Kids party - would you feel comfortable..

[Piplette]

Sending your child to a small party with 4 other children from their class? Only other attendees would be the parents of the child having the party and it would be at their home?

My dd attended a similar party last month and given it was with a group of children she is very close to I was happy to do this as I didnt feel it posed any greater risk than them being in school together?

Dd's birthday is approaching and with cases going up there is no chance of having the larger party at a soft play as originally planned but she's now asking if she can have a small party like the one she attended. However we have local restrictions that prohibit having people outside your household in your house but there is a lack of clarity around children (the kids in question are all 5/6) and they seem to be excluded??

If the schools are still running at this point would you send your child to a party like this?

Oh, I see that you are in a local restrictions area. If you are in England, children count, they don't in Scotland and I don't know about Wales, but it could be that your party is already illegal where you are.

@BarbaraofSeville

Oh, I see that you are in a local restrictions area. If you are in England, children count, they don't in Scotland and I don't know about Wales, but it could be that your party is already illegal where you are.

In Wales under 11s don't count

BUT in local lockdowns you can't go into people's houses (even if they were in your bubble previously)

OP IS IN A LOCAL LOCKDOWN AREA WHERE YOU CANNOT MIX WITH OTHER HOUSEHOLDS INSIDE

Sorry, for shouting, but I am really hoping that all the posters saying "this is totally fine" had missed that bit, rather than there being so many who would wilfully break lockdown rules.

I wouln’t do it because I like to follow the rules.

But I understand the rules in this case don’t make a lot of sense if they are going to school together. For example, three couples that do not see each other very often can meet up indoors one day, that’s clearly more risky than kids that are nearly everyday together who meet for a party on the weekend. whatever virus or germs they’ve got, if they dont pass it on on the party, they will in class, what’s the difference? No logic.

Rules are generic and then when applied to real life, there are situations when they don’t make sense.

It is a shame because there is no logic and kids may not understand. Bu
But you would be breaking the law doing it, so I wouln’t risk it.

I would send my child. She spends every day with those children at school anyway.

The fact that they're in the same class and mix every day with far far more than the rule of 6 then yes as a one off I'd allow it, shoot me!

I don't think it should be too hard for dc to understand?

'School is very important so all children should be going to school. However the government have decided that it would be safest if people don't mix at home as that isn't essential. So the rules say we cannot have any visitors.'

Worked for my dc when we had to cancel their party last week.

I've been pondering this issue as I have 2 primary age dc with November birthdays.

I've decided against indoor parties this autumn for the following reasons:

1. Although we're not in local lockdown and rule of 6 applies atm, by November it's likely indoor socialising will be more restricted so probably best to assume it will be illegal anyway.

1. Altho the dc are in class bubbles their play with little social distancing will mostly be outside at play time and they are in a school environment where the teachers will be keeping control which is very different to a birthday party.

A party is inside and the dc will be v excited and unlikely to distance plus will be shouting/talking loudly etc. Ie the transmission risks would seem to be much higher at an indoor party than being at school.

I don't feel that I want to be responsible for the risks involved really.

For my 9-10 year old we've decided to do a Zoom party and she will plan games and quiz etc and give her friends a party bag before hand with some little props for the party - eg tattoos, balloons, wrapped present for pass the parcel, cupcake, sweets as game prizes etc and they can do a virtual party.

For my 6 year old she understands parties are out this year and we will do a family day out and have one next year as I think they're too young for zoom.

I do think we owe it to teachers to stick to the rules to be honest. I don't really think sitting in a classroom/playing outside is the same as the intense closeness that would happen in a party in the home. I really think sticking to the rules is the least we can do to show respect to school staff.

Aside from any local lockdown extra measures which I don't know if you have - if you're in England and its you in the house with your daughter and 4 of her friends it adheres to the rule of 6...

As long as you don’t go over 6 I can’t see an issue.

@Frostiesfortea

As long as you don’t go over 6 I can’t see an issue.

Other than, as stated in OP:

However we have local restrictions that prohibit having people outside your household in your house ??

I’d be fine with this.

Oh this is so hard. My niece had a spread out party last weekend. They hired a bouncy castle in the garden and she had 1 friend at a time to play, about 4 visits in all over the weekend.

Somehow she convinced my poor SIL she needed a new birthday cake and candles for every 'party' 🥳 exhausting for mum but DN had a brilliant birthday weekend.

If you are in an area that has local restrictions (possibly law depending
on where you live) against having anyone else in your house why are you even considering this?? You are the very reason why this virus is spreading! Yes its shit your dc won't get a birthday party this year but she won't be the only one who doesnt, it will not scar her for life or damage her childhood! Seriously get a grip there must be many other ways you can make her birthday special without inviting others into your home.