Another Bday party question

Ashlyn and Allyson have been invited by a little girl in their preschool class
to her birthday party next Saturday. (BTW, I was impressed-- we got two
invitations in the mail-- one addressed to each girl. Bonus points for that
mom!!) I know from previous discussions to get two gifts-- got that covered.
The party is being held at a local (small) children's museum. (We live in a
small town and "museum" always makes me think of a big place, but this place is
small-- like two rooms.) I called to RSVP and asked the mom if I needed to
stay at the party with the girls. I asked because the invitations were
addressed to them- not to our family. She said it was up to me that there
would be lots of adults there and it was fine to drop them off for the two
hours or I was welcome to bring the rest of the family and hang out. They got
a group rate for the museum, so it wouldn't matter cost-wise. Anyway, I'm
having a terrible time deciding whether to stay or not. I know the parents
fairly well and trust them. If I don't stay, though, I don't want them to
think I'm using the party for free babysitting. OTOH, I'm not really excited
about attending a kid's party where I really won't know many of the adults
there-- plus having to struggle with Jenna through the whole thing, finding a
place to nurse, etc. Ashlyn and Allyson said they would be fine staying with
the little girl's parents if I didn't stay. They're 4.5. What do y'all think?

-Cindy (mom to Ashlyn and Allyson 6/99 and Jenna 6/03)

Your girls are a month older than Alexis. We had this same situation occur
recently. Except she was invited to a party for 5 year old twin girls. We did
two gifts and it was at McDonalds. I know the mother fairly well and I could
have dropped her off, but I decided against it and just left the babies home
with DH. I am glad I did because the kids were running from the party room
back and forth to the play area.
I personally like to supervise Alexis at this age in both settings. So, I
would recommend going just because you never know how differently they might do
things. Like the SLUMBER PARTY post where they took the girls to the
movie??!!!! I would have flipped out. Just my two cents.


~Kimberly
Mommy to Alexis Iliana 07/17/99 and
Emma Elidia & Aislyn Gabriela 10/01/02
come see us...
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aislynemma/

Your girls are a month older than Alexis. We had this same situation occur
recently. Except she was invited to a party for 5 year old twin girls. We did
two gifts and it was at McDonalds. I know the mother fairly well and I could
have dropped her off, but I decided against it and just left the babies home
with DH. I am glad I did because the kids were running from the party room
back and forth to the play area.
I personally like to supervise Alexis at this age in both settings. So, I
would recommend going just because you never know how differently they might do
things. Like the SLUMBER PARTY post where they took the girls to the
movie??!!!! I would have flipped out. Just my two cents.


~Kimberly
Mommy to Alexis Iliana 07/17/99 and
Emma Elidia & Aislyn Gabriela 10/01/02
come see us...
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aislynemma/

Good question! I'm eager to see what the parents who have BTDT have to say

My best friend had a 6yo birthday party for her daughter in which I was asked
to help supervise. (She's pretty much the third light of my life.) She also
had her sister there to chaperone. There were maybe 12 children at a bustling
paint your own pottery place. Even at this age I was shocked that no mothers
stayed (most children were under 6 or just turned 6 themselves). My friend and
her sister said that people have dropped their children off at local ice cream
store parties, etc. at an age as young as 4yo to all our surprise. I have a
feeling I'll be considered an overprotective parent LOL!

Of course it's just my opinion, but even though you know the parents, you may
not be familiar w/the other adults there who are "helping". Plus, for parents
who are only used to a certain number of children, or they have their own child
there, it is highly likely that they will pay less attention to the
safety/security of another parent's child. It would be a tad easier to do if
it were at someone's home and you could question the events before the drop
off.

I guess I've just heard too many stories and, what I would have thought would
have been, rare frights. 4 1/2 just seems a little young to really be
responsible for oneself from a safety perspective.

Curious about other opinions,
Missy
Missy in Indiana http://hometown.aol.com/mhrust/overviewforng.html
Morgan Olivia & Julia Lucille 4/28/01 (YAY!)

