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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if this is a suitable time for a birthday party

41 replies

Lindaful · 15/11/2024 14:55

A 5 year olds birthday party, 3-5 on a Sunday?

It would be fine for us but wondering if it would cause a problem for others being later in the day. There would be food.

OP posts:
Threecraws · 15/11/2024 14:55

Would be fine

sprigatito · 15/11/2024 14:56

It's fine! We've been to lots of parties at that time. Perfect time for a birthday tea as well, I would be delighted not to have to give mine dinner afterwards 😊

Amba1998 · 15/11/2024 14:56

I’d be personally abit miffed at that. I think parties should be in the mornings to give people their days back. The majority we get invited to are 9.30-11.30 and that’s been the normal throughout the years at my child’s pre school and nursery but I guess it’s a one off

AutumnLeaves24 · 15/11/2024 14:57

It would be a great time for us!!

User54614664 · 15/11/2024 14:59

That sounds perfectly normal. Almost all parties we've been to have been afternoon ones. We used to do 3pm parties ourselves but decided to change because it gets dark so early in winter. It feels like small kids have more energy in the morning and there's more chance of getting some fresh air before and after the party if there's still daylight. But obviously not a huge issue for most people

SockQueen · 15/11/2024 15:00

Totally fine. Much prefer afternoon parties!

eddiemairswife · 15/11/2024 15:00

When I (and later on my children) were small birthday parties were always in the afternoon. I don't know why people started having them in the mornings.

LlynTegid · 15/11/2024 15:01

Assuming everyone can walk to and from the party or travel by car, fine. Might be limiting if public transport is needed (outside London anyway).

sprigatito · 15/11/2024 15:01

Amba1998 · 15/11/2024 14:56

I’d be personally abit miffed at that. I think parties should be in the mornings to give people their days back. The majority we get invited to are 9.30-11.30 and that’s been the normal throughout the years at my child’s pre school and nursery but I guess it’s a one off

I can't think of anything worse than a children's party at 9.30 on a weekend 😂 but I am not a morning person and neither were my children.

EmraldSky · 15/11/2024 15:03

Amba1998 · 15/11/2024 14:56

I’d be personally abit miffed at that. I think parties should be in the mornings to give people their days back. The majority we get invited to are 9.30-11.30 and that’s been the normal throughout the years at my child’s pre school and nursery but I guess it’s a one off

who attends a party at 9.30am??????! 2-3pm start is perfect for a sunday

doodleschnoodle · 15/11/2024 15:05

9.30???? E

Sounds good to me, OP! DD1 is 5 and times are starting to get more varied now, from earliest 10-10.30 to the 4-6 kind of slot. All fine with us! Tire them out before bed too.

KnickerlessFlannel · 15/11/2024 15:07

Yes, sunday afternoons are perfect. Morning parties make me groan!!

MuggleMe · 15/11/2024 15:07

Definitely. I much prefer a party where the food is at roughly actual meal time.

YorkieIsDefinitelyForGirls · 15/11/2024 15:09

Amba1998 · 15/11/2024 14:56

I’d be personally abit miffed at that. I think parties should be in the mornings to give people their days back. The majority we get invited to are 9.30-11.30 and that’s been the normal throughout the years at my child’s pre school and nursery but I guess it’s a one off

Miffed? Seriously?

Beezknees · 15/11/2024 15:10

Amba1998 · 15/11/2024 14:56

I’d be personally abit miffed at that. I think parties should be in the mornings to give people their days back. The majority we get invited to are 9.30-11.30 and that’s been the normal throughout the years at my child’s pre school and nursery but I guess it’s a one off

This is such a miserable attitude, kids are only young once. It's part and parcel of being a parent to do this kind of thing for a few years!

TickingAlongNicely · 15/11/2024 15:10

Its fine. There will be some unavailable, but that would be the same in the morning, evening, after school...

rainbowunicorn · 15/11/2024 15:14

Amba1998 · 15/11/2024 14:56

I’d be personally abit miffed at that. I think parties should be in the mornings to give people their days back. The majority we get invited to are 9.30-11.30 and that’s been the normal throughout the years at my child’s pre school and nursery but I guess it’s a one off

Never been invited to a party at 9.30 in the morning. All the parties we have every been to over the years were in the afternoon. I think the very earliest we ever went to a party was 12 noon.

Orangelight23 · 15/11/2024 15:15

Good God I hope I'm never invited to a 9:30am party!

Original poster
Lindaful · 15/11/2024 15:22

Thank you all for your opinions, they're really useful.

Can I also ask, do you think one of the role-play village type play places is suitable for a 5th birthday party?

I know my (soon to be) 5 year old would love it cos she loves that type of thing and isn't a huge fan of soft play. But I worry it might be too young for other 5 year olds? I don't want anyone to be bored.

OP posts:
longapple · 15/11/2024 15:28

Amba1998 · 15/11/2024 14:56

I’d be personally abit miffed at that. I think parties should be in the mornings to give people their days back. The majority we get invited to are 9.30-11.30 and that’s been the normal throughout the years at my child’s pre school and nursery but I guess it’s a one off

give them their day back to do what?! pour coffee into their eyeballs and feel resentful that they had to get up and out that early on a saturday?

KerryBlues · 15/11/2024 15:29

Lindaful · 15/11/2024 15:22

Thank you all for your opinions, they're really useful.

Can I also ask, do you think one of the role-play village type play places is suitable for a 5th birthday party?

I know my (soon to be) 5 year old would love it cos she loves that type of thing and isn't a huge fan of soft play. But I worry it might be too young for other 5 year olds? I don't want anyone to be bored.

It sounds perfect.

tulipsunday · 15/11/2024 15:31

My reception child would enjoy it 😊

Mill3nnial · 15/11/2024 15:31

I think it's fine at that age

I do prefer an earlier party like 9/10 and done by lunch but if you start at 3 then people have time to do other things during the day beforehand if they want to

I’d be personally abit miffed at that. I think parties should be in the mornings to give people their days back. The majority we get invited to are 9.30-11.30 and that’s been the normal throughout the years at my child’s pre school and nursery but I guess it’s a one of

Miffed? Really?

You could just not go if it's a problem

sprigatito · 15/11/2024 15:32

Lindaful · 15/11/2024 15:22

Thank you all for your opinions, they're really useful.

Can I also ask, do you think one of the role-play village type play places is suitable for a 5th birthday party?

I know my (soon to be) 5 year old would love it cos she loves that type of thing and isn't a huge fan of soft play. But I worry it might be too young for other 5 year olds? I don't want anyone to be bored.

It will be a very sad day when a 5 year old is too old for this sort of party! It sounds perfect, they'll love it.

longapple · 15/11/2024 15:32

Lindaful · 15/11/2024 15:22

Thank you all for your opinions, they're really useful.

Can I also ask, do you think one of the role-play village type play places is suitable for a 5th birthday party?

I know my (soon to be) 5 year old would love it cos she loves that type of thing and isn't a huge fan of soft play. But I worry it might be too young for other 5 year olds? I don't want anyone to be bored.

That sounds lovely, kids that age have role play corners in their classrooms at school, they definitely still enjoy it! you could take some balloons for them to chuck about if you think some of them might get bored?

5 finish is brilliant, tire them out, fill their tummies and send them home to be dropped into bed. The ones that finish at 3 are worse in my experience as you have to stop them falling asleep in the afternoon!