What do I do at my child’s party?

[Wearinggrinchpyjamasinjune]

Sounds ridiculous I know…I’m slightly socially anxious (manage to have friends, no idea how 🤣) but I’m not great at hosting etc and tend to avoid it.
My dc wants a proper party this year..they turn 4, previously we’ve had a small friends group or family.
We’re doing it in a big soft play/play place. We’ve been to many others parties before but now it’s our turn.
Its all my idea of hell and I’d almost rather poke my eyes out, but it’s to make dc happy so I know I have to get on with it.
Thankfully, all will be ready and done for us when we arrive, so that takes the stress away…but..what do we do? There’s no real hosting as such? Also no drinks to pass round or alcohol..do parents stand around chatting/watching the kids? As the hosts of it, what do we do?
I know it’s pathetic but really very hard for me

Love this.
I went to one once, a nursery party so I only knew parents by sight.
Asked at the desk where "Riley's party" was, headed over to the room, put my present down, started chatting to some parents. Whole group were so unfriendly and eventually someone came up to me and asked me how I knew Ryan. At the same moment, I saw a familiar parent/child heading into a different party room.
I grabbed my child, my present and ran!

Oh that brings back memories. One of the first parties my adopted DD was invited to was soft play when she was just 3. She was behind in speech with poor motor skills. I needed to helicopter around the soft play keeping an eye, whilst all the other parents sat back and chatted.

I’ve never heard of any coffee shop doing a cardboard carafe of coffee? We run a couple of cafes and I’m not aware of any competitors in our area doing that, we certainly don’t! So maybe don’t rely on that plan. Soft drinks for adults is fine :)

At that age there will always be a kid who is thirsty, needs the loo, has spilled something, looks sad, is doing something dangerous (heading out of the unlockable door towards the road was a popular one at one party). There’s presents to bag up and coats to pile up. Getting food ready takes a while (unless this is all done for you). Cutting the cake and distributing/wrapping up to go is quite a task. And yes if there is none of that to do, have a cuppa and a chat!

Dont panic. Ive found that other parents are always more than happy to help, pouring out squash, giving out food, making sure people kids are seated. So dont be afraid to ask for help from your fellow school parents. Helps you build relationships too. Have a great time at the party 🥳

Make sure there's a bottle of your favourite wine in the fridge for when you get home. Just put your head down and get through it and give yourself a big pat on the back afterwards. Make sure DP/DH does his share. If you have other kids consider if they need to be there or would be better off with a grandparent etc elsewhere.

Thanks so much everyone 🙏
So the only thing I may need to concentrate on in advance in bringing some snacks for the adults for an adult table, any easy ideas? I thought maybe a selection of different bowls of crisps, bread sticks/cheese straws, nice biscuits, a couple of fruit platters and drinks 🤷🏻‍♀️

Small talk but generally fussing around, it's amazing how fast two hours goes. No-one will expect you to make much conversation, everyone will be busy keeping and eye on hot sweaty kids! Good luck! Don't take too much extra food or drink it just gets in the way would be my advice

I honestly wouldn't bother with the fruit platters for the adults. Some crisps and biscuits are fine.

(Apols for the derail OP). Golden I'm attaching a pic, but in case you can't see it, if you go on Pret's page you can see what I mean. It's called the Coffee Box.** Most of the places near me provide something similar. Maybe it could be a new menu option for you!

OP, don't stress about the parents. We all know we are not going there to be fed! I

Wow @StellaLaBella that’s amazing. I have woken up hungover and there’s a pret on the way to my meeting…..

Kids parties are the easiest for people like us OP. It's chaos, you'll be busy, no one will expect more than some friendly basics:

'Hello! Welcome! Birthday child is over there, shoes go here- have a great time!'

Ask the people who work there to round people up for cake.

Then

'Thank you so much for coming! Here's your party bag. See you at school! Say thank you, birthday child.'