Birthday Party

[Sobeyondthehills]

DS' birthday is in April, this year it is just after the Easter Holidays, we had to cancel his birthday party last year and he is asking me about this year.

I didn't want to come out with a full blown no, till we know what is going on with schools. But I thought I would just try and get opinion.

If schools went back after the half term (not the Easter holidays) would you be happy for your child to be at a party with maybe 7 other children, all of whom are in the same class. It would be in a hall not in someone's house..

I get there are a lot of ifs and buts involved, He is Yr 4 so 8 will be 9

Could you do it outdoors? If restrictions allow, I would be happier outdoors.

In theory, them hanging out in a hall together is no different than school but what about the adults? Will they be wearing masks? Will parents be staying?

Why in a hall and not outdoors? April is usually warm. I’d actually be surprised if a small outdoor party isn’t allowed in April so you might be safer planning that.

There would only be myself and my partner, both of us happy to wear masks. Wouldn't be expecting adults to stay.

I am not sure of the rules around having a party outdoors, it would have to be in a park and most of the ones round here have clubhouses, so I am not sure if that changes anything

If the guidelines permit then yes, if not then no.

@Sobeyondthehills

There would only be myself and my partner, both of us happy to wear masks. Wouldn't be expecting adults to stay.

I am not sure of the rules around having a party outdoors, it would have to be in a park and most of the ones round here have clubhouses, so I am not sure if that changes anything

You can have a party in a park, that’s usually allowed. Or lots of village halls or community centres have gardens you could use.

It would depend on the guidelines at that time.

My son's birthday is early April and if guidelines permit we will arrange a picnic in the park for a couple of his friends but we won't know until the time.

@NerrSneer

Thats the problem, its based on what might be happening at the time, but I don't really want to come out with, lets see what the government says again and if it is not going to go ahead, I would like to prepare him for it now.

I don't think he is going to understand why he can see his friends at school but can't invite them to a party

Check out Party Peeps, they do really good zoom parties with an organizer, all the kids dress up, there's games etc. I don't think we can realistically plan for anything that soon, there could be another curve ball like a new variant that puts us into another lockdown.

You could do the virtual party and then secretly plan to take him out somewhere special afterwards if we are out of restrictions (restaurant, soft play, zoo etc). I think a lot of people would be willing to take risks for school but some could still be uncomfortable with it so a party might be too much. I also think halls will still be closed by then and you don't want to get his hopes up.

Yes I agree, plan something small with him and a few friends (online zoom or one or two friends outdoors) then if allowed something better then that’s a bonus. He will be more disappointed if you promise him something bigger inside then it can’t happen.

No, for me them attending education is a high enough risk so wouldn’t let them go to an indoor party just as we wouldn’t as adults. Simply not worth the risk or the possibility of the virus spreading l

Possibly an outdoor one of the law allows it and the parents would ensure the 2m SD was in place.

DD is in Y4, she completely understands that the rules are different for school and parties/play dates, because school is important & Covid secure and parties/play dates are not. You just need to explain to him that even if he is back at school (which is looking unlikely), he may not be able to have a party.

An 8 year old is old enough to understand "we'll have to wait and see."

No I can’t imagine restrictions will relax enough to be mixing 7 households indoors by April. If we go back to tiers that isn’t even allowed in tier 1 which is rule of six I think.

The idea of a zoom birthday party still being necessary in April is so depressing. I can’t get over that people think zoom is an acceptable substitute for actual face to face interaction especially for children. I would say we will be good to have outdoor small gatherings by then so fingers crossed OP you can do that.

If they are open by then, what about paying for 3 or 4 friends to go to an outdoor activity such as 'go ape' then picnic afterwards.

I'd postpone it - much more likely to be able to meet in groups outside May/June and the weather will be better.

I would be happy for my child to go to a small party anywhere if the restrictions allowed it.
I would also expect a child that age (one of mine is yr3 and we had the same for her birthday before Xmas) to understand that rules change and school is different to a party!?
You can’t tell him right now because you don’t know what is going to be possible.

Thanks everyone, he is old enough to understand wait and see, but to be honest that along with no is all I have been able to say for a year, so I wanted to say something else.

However given the update today, I am going to have to say we will delay it.

Zoom party would be good, but he only moved into the school into December 2019, so I haven't really be able to get to know any parents at all. Let alone get phone numbers and there doesn't appear to be any facebook groups, normal way would be birthday parties, but there haven't been any.

TBH I don't want to bother the teacher or the school with this. I will put my thinking cap on

🙄