Have been asked to 'keep an eye' on kids at a bonfire party and feel rather put upon.

[enid]

dd1, dd2 and I are going to a birthday party this afternoon at a local, rather, ahem, bohemian friends house. The form is a treasure hunt "whatever the weather" (!) and then a bonfire and sparklers. Now as this lovely but distracted mum has a reputation for being very 'laid back', three other mums have asked me to keep an eye on their children and the bonfire.

I can't take the responsibility! That means I have to watch three other kids as well as dd1 and dd2. Am stressed already. And actually a bit peeved truth be known.

I'd get there early, and say very firmly that on reflection you can't possibly be expected to take responsibility for anyone else's child in that situation, and you're sure they'll agree if they give it some thought. Definitely don't be apologetic. Bloody cheek of them to ask imo!

Why does everyone think it's OK just to drop their kids and run, as tho a party is just extra childminding.

I took ds to a party on Saturday, at a soft-play centre) and surveyed how much help the family had got before I decided whether to go or stay.

DS is going to 2 next week, one is a swimming party, and I shall definately stay. It isn't fair to expect anyone else to take the responsibility of several 5 year-olds around a swimming pool (or bonfire for that matter)

Right Im off. Planning to get there early and try to wiggle out of childcare duty. wish me luck!

you know, I think it will all be fine and the kids will really enjoy it. Remember the worst doesn't usually happen...
(though of course I can see why you're anxious!)

Hope it all goes well for you enid.
I have a childminder mate who looks after loads of kids. One of them (4) had a party on Sat and the mother expected the childminder to come to it and help out fgs. Like she loves kids THAT much!

There is no way I would leave a five year old at a bonfire party - I wouldn't expect anyone else to keep an eye on my child with fireworks and a bonfire around! I would be peed off too.

I know marthamoo, it's so unbelievable isn't it? But I see this all the time, some parents are way too laid back.

Crikey - NO WAY would I do that! I wouldn't leave my own kids at the age of 5 at a bonfire party - jeezzz DD1 (now 9!) went to a Firework party with the Brownies on Friday and I still went along as a Parent Helper!!

Some people really take the p* - in fact could have a little moan about myself and my inability to say "no" to other people

bloody hell .. cheeky mares .. they should stay at the party and watch their own kids ..

I'm just like you though, I always say yes and then afterwards think 'bugger'. I would also feel responsible for every single one despite it not being my party even

hope you had a good time

whats the goss then, enid?

My goodness! If the parents are worried enough to ask you to watch their kids then they should do it themselves... Seriously, if they are truely that concerned then they would have done. I hope it went well anyway. I wish i'd read this before you went so i could say, DON'T FEEL RESPONSABLE FOR EVERYONE ELSE'S KIDS. It was every parent that decided to's decision to leave their child there... What would they have done if you weren't there? Bet they wouldn't have stayed themselves thats for sure!

It was completely mental in the end and I couldn't keep an eye on my own kids, let alone everyone elses! They all shot off to four corners of the (seriously large) garden, cleverly avoiding the huge, unfenced pond, and then gathered back at the house for cake, then went to the stables for hot dogs (where there was a huge open range fire on THE FLOOR) then gathered round the massive, unfenced bonfire, dodging sparks and trying to poke each others eyes out with sparklers. Not to mention trampolining in the dark, unsupervised, so there were literally 15 kids squeezed onto the trampoline by the time I turned up to have words.

Dd2 cried and cried and wouldnt go near the bonfire, so I had to tend to her. In the end I gave up, went back to the house and sat in the kitchen drinking tea and eating scones on my own. I just thought, sod it, this is mad, if one of them dies I can't take the responsibility .

In fact no one got hurt and all the kids thought it was completely brilliant.

I need a drink.

rofl

Glad you had a good time Enid!

Would seriously love their house !

I'd need a couple of bottles after that lot!

Crikey! We went to a bonfire party like this once too - similarly huge garden, unfenced pond, unsupervised bonfire and tiny children

The kids loved it; I found it extremely stressful.

I'm glad you survived the experience Enid.