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Original poster

7 person gathering -yes or no?

82 replies

UserTwice · 26/04/2021 10:03

DS is in a friendship group of 7.
His birthday is coming up.
He wants to invite all of them to a "garden gathering".

I am an inveterate rule follower and am really struggling between the rationale of "7 rather than 6 is very little extra risk" and my must-follow-rules inclinations.

Would this bother anyone else? Other than it being "the rules" is there a good reason why we shouldn't have 7 people in the garden?

OP posts:
Sillysop92 · 26/04/2021 15:55

7 sounds fine to me, outside in the fresh air. I've had 9 in my back garden from 3 households (all family) but no hugs :(

poppycat10 · 26/04/2021 16:06

Who is going to know OP? Just do it.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 26/04/2021 16:07

Can't believe this is a serious thread if I'm honest Confused
Consider local rates in your area, consider the space they will occupy and the maturity of the group to behave and be respectful of your home/ garden and make your decision based on that not some weird rule that says it will become magically safe for 1 extra person atvthe turn of midnight on 16th May

poppycat10 · 26/04/2021 16:08

(there was another thread where someone wanted 20 adults to her birthday party - that is very different to having 7 kids or 6 kids plus birthday boy's mum)

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 26/04/2021 17:20

No plus there would be adults indoors so more than 7. Just reiterate the rules and split the event so there are always less than six including adults.

Cas112 · 26/04/2021 17:27

Just do it OP! And do not let anyone make you feel guilty for having one little extra one!

Quartz2208 · 26/04/2021 17:29

We did for DD birthday a month ago (just after the 29th March opening). She is in a group of 7 at school, had been back in the classroom and I didnt want to leave anyone out. I went backwards and forwards. For me haivng the one extra did not increase risk

Smartiepants79 · 26/04/2021 17:36

If the other kids parents are up for it then I’d do it.
Get them to wash when they arrive and leave.
If you’re concerned then I would-
Provide individual, named drinks, no sharing.
Provide individual pre-packed food boxes, no sharing.
These things could be done in a fun, party way.
Think carefully about what activities they will do.
1 extra person really isn’t going to suddenly mean they’re all going to catch something!

Paddington102 · 26/04/2021 18:08

I'd do it and have done it.. Our kids have missed out on too much already!

Remmy123 · 26/04/2021 18:21

Yes go for it!!!

therestissilence · 26/04/2021 19:42

God, the damage being done to kids, absorbing all this.

LST · 26/04/2021 19:43

@therestissilence

God, the damage being done to kids, absorbing all this.
Scary isn't it.
PatrickBatemann · 26/04/2021 19:44

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. We did 7 at MIL's.

Original poster
UserTwice · 26/04/2021 19:48

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

No plus there would be adults indoors so more than 7. Just reiterate the rules and split the event so there are always less than six including adults.
I thought it had well and truly been established that people inside don't count towards the 6 allowed in the garden? So the adults indoors don't matter. It's just the number of people gathering together. Or we'd have to check our neighbours weren't sitting out in their garden as well, as they would be much closer than us sat in our lounge :)
OP posts:
Original poster
UserTwice · 26/04/2021 19:49

@poppycat10

(there was another thread where someone wanted 20 adults to her birthday party - that is very different to having 7 kids or 6 kids plus birthday boy's mum)
I have to admit I read that thread too - and virtually everyone on there said they'd be fine with 7 or 8 but 20 was too many. Whereas I seem to have got more of a mix of opinions. Wonder if it's the in way I worded the question :) ?
OP posts:
Original poster
UserTwice · 26/04/2021 19:51

@poppycat10

Who is going to know OP? Just do it.
DS has said on the off chance we are reported by our neighbours (who I think won't care), one of the group will come inside and hide in the toilet :)

I actually think they'd quite like it if we had a police raid :)

OP posts:
Bordois · 26/04/2021 19:51

My son is just back from cubs where there were 7 other kids in a space not much bigger than our garden 🤷‍♀️

Bellyfat · 26/04/2021 19:56

I'd let my child go to a party with 6 other children now cases are so low.
I hope he has a brilliant birthday x

therestissilence · 26/04/2021 19:57

@UserTwice

Or we'd have to check our neighbours weren't sitting out in their garden as well, as they would be much closer than us sat in our lounge

Ahhhhh, hahaha, I get it now! Good one OP! I actually thought your thread was serious.

You cheeky devil.

therestissilence · 26/04/2021 20:00

The 'rules' were made to cater for those with no common sense. But the effect has been that those who once had a modicum of common sense now have none.

insurancedrama · 26/04/2021 20:04

It's fine. Enjoy!

HesterShaw1 · 26/04/2021 20:17

Just do it!

HesterShaw1 · 26/04/2021 20:18

Provide individual, named drinks, no sharing.
Provide individual pre-packed food boxes, no sharing.

It's a respiratory virus!

JaninaDuszejko · 26/04/2021 20:18

I'd do it and I'll tell you why. One of DDs friends had a party and a second gathering to celebrate her birthday recently. The parents wanted to stick to the rules so split the group as fairly as they could. Unfortunately this being teenagers the group have exploded into a mass of he said she said and bullying of one girl so severe she's now avoiding school.

Wherediditgo · 26/04/2021 21:11

Just so it OP and hope they enjoy Smile