Good question! I'm eager to see what the parents who have BTDT have to say

My best friend had a 6yo birthday party for her daughter in which I was asked
to help supervise. (She's pretty much the third light of my life.) She also
had her sister there to chaperone. There were maybe 12 children at a bustling
paint your own pottery place. Even at this age I was shocked that no mothers
stayed (most children were under 6 or just turned 6 themselves). My friend and
her sister said that people have dropped their children off at local ice cream
store parties, etc. at an age as young as 4yo to all our surprise. I have a
feeling I'll be considered an overprotective parent LOL!

Of course it's just my opinion, but even though you know the parents, you may
not be familiar w/the other adults there who are "helping". Plus, for parents
who are only used to a certain number of children, or they have their own child
there, it is highly likely that they will pay less attention to the
safety/security of another parent's child. It would be a tad easier to do if
it were at someone's home and you could question the events before the drop
off.

I guess I've just heard too many stories and, what I would have thought would
have been, rare frights. 4 1/2 just seems a little young to really be
responsible for oneself from a safety perspective.

Curious about other opinions,
Missy
Missy in Indiana http://hometown.aol.com/mhrust/overviewforng.html
Morgan Olivia & Julia Lucille 4/28/01 (YAY!)

This is the age where it all starts, 5/6. Have they gone on playdates by
themselves? Where you drop them off at a friends house and pick them up
later? If not then this might be the time to start. I would worry about
their reaction to being left. You know your own comfort level. If they have
gone on playdates then maybe. My girls didn't start alone playdates until
Kindergarten. Then the b-day parties became were drop off. Only one parent
stayed at the girls 6th bday (out of 8) and she was a really good friend.
--
Erin
Morgan and Megan 2/15/97
Evan 5/14/00

"Cindy Senger" wrote in message
...
Ashlyn and Allyson have been invited by a little girl in their preschool
class
to her birthday party next Saturday. (BTW, I was impressed-- we got two
invitations in the mail-- one addressed to each girl. Bonus points for
that
mom!!) I know from previous discussions to get two gifts-- got that
covered.
The party is being held at a local (small) children's museum. (We live in
a
small town and "museum" always makes me think of a big place, but this
place is
small-- like two rooms.) I called to RSVP and asked the mom if I needed
to
stay at the party with the girls. I asked because the invitations were
addressed to them- not to our family. She said it was up to me that there
would be lots of adults there and it was fine to drop them off for the two
hours or I was welcome to bring the rest of the family and hang out. They
got
a group rate for the museum, so it wouldn't matter cost-wise. Anyway, I'm
having a terrible time deciding whether to stay or not. I know the
parents
fairly well and trust them. If I don't stay, though, I don't want them to
think I'm using the party for free babysitting. OTOH, I'm not really
excited
about attending a kid's party where I really won't know many of the adults
there-- plus having to struggle with Jenna through the whole thing,
finding a
place to nurse, etc. Ashlyn and Allyson said they would be fine staying
with
the little girl's parents if I didn't stay. They're 4.5. What do y'all
think?

-Cindy (mom to Ashlyn and Allyson 6/99 and Jenna 6/03)

This is the age where it all starts, 5/6. Have they gone on playdates by
themselves? Where you drop them off at a friends house and pick them up
later? If not then this might be the time to start. I would worry about
their reaction to being left. You know your own comfort level. If they have
gone on playdates then maybe. My girls didn't start alone playdates until
Kindergarten. Then the b-day parties became were drop off. Only one parent
stayed at the girls 6th bday (out of 8) and she was a really good friend.
--
Erin
Morgan and Megan 2/15/97
Evan 5/14/00

