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Original poster

Would your 2yr old attend a 1pm party?

76 replies

Calmondeck · 07/08/2025 12:31

Is this a strange time for a birthday party to be attended by mostly 1 & 2 yr olds? Are most kids napping at this time?

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CloudPop · 07/08/2025 16:29

SeaToSki · 07/08/2025 12:36

I would not have taken mine, they all had lunch and then a nap for 2.5 hrs and there was no way I was messing with that little bit of peace in my day

Same here. That lunchtime nap was sacred.

scaredfriend · 07/08/2025 16:41

It’s a bit of an odd time because when would you do food? Most toddlers eat lunch around 12pm and tea no earlier than 4pm. So a 1.5-2hr party (plenty long enough for toddlers) starting at 1pm won’t work. And for the guests - they’d have to eat lunch very early to have finished, cleared up and travel for a 1pm start. And yes, my DC still napped after lunch until 2.5 / 3. Whilst we were happy to be a bit flexible, the reality is a grumpy over-tired little person.

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 07/08/2025 16:58

I would. My two year old hasn't napped outside the car since 10 months. Naps shouldn't rule your life.

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IcyMint · 07/08/2025 17:34

scaredfriend · 07/08/2025 16:41

It’s a bit of an odd time because when would you do food? Most toddlers eat lunch around 12pm and tea no earlier than 4pm. So a 1.5-2hr party (plenty long enough for toddlers) starting at 1pm won’t work. And for the guests - they’d have to eat lunch very early to have finished, cleared up and travel for a 1pm start. And yes, my DC still napped after lunch until 2.5 / 3. Whilst we were happy to be a bit flexible, the reality is a grumpy over-tired little person.

I would assume 2/2.30 which would be perfect for afternoon snack time x

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 07/08/2025 17:53

Never had a scheduled nap time, so any time was always fine for us

TheNightingalesStarling · 07/08/2025 17:56

When mine were toddlers, the 1.30 playgroup/toddler class was very popular as it it finished at 3pm just in time to go to get older siblings at the Primary school (9.15am being the other popular time!)

liveforsummer · 07/08/2025 18:56

At 2 years old. If either of mine had napped they’d have been up all night. 1 pm would have been an ideal time for a party

Griffincoar · 07/08/2025 19:26

Both of mine would usually be napping at that age and time, but we never turned down a party unless we had something else booked and we just managed by shifting naps earlier or later. The perfect time for activities for us was around 10am but it's different for everyone.

GreenLemonade · 07/08/2025 22:20

I wouldn't go. DS would be an overtired mess. Neither he nor anyone around him would enjoy it.

mindutopia · 08/08/2025 07:56

I never planned life around naps, maybe in the early days when you just needed a break for an hour after being up all night. Mine would have slept in the car before or after. It wouldn’t be my first choice if I was planning a party, but if I really wanted to go, it wouldn’t stop me.

MalcolmMoo · 08/08/2025 17:16

Not weird at all, toddlers have all kinds of nap schedules. My 19 month old normally naps around 3ish

Emmz1510 · 08/08/2025 17:17

I have to admit at that age I would have a little inward sigh if things were arranged that clashed with nap time. My LG would nap from after lunch for a good 2/2.5 hours and we would have a hellish afternoon without it, trying to prevent danger napping at 5pm! Generally I would just go though and try to work around it, either by trying to put her down earlier or just waking her from the nap and preparing for an earlier bedtime that night. Much preferred either morning or late afternoon activities! Invite us out for dinner all you like- but lunch please no!

Helpmeplease2025 · 08/08/2025 17:20

Of course. There’s no set nap time for all DC. Even if it was naptime, a party is an exception.

If you don’t want to go, don’t go. But it’s not weird - everyone is different. I think regimented nap times are weird

Hollybobs1 · 08/08/2025 17:25

I'd arrange the nap around the party. I don't let naps rule our lives.

Cheesetoastiees · 08/08/2025 18:02

Yeah, not all little ones nap then. My nearly 2 year old naps 11-12:30ish (sometimes earlier, sometimes later). Even if it was I’d just move it for the day as he’d get loads out of the party. You’ll never get a party at the right time for all wee ones that age.

RawBloomers · 08/08/2025 18:26

Mine wouldn't have been napping, but I wouldn't take a 2 year old to a birthday party unless it was a family type party. A group of 2 year olds together for a party sounds like a tear factory.

Eggsyummyeggs · 08/08/2025 18:30

I would my 3 boys haven't napped since they where around 13 months olds.
Only time they nap is when they are ill.

Even dd who was still napping at 3 I would have taken her too.

Mydadsbirthday · 08/08/2025 20:23

Mine slept 1-3 after lunch from about 12-24 months. By age 2 they would have been ok to miss it but I agree it's not a good time for a two year olds party.

pambeesleyhalpert · 08/08/2025 20:54

i always hated a 1pm party at that age!

pambeesleyhalpert · 08/08/2025 20:56

RawBloomers · 08/08/2025 18:26

Mine wouldn't have been napping, but I wouldn't take a 2 year old to a birthday party unless it was a family type party. A group of 2 year olds together for a party sounds like a tear factory.

That’s sad. When will you allow your child to go to parties?

Elphamouche · 08/08/2025 21:28

100%, we go whatever the time and we work round it. We have never been a family that doesn’t do things when she naps. Ever. She’s 16m and has been to a party at 1230-2.30

RawBloomers · 08/08/2025 21:39

pambeesleyhalpert · 08/08/2025 20:56

That’s sad. When will you allow your child to go to parties?

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Sad in what way?

They went to family parties and the like from birth, but not ones aimed at babies. At that age they just didn’t get much from being around other children their age (as most 2 and under don’t) and nothing about parties aimed at babies seemed like a good idea.

We started trying parties of peers when they were 3, but few and far between as they were pretty dire experiences until they were about 4.

if you think being considerate of and responsive to your DC is sad I think you have a pretty fucked up idea of parenting

Sesma · 08/08/2025 21:49

Mine didn't nap from about one, unfortunately, I would have liked him to nap, so it wouldn't have made any difference

Imisssleep2 · 13/08/2025 13:31

Mine is 19 months and naps from 12 till 2/3 so wouldn't be able to attend unless I wanted an extremely overtired cranky baby. Prob best planning for like 10am or 3pm as most this age will have one early pm nap

MarioLink · 13/08/2025 13:40

It would have clashed with nap time for ours. Before 18 months she was on 2 naps so the second nap could have waited till 3pm. After 18 months to 3 years it would have been tricky but we probably would have tried for a slightly early nap so she could attend the party rested.