky bits. It's bad enough standing in a draughty church hall with 30 screaming kids, the least I could do was provide sustenance

Sounds normal to me. If parents are staying providing some food and drink is nice - yes, technically it is not a meal time but people still appreciate it.

If it is a party where we are providing the food, we have a few things for the parents (e.g. some crisps, a couple of those tubs with flapjacks/brownies) and some drinks.

I am doing a party today
About 40 kids coming!! All little
I'm just doing tea coffee and biscuits for parents. Party is at 3 o clock
Then I'll shove remains of buffet out to finish off if they want it

I was always grateful when a few snacks were provided for parents. I do the same at my DC’s birthday parties.

You’re hosting the party so you do it how you like. Especially If you’re the one who’s done all the planning. So unless he’s been heavily involved rather than just offering unsolicited moaning from the sidelines, then he needs to wind his neck in.

If parents are expected to remain there, yes of course.

We will be providing food and drinks for parents at DS’ party in two weeks

YANBU! We always provide food & drinks for parents.

If parents are staying then a drink and a small snack like a biscuit or sandwich would be the minimum I'd provide. Never had to do this though, parents have always dropped and ran at all DD's parties. Shall wait and see if parents stay for DS's 5th birthday next month.

In my experience if it's a family party (so effectively like a get-together) where some of the adults might not even have kids there would be food for everyone. This tends to be when it's a birthday for someone below school age so the 'party' is more for the adults with a bit of random play equipment or entertainment thrown in for the kids.

If it's a 'normal' primary class party aimed at children I'd not expect food for adults but would expect to be able to grab the odd sausage roll or finish off the leftover sandwiches.

I dont think there's a right answer really.

Is your husband usually so weird and unreasonable? Totally normal what you're doing at this age OP as usually parents will stay.

Over lunchtime, that’s absolutely reasonable, though a nice bonus rather than expected. We did a late morning toddler party recently and offered tea/coffee/biscuits on arrival and then birthday cake, but when we’ve done lunchtime parties, we’ve basically done an age appropriate buffet with enough for everyone.

Times have changed since my children had birthday parties! I’ve never hosted one where parents stayed, I didn’t bother with parties until they went to pre school nursery ( at age 3 or 4) when they were used to being left so parents did not expect to stay.

However, if I was expecting parents to stay, then I would provide food and drink, probably homemade cakes - as I am a “feeder” and ply my visitors with homemade goodies!

If parents are staying i think it's rude not to provide anuthing, even if it's jusy hot drinks and fancy biscuits

I provide a few sandwiches, crisps and party rings for parents plus tea, coffee and champagne. Because hanging around in a hall sucks and if I can bring a smile to a parent then why bloody not.

I provided drinks for parents. No food though.
I wouldn’t expect parents to stay at a 6yo party though. Reception they stayed. Yr1 and above absolutely not.

We always did when the kids were small and parents stayed. Although at 6, I don’t think any did stay.

Absolutely provide food and drinks for the parents. We always have done, it's polite, especially in a hall type set up easy to do.

I want the parents to have a good experience so that they're more likely to bring their child to another party the following year!

I think it’s nice; most parties I’ve been to the parents pick at the leftovers which is fine but really nice when something is provided

I used to love it when snacks or food were provided for the parents!

He's 'quite annoyed' that you're providing a few snacks and drinks... Is he really tight with money?