Do you force your 5 year old to attend social functions they don't want to? And if so, how?

[Greythorne]

DD, aged 5, has been invited to a birthday party by a girl she knows from dance class. I accepted enthusiastically when the mum emailed me....I just assumed DD would love to attend. But when I mentioned it to her, she just said, 'I don't want to go, I won't know anyone except Jane [ girl from dance]. I don't want to go and be the only one from dance'.

What to do?

Should I force encourage her to go, knowing she will almost certainly have fun when she gets there?

And if so, how? :)

I feel like she is only 5 and doesn't really know what to expect so if she goes, she might have fun. But then again, she knows her own mind. Should I let her decide?

Can you go with her? My DD went to a few parties where she only knew the birthday child and asked if i'd go with her so i did. Personally I would feel the same way if i was going out to a party and only knew the party girl as can be a bit shy myself but I would force myself as i'm grown up and it's good for me i know but 5 yr olds don't see things like adults do.

My DD is now 8 but i would stay if she was the only one out of her group knowing the party goer (if she wanted me to that is). 5 is quite young to leave if she's feeling shy and you could always say your staying but pop out halfway through to 'phone daddy' or some other excuse so she's on her own for a bit but she knows you're nearby.

I did that first time round and then learnt! I now say no sorry we cant (unless it is a really good friend of his!)

I now as DS first and if he does not want to go then I make excuses. If we accept then we go regardless if he changes his mind, as he needs to learn that you cant change your mind.

*ask