To ask a parent not to have balloons at their childs party??

[Thomcat]

Well of course that's unreasonable and I would never ask that, but we do have a problem with balloons and I didn't know where to post this or what to call thread.

Here's the problem:

DD1 gets asked to parties a lot, like everyone else.
She is 7 and Has Down's syndrome.
She has a huge, massive fear of balloons. HUUUUUGE fear.

We quite often don't get through the door if she spots a balloon and we have to come home again.

So, we have the latest invitation and I have been holding onto it for over a week as I just don't know what to do.

It's at Pizza Hut and I just know they will decorate the place with balloons. They just will.

If I say yes to yet another party and then have to leave before we really even get through the door again, in no particular order it's:
a) it's a massive pita for me to have dressed DD1 up, settled the other 2 kids, go all the way there just to come home again
b) it's unfair on DD1 who gets all excited about going to a perty only to be confronted with a balloon.
c) unfair on the bou whose party it is as he really likes DD1
d) unfair on the othjer mum who will inevitably feel all bad (happened before many times)

So what do I do?

Do I ring and say yes we'd love to come but just please understand if we have to leave if DD1's balloon phobia kicks off? Then leave it up to her if she still has balloons on the day and it's tough on DD1 if there is??????

My dd1 who has sn also has a phobia of balloons and we have been through exactly the same thing many many times. I now always mention it and it's never been a problem. I don't do hugs but

I'm soo glad you have spoken to the party girl's mum. Hope Lottie has a great time there.

My dc's parties must be highly inferior affairs, don't think we have ever had ballons (or just cheap!).

Balloons are not compulsory, are they? (For those who said they would not change their plans for a friend with a phobia)

Oh, I'm really pleased for you Thomcat! I hope you and Lottie have a great time.

Best wishes.

p.s. I thought of you last night - there was a young woman with Down's Syndrome on the bus last night - she was with another young adult who I think had learning difficulties and a slightly older lady who seemed to be looking after them and they were all laughing and had obviously had a lovely jolly afternoon out shopping - I thought how beautiful they all were and how good their laughter made me feel. I hope this doesn't sound too nauseating and obviously I don't underestimate how hard it is bringing up a child with SN...

Well Done TC

I just want to raise 1 slight concern...whilst the following statement may well be true..

"She said 'oh don't worry, I think they just give them out as the children leave'."

Both of our local branches permanently have balloon next to teh door. They may not give them out until the end but I wouldn't be surprised if they were in the room throughout...which sounds like it may be a problem. It may be different in your branches though. You could ring your branch and find out? You don't have to go through party host. You are not stopping them give them out at the end.

Sorry to put a dampner on.