No drop & run at party: how to word it?

[LilyPlantLove]

Would love some help wording invite for DDs 4th birthday party.

It's going to be at a local park (open space, exits etc). She's our first and I don't know any parents personally who would for a 4-5 year old but we're inviting the whole class (so at the moment no idea of turnout, could be 5 could be 30!), I don't know most of the parents so I just want to make sure it's very clear that parents are to stay with their kids the whole time.

How do I word it kindly but explicitly?

Also, what might be a reasonable amount of time, 1 hr or 2? (We are inviting family etc so will be at the park longer than that but I wanted to give the school kids a specific window to be there so we can do the cake then)

Thank you!

I don't even leave my 9yo at a party on his own let alone my 4 year old. Would people really do that? Especially in a public space like a park where you don't know who's about

Just say

We'd love for ... to join us to celebrate our child's birthday, we ask that parents stay for the party too just to ensure everyone's safety. Hope to see you there ☺️

if I received a message I wouldn't think twice about it, don't other think it, it's common sense anyway

The only time I ever left my son at a party was his best school friends 9th birthday and that's because it was a jacuzzi party in their garden (and I really didn't want to go and stand in a school mums house for 3 hours) 😂😂 awful mum I know!

but even then I rsvp'd to the party via text and just said "my son would love to come to so and so's party. Do i need to stay with him? Just so I can arrange a sitter for my girls, it's fine either way 🙂

and she just said oh no it's ok, you're welcome to stay but you don't have to it finishes at 7 if you just want to drop him off and collect him later

and that was that, communication is key!

I don't even leave my 9yo at a party on his own let alone my 4 year old

Unless a child had special needs it would be incredibly unusual for the parents of a 9yr old to want to hang around. Most parents dropped and left from P1 (age 5) and all from P2 (age 6).

He dosnt have special needs im just an incredibly anxious parent, and most parties he goes too are at the farm, trampoline park, swimming pool, places I don't feel comfortable leaving him incase something happens

Sounds like a lovely day. The park next to me regularly has more than one park party happening simultaneously, from little kids next to the playground to older children with games and sports set up, along with various other groups doing exercise, slacklining, or whatever else. It makes it a lovely place to be, and there are still plenty of smaller groups and families using the same area and facilities. I’m glad I live somewhere where that is normal, didn’t realise it wasn’t the case everywhere.

Small groups, lovely. A huge group, not pleasant at all for other park users.

That sounds like it’s a substantial sized park if multiple parties of 70-80 adults and children and other organised groups are taking place simultaneously while many the many others using the park are able to make equal use of the facilities. It’s not a thing elsewhere because not every park is this size.

OP made it clear that there won't actually be 70.

Medium sized urban park. Probably very similar to OP’s described party, don’t know where this crowd of 80 has appeared from.

Seriously? I'd mind my own business and do whatever I was doing anyway.

What do you think could happen?

Exactly, we're not entitled to public spaces, we're not entitled to dictate how other people live. Mind you're own business and get on with it, like when people complain attractions or shopping centers are too busy...

like you do realise you're part of that busyness right?

why do I care who knows who when I'm putting my child down a slide, who gives a toss? I'm not there to make friends anyway but that's just me 😄

please can I come?
Seriously I’d suggest something like previous posters - “ we’d be pleased if you could join us for an informal gathering to celebrate X’s birthday in the Park at xoclock until y o’clock. There will be games, picnic food, and birthday cake. There will be around 30 young children to supervise so we’d like to include parents/carers in the invitation to ensure it all goes smoothly. We are looking forward to an enjoyable and fun afternoon “

Just had another thought - might be an idea to state whether you’d prefer not to have gifts. 30 birthday presents are a lot to store if as you say, you have a small house Maybe a PS at the end - we are not expecting birthday gifts, but you might like to bring along your child’s favourite game/ball/ outdoor toy to share and take home again afterwards.
or suggest each child brings along a pot of bubbles.

If you have to ask what someone with anxiety thinks could happen then you’ve obviously never suffered from it!