My 5 yr old ds has persuaded me to let him have his birthday party at home . HELP !

[travellingwilbury]

I am not too worried about the mayhem of 5 yr olds but I am looking for a polite but firm way of telling the parents they don't need to stay and hover around wanting cups of tea and coffee for two hours .

I don't live in a mansion and the idea of 10 ish 5 yr olds in the house is enough to drive me to drink but I really don't want to have to deal with mums and dads as well

Any ideas on how I can word it to them when they hopefully ring to confirm ?

TIA

Going to do school run but will be back

just say drop them off at x oclock and collect at y ocloclk, they should get the hint!

Give a "drop off" and "collect" time on invites. Or as soon as they come through the door don't give 'em chance to get their coats off, just say "pick up at xxx time ok, bye!". Are you not hanging on to a couple of parents to help out though?

When they accept the invite, ask for a phone no to contact them on during the party.

or when they ring to confirm say "drop offs at XX time" and then you "can come and collect at XX time". Only the thickest of people will not get that hint I reckon.

Thank you for all the replies , so far thank fully they have all been happy with dropping off . Now I just have to keep 10 lively 5 yr olds entertained for two hours .

Should be fun

my advice would be to make a plan so you have some structure. and the 2 hours will fly by!