What do you do at parties and gatherings?

[blackpoolhouse]

My LO is about to turn 3, what do you do when you go to parties and gatherings at peoples houses or at a restaurant etc where there are adults and children of various ages socialising, how do you keep an eye on your child when they're playing?

My husband and I differ he thinks it's ok to leave our LO with the other children like 8-10 year olds. Whereas I feel I need to watch her still, this often means I'm hanging out with the kids the whole time and don't get to catch up with friends/adults unless they also have a little one.

At the end of the day an 8/10 year old is still a child and it's a lot of responsibility!

How do you socialise whilst also supervising your child?

You take turns. I would never have left my son aged three to be looked after by an eight year old.

Depends so much on number of children, spread of ages and how responsible those children are, some 10 year olds are fine to supervise with you in the same building. You obviously check in periodically but assuming no Sen you start to let them play with the bigger kids once 3 and at nursery

From 3 onwards I leave them to it and check in regularly. By 4 they're definitely on their own.

I assume you aren't far away? You are within hearing distance ? You shouldn't need to watch

I have a 3YO and if he’s happy to go with the older kids, they’re happy to have him, the house is safe eg no uncovered swimming pool or vicious dog and you’re within earshot then I let him go. Even when it does require 1 of us to watch him then it’s 2 adults to 1 3YO so you should be able take turns and also I never go anywhere without some stuff he can play with independently if needs be- colouring, toy cars etc.