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Original poster

My son hates balloons popping at parties!

52 replies

taylormaid1 · 05/02/2022 18:07

My DS has been to a few parties and each time it's been a massive disaster - screaming, crying and wanting to 'go home' especially when balloons pop..

I'm at a loss, all
The other kids join in and have fun - he is clung to my leg the whole time.. it's upsetting to see, I contain his feelings as much as I can but it's hard..

When it's supposed to be fun

OP posts:

RedCandyApple · 05/02/2022 18:53

I was terrified of balloons as a child as hated them popping, still hate it now as an adult. Sorry no help ☹️

BethDutton · 05/02/2022 18:55

I hate popping balloons too and jump three feet and screech. No help either. Oh I’ve thought of something, as they get older parties get much smaller and balloons aren’t a thing so much. Your DS has my sympathy.

whoruntheworldgirls · 05/02/2022 18:56

My daughter (age 5) and a couple of her friends hate this too and get really upset, one girl has to leave until things settle down.
It is a shocking noise

StrychnineIntheSandwiches · 05/02/2022 18:56

Poor sausage.

I hate balloons popping too. I'm on edge when I see a toddler mauling one.

How about if you buy him a pack of balloons blow them up and let him pop them, in the garden so there's less reverb, might that help? It might take the drama out of the situation for him.

Might be ridiculous advice, so wait for someone more sensible to come along!

WanJames · 05/02/2022 18:58

I hate balloons too, I don’t think it’s that uncommon…I can’t even touch them.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 05/02/2022 18:58

The sound hurts my ears - proper pain followed by a whistling sound for ages.

If I were a small child, I'd be hollering to go home as soon as I realised the things that made my ears hurt were present, too.

RedCandyApple · 05/02/2022 18:58

I was in McDonald’s once when a woman working there came over to hand me some balloons for them, I really freaked out, I’ve tried to over come it since having children as children usually love balloons but I still find it difficult, and don’t even get me started on party poppers, they are banned in my house!

BethDutton · 05/02/2022 18:59

If he hates parties full stop I would decline invites and tell parent he doesn’t enjoy them, terribly sorry but would love a playdate sometime. We are all different. I’ve never had my own birthday party, don’t like them and I am mid 50s.

Hellocatshome · 05/02/2022 19:01

Lots of people hate balloons, if he doesnt enjoy parties he doesnt have to go. If it is a birthday of a close friend or family member you could old ask them in advance if there were any balloons and I'm sure some people (I would) will forego them so your DS can attend.

BethDutton · 05/02/2022 19:01

RedCandyApple my worst scenario is being asked to muck in and blow up a balloon. Jesus just shoot me! We wouldn’t be great party planners would we. I had a verrry small wedding.

Beamur · 05/02/2022 19:02

In all the kids parties I have been to, at least one kid hates balloons! My DD always preferred smaller parties.

RedCandyApple · 05/02/2022 19:04

@BethDutton

RedCandyApple my worst scenario is being asked to muck in and blow up a balloon. Jesus just shoot me! We wouldn’t be great party planners would we. I had a verrry small wedding.

I’m surprised to hear so many hate them too, I always felt like the odd one out growing up. My siblings use to blow up hundreds of balloons in the living room then let the dog in there who would go mad and pop them all, it was like torture!

luckylavender · 05/02/2022 19:06

I hated balloons popping when I was young. Not keen now. Also disliked fireworks, and never been over enamoured.

truthfullylying · 05/02/2022 19:07

This is a common fear/phobia/dislike.

I have a friend who never liked balloons or fireworks.

I would give him a bit of time off parties and try again in maybe six months?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 05/02/2022 19:20

@truthfullylying

This is a common fear/phobia/dislike.

I have a friend who never liked balloons or fireworks.

I would give him a bit of time off parties and try again in maybe six months?

I'm not phobic in the slightest. I just hate being in pain.

Now a child who knew they caused pain but couldn't articulate that might go on to develop a phobia - but it's not necessarily a psychological thing in the first instance.

FrecklesMalone · 05/02/2022 19:23

We had this with DS1. He refused to go into rooms with balloons. We ended up having buying lots if balloons and having one blown up in the house. We played with it really quietly at first and got him used to it. And drew smiley faces on it and talked to it like a friendly dog (I sounded deranged). After a few weeks we did some controlled popping with lots of warning. He got used to them and it stopped being an issue

Clymene · 05/02/2022 19:26

I love parties, can blow up balloons, like them a lot. Have a visceral fear of them popping.

A far as phobias go, as an adult, it doesn't have much impact

AlwaysLatte · 05/02/2022 19:27

Some kids just hate balloons. My two love popping them and the eldest has always popped them with his teeth! Every now and then we put 100 balloons on the trampoline for them to pop but we stopped having balloons at their parties after the one where a little friend was scared of them.

Original poster

taylormaid1 · 05/02/2022 19:27

Thanks everyone xx

He loves playing with balloons at home only, but the random nature of them popping at noisy party seems to send him into a really big meltdown..

I have to cuddle him, take him outside we do some deep breathing a return, he kind of joins in.. but is always on the sidelines needing support and encouragement from me.. which I can do..

I think it might be a good shout to decline invites but then I feel he would be missing out on new experiences and being with 'friends' he isn't massively social but I'd really like him to develop resilience and social skills..

We have another party next Saturday and another in March..

Not sure whether to put him through it again :/ ?

OP posts:

5128gap · 05/02/2022 19:28

Terrified of them all my life. I can't be in a room with them unless theyre contained and out of reach of small children. The most unbearable thing is to watch someone, usually a small child, squeezing one. Im literally sweating waiting for the inevitable and have to leave the room. To me is more strange that people don't mind.

Original poster

taylormaid1 · 05/02/2022 19:36

@5128gap bless you - this literally sounds like my son, he's only 3 and I'm sure will encounter more popping balloons :/

I think you feel the judgement from other parents too which is difficult.. look at you like an alien :/ I need to get better dealing with that and keep it light and positive!

OP posts:

Kshhuxnxk · 05/02/2022 19:37

Am no help to you either - terrified as a kid now do rapid eye blinking and fingers in my ears as an adult...............

Buildingthefuture · 05/02/2022 19:42

The poor boy…it’s definitely a “thing”. My DM is in her 70s and still cannot abide popping ballon’s. And they are bloody awful…it’s always such a shock!

Outfoxedbyrabbits · 05/02/2022 20:23

Three is very, very little still. Does he WANT to go to the parties? If not, just politely decline and take a break from them for a few months. If he does want to go, how about getting him some "magic/special/awesome party ear defenders"?

BethDutton · 05/02/2022 20:32

Outfoxedbyrabbits good advice.

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