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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that 7pm - 9pm is too late for a birthday party for 3 year olds?

66 replies

bugsymalone · 04/10/2008 17:11

My DS has just come home from nursery with a birthday party invite for 7pm - 9pm! Isn't this a bit late for a party for 3 year olds?? If the rest of the little guests are anything like my DS they'll be on the ragged edge of tiredness come 7pm, never mind 9pm. But perhaps I'm being a bit of an old fuddy duddy
Would welcome MN'ers views before I decide how to RSVP. Thanks

OP posts:
NoblesseOblige · 04/10/2008 18:46

much too late. are they mad????

Smithagain · 04/10/2008 19:03

It may have been the only slot they could book at the venue and maybe their child does stay up late. I know a very small number of 2-3 yos that stay up that late routinely.

But I think you would be perfectly reasonable to say "sorry but that is way past my child's bed time and he/she won't be able to cope."

I feel a bit sorry for the child who may not have many friends at his/her party.

hughjarssss · 04/10/2008 19:07

Well ... my dd's 1st birthday party will be around this time

In my defence it will be mostly adults and we are having fireworks as its the weekend after the 5th.

Is this just as bad?

ohdearwhatamess · 04/10/2008 19:14

Madness!

7am to 9am would be better...

chipsandtart · 04/10/2008 19:18

is it at a soft play place as maybe if they were inviting alot of people they are hiring out the whole place and at our local place you can only do that late in the evening

chipsandtart · 04/10/2008 19:24

still madness though i didnt send my ds to a party cos it was 5-7 on a school night and he and my others r in bed by 6.30

GrabShellDude · 04/10/2008 19:24

Hughjarrssss, no that is fine. A first birthday party is mainly for the adults as DD won't have a clue that it's all for her.

In fact she may even zonk out halfway through her own do.

3 year olds on the other hand will be a nightmare of tantrums and tiredness come 7.30pm. Or mine would have been at any rate.

LazyLinePainterJane · 04/10/2008 19:40

LOL Fabio

DS is 3 and asleep at 7pm. Madness.

FrazzledFairyFay · 04/10/2008 19:51

Bonkers. My DD has just turned three and is asleep before 7 most nights. No way I would consider taking her to a childrens' party which started that late.

Thomcat · 04/10/2008 19:52

It's too late for a 33 year old most days!

My 1, 2.5 and 6.5 yr old are all tucked up in bed by 7pm latest.

Kewcumber · 04/10/2008 19:54

get a babysitter - leave three year old DS at home, eat cake, drink wine, have a nice chat, take party bag, come home. Nice evening out and only need to pay for a couple hours babysitting.

Perfect party IMO.

MrsMattie · 04/10/2008 19:56

ROTFL.

DS is snoring his heart out by 7pm.

I'd pity the poor parents hosting a party that late where my over tired, cranky 3 yr old son was attending
He would probably trash their house, puke up the cake, have a monumental tantrum and then crash out on the floor

ilovemydog · 04/10/2008 19:58

sure it wasn't 7 - 9 am ?

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 04/10/2008 20:03

no no no no no YANBU, dd1 is 3 and any later than 7.30pm we pay both that evening and the next day. I can't imagine that there are that many 3 year olds that don't.

I would say avoid as the risk of complete carnage is just toooooooo great!

pointydog · 04/10/2008 20:08

yeah, my kids would have been shattered by then at that age

hughjarssss · 04/10/2008 20:19

Grabshell - hopefully, that way I can enjoy a glass or wine .. or two!

AbbeyA · 04/10/2008 20:22

Mad! I would just decline the invitation.

Trafficcone · 04/10/2008 20:24

Utter insanity!! I'd RSVP and tell them why I was declining.

GrabShellDude · 04/10/2008 20:25

Hughjarssss, exactly. "mainly for the adults" Enjoy!

circlesquare · 04/10/2008 20:49

Not quite the same, but a couple of DD's friends, when turning four, have had parties at 6:15 - 8:15 (at a popular soft play centre which was only available at that time). DD is always in bed by 7, and this was after a full day at nursery for her and work for me so was tempted to decline - a few of the other Mums were a bit too. Still, I didn't like the thought of the children potentially having so few friends at the party, and it seems that most other people thought the same way, as we all gave it a whirl. It worked surprisingly well. Not much got eaten, and there was probably one meltdown each time, but that's not that different to a normal party. Yes, it's a crazy time, but go. It might work, and if it doesn't you can always leave early (10 minutes in if need be!)

Cantandwont · 04/10/2008 21:51

We went to a party this afternoon and dd (4 in a few months) flaked out asleep on the sofa at 6.30pm. So no, I wouldn't and I would think that was very very odd indeed.

Janni · 04/10/2008 22:00

Very odd. Is that the only time the parents can be around??

missblythe · 04/10/2008 22:03

What?! Is is black tie, too?

LynetteScavo · 04/10/2008 22:19

Are you sure it's not 7am-9am - all 3 year olds I know are increadibly active around this time of day. Maybe they will serve coco pops for the party breaksfast?

Slickbird · 04/10/2008 22:35

Holy Mother of God!!!