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

[bugsymalone]

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

Very odd all round. Can you imagine having to deal with the birthday child's constant chorus of "when's my party?" all day. I used to find morning parties slightly odd until I saw the advantage of having it done and dusted early, then you can relax at home in the afternoon while presents are opened and there's time to play with them.

That's crazy in the extreme. My 8 yr old still goes to bed at 7. Sure it wasn't 17.00-19.00? (not being funny, Ihave made such a mistake )

I deinitely wouldnt take DS to a party at that time!!

Such a shame for the child who's birthday it is though. Perhaps thats the only time the parents are around if they work long hours?

How odd! My DD would probably cope with the late night - she has stayed up that late for family things - but I would decline because I think it is a really odd time to have a toddlers birthday party and I would imagine it wouldn't much fun with a bunch of exhausted littlies!

Bizarre. I wouldn't taken mine to that when they were 3. They would have been a nightmare- esp the one who used to get more and more lively the more tired he became. Is there any way it could be an error? Or is the birthday child from a non-British culture/country, perhaps, where it is normal to do a very long day time sleep and then have the kids up till later? Do you know the parents well enough to ring up and very politely explain your reservations?

bloody hell are you sure she didn't get her am and pm's mixed up

My DS copes well with late nights for special occasions: maybe the birthday child is similar and they don't realise that not every kid can cope with a disruption of routine. Maybe they couldn't get the venue till late and/or one parent couldn't get back from work any earlier.
If you know your kids won't be able to stay up that late, politely decline: but rigid routines aren't always the best thing for all kids and sometimes doing different things is more pleasurable and beneficial than you expect.

what a silly time

my 3 are tucked up in bed by 7.30 and no way would i want them to be up and about at a party till 9pm, and then after all the sweets/choc be up and running about madly to midnight

but if it is on the weekend, would it be the end of the world to have a late night, once in a blue moon

you could be at home, with large glass of wine and all children asleep

or

you could be sober at a party with 20+ 3yrs running round screaming

hmmmmmmmmmmmm - which would i choose

Seems a strange time - would call to check the times

hughjarssss - 1yr is different, its mainly for adults and your dc can sleep in buggy,while you celebrate first year of their life

YANBU in the least. In fact, the 2 hour soft play party I'm having for my 5 y.o. this afternoon will be a dream of joy compared to that! So thanks .

Is it a weekend?
Do the parents both work?
Maybe they both cannot get there until that time?
I would consider it as it would nbe a one offf.

say no

are you the only parents of a 3 year old invited?
I suspect they want the dh to be there and he can'r get the day off
or grandparents, aunts , uncles etc who are all working, is it a weekeday?

I would rsvp explaining that your child is in bed by 7pm and that you are sorry your child will miss it.