To have bought dh to kids party

[Cleo2628]

Feel really awkward now.
6th birthday party at a house last weekend (very large house & garden so not cramped) invitation said drop off or stay but host invited all 3 of my children ages 6, just turned 4 & 1. Brought DH along as 1 year old can be a terror and one of the party activities needed 1:1 adult supervision, particularly for the 4 year old.

other guests there were a mixture of drop offs or had 1 parent (mum) stay. One solo dad. But all were 5/6 year olds with no siblings.

was it odd we came with DH? I feel extra awkward as I’ve text host today thank you etc and she hasn’t replied! But she is a bad texter!

I'd say you're overthinking this, and it was fine.

Totally fine considering the ages of your children, I really wouldn't worry about it.

I was thinking that, always a couple of dads at the parties here.

Both parents at parties is really standard in my circles,. especially when they also have babies. It's good for dads to show up too.

What? If I was the host I wouldn't have even noticed unless someone brought all four grandparents or something silly

You're odd! Three children probably need two parents to supervise, better that than an unruly 1 year old ruining the fun for everyone else

Same here the men all have a good chat with everyone especially if they never make the school run due to work etc

I don't like it when both parents come to kids parties, some do, and it is annoying for me because I am too busy to make conversation with both parents, and it is not a family day out! It is a children's party only one parent is necessary.

But in your case, with three children of that age, I would have been grateful that you were so considerate and been happy that you took the lead. Why did she invite all of your children? Please tell me you didn't invite your other kids along?

If she hasn't replied it is because she is busy/tired/her kids are using her phone, certainly not for this reason op, assuming the host invited all of you!

A few bizarre responses on here, OP. Take no note of them.

Absolutely nothing wrong with both parents going. My 6 yr old has been to constant kid parties in the last year and had one himself last month - ALWAYS a nice mixture of Mums, Dads, both parents, and occasionally the grandparents have brought them.

I have no idea why anyone would have a problem with any scenario, tbh. Kid parties are loud and chaotic - the more adults on hand to help is always beneficial!

My son had a lovely party in the church hall years ago I encouraged parents to stay and had a table set up with food and my lovely mil made them drinks everyone socialised the kids had a ball and it was a fun day. I can’t remember if both parents of kids came now. I remember there were some children whose parents both came to things, I stayed at parties for my youngest for years as he had additional needs and asthma so required me to be there, I always checked with hosts, thankfully everyone was happy for me to stay, and quite a few parties we all had a table and could chat whilst the kids had fun I do miss those days now they are teens and grumpy

I don't like it when both parents come to kids parties, some do, and it is annoying for me because I am too busy to make conversation with both parents, and it is not a family day out! It is a children's party only one parent is necessary.

Seriously? I don't think anyone is expecting you to make conversation with every single adult at a kids party? Sounds like an excuse to me!

I'm with others who think it's actually better there being 2 parents there if they've got 3 kids under 6!

She was offering drop and dash which would have been a right pain for her to supervise all three of yours, plus however many others. So she should be happy you came with an extra pair of hands rather than dumping them on her! Some parents always come to stuff together, some never do. You're both perfectly entitled to be there!

@Greytulips I am one of those women you speak of who does most things with my partner.

I always feel a bit more comfortable if he is by my side (and vice versa!), I love being in his company and enjoy socialising more if he's with me. I can get a bit nervous if I'm stood on my own but if we're together then we can at least talk to each other!

But judge away if you think I'm sad or "odd". I feel lucky to be with someone who I love spending time with 😊

Nothing wrong with that in my book. Our current never-ending party circuit always includes a few mum & dad combos (not at the drop & run stage yet), DD’s recent shindig attracted 6 or 7 sets and it was nice to see everyone. If anything, I feel less obliged to have to make conversation with parents if they come as a couple, rather than someone stood on their own.

It's totally fine OP _ I was always quite an open door person when hosting kids parties and plenty of times both parents came - also in my world its normal for parents of both sexes to be social/ get to know other parents - the adults were told they could stay.

On mumsnet people seem super uptight about kids parties and rules like this -

Would not have occurred to me as an issue. I think it's really nice when both partners come, mine often does and so do plenty of other families that I see at the rounds of school parties.

Only issue could be with space if the house is small, having said that, was at a cramped kids house party & everyone looked like they were having a good time.

We just had DD's party in the village hall - lots of dads there actually, some were on their own but in some cases both parents stayed, or one grandad came along with the mum.

It's only reflecting back now that I'm aware of this though - at the time I was so busy and it was so hectic I didn't really have time to think about it! It's absolutely fine OP!

Don't be miserable

They literally have three children and all were invited, why wouldn't he be there?

I think it was perfectly fine and honestly the right thing to do. You had all of your 3 children there and 2 of you to help supervise. It will have also ensured you DC had a good time and felt secure.
I held loads of kids parties when mine were young and was always grateful for extra adult help. Loads of dad’s came.
You sound like a lovely family, I don’t understand the ‘piss take’ comment at all. Keep doing what you’re doing OP and ignore the snidey comments.

I can't imagine even having an opinion on this. I'm amazed anyone cares !

So if the a child or children's names on the invitation why would it be assumed that only the mum would show up?

I know a child having 2 parents is rare these days but the children are invited not just the mum so for me however the children's parents want to do it is up to them

I wouldn't have thought anything of it! Child has two parents and it didn't state that only one parent could attend?

Pretty much all the 6th birthday parties I've been to this year have had both parents turn up for about half the kids there. I\m always surprised that they both want to be there! But the parents are all friends so it's seen as a parent hang out as much as a kids one.

2 adults for 3 children is fine. I'd expect both parents if I invited all 3 kids. Esp. at those ages.
We tend to do both parents if both kids are invited.
If it is parents we know and get on with and if the party is in a paid for location (softplay, trampoline park, etc), usually we take the other child and pay for them to enter. It's kind of the done thing in our group. A lot of people don't like it though.

It's fine. Two parents might be overkill normally, but when you are contributing three children, one of whom is a baby and one of whom will need parental help with the party activity, I actually think two parents was the minimum number you could decently turn up with!