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Original poster

We've had a party for our daughter, I don't know how well it went.

28 replies

mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2009 20:21

Hi, I had a party for my daughters 4th birthday today. We hired a village hall, had a punch and judy show and the children played pass the pacel and then had party food. They then danced and played to the music with tamboriens, shakers etc.
The parents chatted and had tea and coffee.
I was a bit concerned that when people started to arrive, we hadn't finnished setting up the food table etc. We did welcome everyone and all the parents had a hot drink.
My daughter didn't join in much, we knew she wouldn't. She also started crying when the cake came out and refused to blow out the candles. (she was scared of the flames.)
After the punch and judy show that lasted half an hour, it did seem quite un organised.
The children were having fun though.
I said on the invites 2-4 pm and people didn't start to leave untill 4:25pm I think that's a good sign.
The parents all said it was a nice party, but I did feel a bit overwhelmed as there were 18 children and all there parents and our family. I'd just like some reasurance that it was o.k.
Compared to the other partys we've been too, I don't know if I did well enough. I don't want the parents thinking how un orgenised it was.

OP posts:
Shitemum · 01/03/2009 20:31

I wasn't there but it sounds like a perfectly nice party to me. I never enjoy parties I'm hosting but I think that's normal.

I feel sad that people are so judgy about kids birthday parties these days. When I was little you invited your friends round to your house, not the whole class tho' unless they were all your friends, you had party food and cake and you played some games. The guests gave a present which they thought the child might like. Some parents stayed, some came back later, depending on how old the kids were. You got to take a balloon home or a bit of cake.
End of story.

No-one judged the food or the entertainment or the people hosting the party or the damn party bags. And you didn't judge the presents you'd received either.

Couldn't we just go back to that?

nickschick · 01/03/2009 20:36

Oh fgs it was a party - get over it.

LIZS · 01/03/2009 20:37

Sounds like fun , does it really matter what they thought ? I think sometimes parties can be overly organised and elaborate especially for younger ones.

Doodle2U · 01/03/2009 20:38

Bugger what the parents thought - if the kids went home happy, it was a good party.

You do know that none of them (parents included) will remember a thing about it, come this time next year, don't you?!

Boco · 01/03/2009 20:39

It's always a bit hectic isn't it, when you're the host, but it sounds like a nice party.

Northernlurker · 01/03/2009 20:40

Children prefer free flowing fun partys! It sunds great to me and you obviously put a lot of effort in.

I think you need to relax a bit and feel confident in what you've achieved - I'm sure it was a lovely day. Next year I wouldn't bother putting candles on a cake though if your daughter doesn't like them! Just sing Happy Birthday and have her unveil the cake or something.

FrannyandZooey · 01/03/2009 20:40

mll it sounds lovely
i know just how you feel - i always feel a bit flat after parties and worry that it didn't go quite right
it sounds like everyone had a super time and you have no need to worry
it's very rude to say oh fgs it's just a party - i bet you spent a lot of time planning and wanted it to be special

TheFallenMadonna · 01/03/2009 20:42

It will have been fab I'm sure. I mean, children having fun is actually what it's about. Dd's party was definitely pretty disorganised, but she and her friends had a good time. Cake was eaten, dancing was done and balloons were popped. Not sure what more 5 (or 4) year old girls wnat really

MaureenMLove · 01/03/2009 20:42

Bit harsk Nick.

It's sounds like a lot of fun and perfectly fine. I agree with others though, forget what other people might have thought.

Aranea · 01/03/2009 20:43

It sounds like a really nice party. And actually the only really important thing is that your daughter felt special and had a good time.

nickschick that was unnecessary.

tiggerlovestobounce · 01/03/2009 20:44

It sounds fine to me. I think that it is normal to feel a bit overwhelmed by the number of children, or that things are a little disorganised (I hope its normal anyway! )

When I go to parties with my children the level of organisation doesnt worry me much, as long as the children are safe then it is organised enough for me.

Hulababy · 01/03/2009 20:44

It sounds like fun and a nice, relaxed (ffor the guests and aprents if not you)and informal - perfect!

The children had fun = good party!

Lizzylou · 01/03/2009 20:47

I worry abut stuff like this exactly the same as you MLL and I will be in the same positon next Sunday after DS1 and 2's joint party.

FWIW it all sounds lovely, people wouldn't have stuck around for so long if it wasn't.

Sadly I also fret like this (on a smaller scale admittedly) after playdates, girls nights out etc etc.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2009 20:56

Thanks every one (appart from nickschick).

I always worry what people will think. I'd hate anyone to think, well that was a rubbish party, especially as it took a lot of effort and preparation.
My daughter had a lovely time and that's the important thing. I enjoyed the puppet show too.

OP posts:
jalopy · 01/03/2009 20:59

Don't hold back, nickchick.

Sounds like you did a good job, mummyloveslucy.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2009 21:02

Yes, next year we won't have candles.
She never used to be scared of them until she went too close one year and felt the heat on her nose before I pulled her away. She didn't burn herself but it did scare her.

OP posts:
Lizzylou · 01/03/2009 21:06

I love puppet shows too
Glad your DD enjoyed herself, that really is what it's all about

DS2 always cries when people sing, esp Happy Birthday, should be fun!

nickschick · 01/03/2009 21:16

My daughter had a lovely time and that's the important thing. I enjoyed the puppet show too.

........Well thats good enough-why do you need reassurance of mumsnet? what if we say no that sounds like a crap party? what can you do to solve it? zip you planned it - what can you do? send a letter to everyone you inviting asking them if they had a good time????

I just dont get it - I get the aibu thing thats asking for opinions,I get the asking for medical/parenting/fashion advice etc- I even get the bottlev breast battle -hell I even get the H.E part IN FACT I even get the school run dress and summer handbags - I click on the bat links every blardy time BUT I dont get threads like this.

Was there nobody in 'real life' you could have asked this too?

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2009 21:17

It's interesting to see how she interacts with the other children. At home she is very bossy and confident and loves to be the centre of attention, but with other children she holds back. She won't take the lead even if a child is half her age.
She is more confident with adults really.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2009 21:26

O.k nickschick, calm down before you give yourself stroke.

OP posts:
nickschick · 01/03/2009 21:29

And a STROKE is your idea of a joke???

meh ....

pointydog · 01/03/2009 21:31

sounds like a good party. don't worry

Hulababy · 01/03/2009 21:33

"BUT I dont get threads like this."

Eh? But isn't this what MN is all about. The little comments and the little questions that parents don't really feel they can ask in RL as it may seem a bit too trivial? MN always has these types of threads.

As ever - if you don't like them, don't clik - jst ignore!

MaureenMLove · 01/03/2009 21:34

What is the matter Nick? Are you pre-mentral or summit? There's lots of threads on here that I DON'T get and you know what? I don't post on them!! It's quite simple.

Maybe, just maybe MLL has no-one in rl to talk to about this tonight and decided to have a chat with someone on here about it. It worked. The OP was not left on unanswered threads, so it was job done and everyone (apart from you) is happy.

Original poster
mummyloveslucy · 01/03/2009 21:36

Wow, I don't think I've ever met anyone on mumsnet that's been so aggressive and argumentative. You didn't have to post a message at all.
My Mum always told me, if you can't say anything nice then keep your mouth shut.
Good advice don't you think ???

OP posts:
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