Young kids birthday parties

[Southlondonmum76]

Does your little one go to class birthday parties?

My 4 year old has been invited to a few but doesn’t want to go to any.

Are they such a big thing?

My kids loved attending them at that age.

Can your child articulate why they don't want to go? Is it for example fear of the unknown, not liking the activity...

My DD (5) is super socialable, lots of friends, always hugely excited for parties. When she gets there she invariably clings to my leg and cries if I leave her side. They can be quite overwhelming for little ones.

My daughter is really shy. She doesn’t like dressing up if it’s a themed party which I’ve said is ok, she can wear her choice of clothes.

I’ve reassured her I’ll be there for the two hours but she’s still not keen on going.

I know the whole class are not going, so far it’s around 15 children for next weeks party.

The reason I was asking I wondered if at 4 she was too young and it’s just so overwhelming but I keep hearing kids of reception age and year 1 seem to be going to birthdays every other week.

Not too young, mine both loved parties although dd2 would be clingy if I stayed, fine if I left. Dd1 has always been a party animal way before 4. It depends on the dc rather than their age

My DD is in reception and is a very, very end of August birthday (ie she's pretty much the youngest in any reception cohort) and she really likes going to her class parties (we've had loads so far). The main struggle is getting her to leave, if she's really enjoying herself she finds it difficult understand it's home time and I don't think that's specifically the party, more being at the softplay or whatever,