to think 3 is too young for all this social shite?

[WenisLicker]

I thought I had years, at least 7! Before I had to start worrying about birthday parties and such. A 3yo at my DS's preschool came out today, ran straight into his Mums arms sobbing that 'johnnie' hadn't invited him to his party. I didn't even think they had birthday parties at this age! Now I'm wondering how many parties my DS hasn't been invited too and why.

I'm quite a rational person, but this little boy was so sad, they're too small and lovely to have deal with that (mum looked just as heartbroken) I doubt my DS would even understand the situation but still.

oooh norma sounds like my kinda party, totally agree with you, it sounds like the parents competing with who can have the bigger and better party, and who can get most people to come.

NormaSknockers - the reason you don't have a party at home is so that your home doesn't get trashed

Not that either of mine have had a party yet...next year I will start, but no idea what to do.

Norma - def acceptable to have a party at home. DD has been to some.

Hwowever I personally don't want DD's parties at home. the thought of all that mess and children running round my house is not pleasant. Would much rather pay out to hire a hall for a couple of hours and do it there.

eugh to the thought of paying out money to hire a party place! no thanks, would rather have a wee party at home which costs nothing. a sing-song, party games and some food that I can make up myself. yes norma and also - Jelly and Ice Cream! Perfect!

Each to their own lovechoc. I don't think eurgh to the idea of home parties, just not for me and my home. We don't hire soft play, etc - just a hall with more space to run around and do stuff in, and less worry of things getting spoilt and trashed, and no restriction on numbers.

We just had a big party for dd's 4th birthday - hired a local hall, got some friends to lend their bouncy castle, made the food ourself etc. It was a joint party with her best friend who also goes to the same school so we invited the whole class plus gazillions of her cousins. They had a great time.

Wouldn't suit everyone but it was just right for us.

I Think home parties are great for summer born children when you can kick them outside and not mess up your house too much. It's also good if you're a SAHM and have time to do everything yourself, but if you work or have winter born babies, or have a small house then house parties are an absolute nightmare! I once had a house party for my Dd1s first party and vowed never again. Whilst I love the idea of the traditional party, I found the reality of trying to tidy up my house and organise the party at the same time, then trying to cram half a dozen children plus parents into my house, and as a winter birthday no garden to play in so they just wrecked the joint ... And then sone brought dads and older siblings, there was just no space for the children to really play. Never again! I now do a hall with a bouncy castle - £50 all in, but in my book that us money well spent as then I don't have to spend the weekend before tidying up, only for my house to get trashed at the party and then to spend the week after restoring the house again. Sorry, but as a working mum (even part time work) my time with my children is more precious to me than £50, so I'd rather spend the money and actually enjoy my dauhters' birthday parties rather than being totally stressed by the whole thing. But as I say, views on his probably vary as to whether both parents work (sahp may have more time to prepare for parties at home), how big the house is (how many kids you can squeeze in and still have an enjoyable party) and whether the party is in the summer or not (so can kick them out into the garden!).

Admittidly ours our summer babies so we can kick everyone in the garden, that said on DDs first birthday it chucked it down with rain (we only had family though so wasn't a big issue) I'm very lucky with the clearing up too as MIL always stays to help - if ever I can't find her I'll always find her in the kitchen washing up I personally don't mind all the clearing up, I'd rather have to clear up then spend out money we just can't afford on hiring a hall/soft play etc. But is obviously each to their own so where I cringe at the thought of having to go to yet another party at a soft play area others will cringe at having to attend a party at home - different strokes for different folks. What works for some won't work for others!

i MUST ADMIT i DID A LITTLE ' ' WHEN ds CAME OUT ON FRIDAY AND SOME KIDS HAD WHITE ENVELOPES AND ds SAID 'THEY'VE GOT ONE OF THOSE PARTY THINGS BUT I HAVEN'T'

Oops caps sorry.