Do you stay at party for 3 year old?

[ladykay]

My 3 year old has just been invited to his first proper birthday party (well he will just be 3 then, the week before his friend's party). I don't know whether I am supposed to stay or just drop as I have no prior experience of these things! I know he would be fine as it is a bunch of his nursery chums who are thick as thieves, although I don't know the parents. I can obviously ask on the RSVP but wanted to pass it by MN first to get a heads up on the protocol....it doesn't say either way on the invite. It's in his own house, not a venue. I suppose I'd rather just drop, but also thinking he hasn't been toilet trained all that long!!

Yes, I would stay and would be very surprised if a parent dropped and left if it was my ds's party. It's a good way to get to know the other parents?

I hosted a party for my DTD's 4th birthday this weekend. All the parents stayed. I think that's pretty much standard until they're 5ish or settled at school.

I would most definitely be staying with him. Can't imagine my 3 year old staying on his own, even with friends, when he doesn't know the parents/house. I also wouldn't expect anyone to drop a lo off at a party at ours and leave them either.

Hope that helps

Def stay or you will be forever known as the mum who abandonned her 3 yo dd at so and so's party... If it's within wlaking distanceand you get offered wine - enjoy - I have many friendships which are borne out of wine drinking at toddlers do's!!!

No way would I consider leaving a 3 year old at a party.

The norm where we are is you don't dump and run before 5. Having said that I know a few who did it from 4 and were always surprised to find their dc being comforted by another parent when they came back to collect. Some parents learnt from that but others didn't. Ds is in year 1 and I always give him the choice of whether he wants me to stay or go.

It wouldn't even cross my mind to leave them. I still stay with DS who has just turned 6.

A good party host will expect you to stay and should provide some encouragement like wine.

Oops okay Thank you! Sadly can't drink wine as 7 months pregnant...Probably over confident with how well the kids know each other and I read a thread about a 4 year olds party where they didn't want/expect parents to stay so wasn't sure.

My DD's third birthday party was a 'grown-up' tea party. 6 friends, who all knew us well, were dropped at our house for colouring, a few simple party games and some tea.
It worked really well and there were no tears, and everyone behaved beautifully.

BUT, I was 100% clear on the invites that I wasn't expecting parents to stay. It is a slightly unusual situation and I suspect that in the absence of any other information you would be expected to stay.