"Cindy Senger" wrote in message
...
Ashlyn and Allyson have been invited by a little girl in their preschool
class
to her birthday party next Saturday. (BTW, I was impressed-- we got two
invitations in the mail-- one addressed to each girl. Bonus points for
that
mom!!) I know from previous discussions to get two gifts-- got that
covered.
The party is being held at a local (small) children's museum. (We live in
a
small town and "museum" always makes me think of a big place, but this
place is
small-- like two rooms.) I called to RSVP and asked the mom if I needed
to
stay at the party with the girls. I asked because the invitations were
addressed to them- not to our family. She said it was up to me that there
would be lots of adults there and it was fine to drop them off for the two
hours or I was welcome to bring the rest of the family and hang out. They
got
a group rate for the museum, so it wouldn't matter cost-wise. Anyway, I'm
having a terrible time deciding whether to stay or not. I know the
parents
fairly well and trust them. If I don't stay, though, I don't want them to
think I'm using the party for free babysitting. OTOH, I'm not really
excited
about attending a kid's party where I really won't know many of the adults
there-- plus having to struggle with Jenna through the whole thing,
finding a
place to nurse, etc. Ashlyn and Allyson said they would be fine staying
with
the little girl's parents if I didn't stay. They're 4.5. What do y'all
think?

-Cindy (mom to Ashlyn and Allyson 6/99 and Jenna 6/03)

I really appreciate all the responses. No, they haven't really been on a
playdate by themselves before. We've had friends babysit who have kids-- but
not someone of their own choosing from school or the like. The more I think
about it, the less comfortable I am about leaving them by themselves. If the
party was at someone's house, I don't think it would bother me as much-- but
being a public place where you never know who might walk in, I'm just not as
comfortable. Anyway, thanks again to all who responded!

-Cindy (mom to Ashlyn and Allyson 6/99 and Jenna 6/03)

In article I6jMb.27093$8H.62775@attbi_s03, says...

This is the age where it all starts, 5/6. Have they gone on playdates by
themselves? Where you drop them off at a friends house and pick them up
later? If not then this might be the time to start. I would worry about
their reaction to being left. You know your own comfort level. If they have
gone on playdates then maybe. My girls didn't start alone playdates until
Kindergarten. Then the b-day parties became were drop off. Only one parent
stayed at the girls 6th bday (out of 8) and she was a really good friend.
--
Erin
Morgan and Megan 2/15/97
Evan 5/14/00

"Cindy Senger" wrote in message
...
Ashlyn and Allyson have been invited by a little girl in their preschool
class
to her birthday party next Saturday. (BTW, I was impressed-- we got two
invitations in the mail-- one addressed to each girl. Bonus points for
that
mom!!) I know from previous discussions to get two gifts-- got that
covered.
The party is being held at a local (small) children's museum. (We live in
a
small town and "museum" always makes me think of a big place, but this
place is
small-- like two rooms.) I called to RSVP and asked the mom if I needed
to
stay at the party with the girls. I asked because the invitations were
addressed to them- not to our family. She said it was up to me that there
would be lots of adults there and it was fine to drop them off for the two
hours or I was welcome to bring the rest of the family and hang out. They
got
a group rate for the museum, so it wouldn't matter cost-wise. Anyway, I'm
having a terrible time deciding whether to stay or not. I know the
parents
fairly well and trust them. If I don't stay, though, I don't want them to
think I'm using the party for free babysitting. OTOH, I'm not really
excited
about attending a kid's party where I really won't know many of the adults
there-- plus having to struggle with Jenna through the whole thing,
finding a
place to nurse, etc. Ashlyn and Allyson said they would be fine staying
with
the little girl's parents if I didn't stay. They're 4.5. What do y'all
think?

-Cindy (mom to Ashlyn and Allyson 6/99 and Jenna 6/03)

I really appreciate all the responses. No, they haven't really been on a
playdate by themselves before. We've had friends babysit who have kids-- but
not someone of their own choosing from school or the like. The more I think
about it, the less comfortable I am about leaving them by themselves. If the
party was at someone's house, I don't think it would bother me as much-- but
being a public place where you never know who might walk in, I'm just not as
comfortable. Anyway, thanks again to all who responded!

-Cindy (mom to Ashlyn and Allyson 6/99 and Jenna 6/03)

In article I6jMb.27093$8H.62775@attbi_s03, says...

This is the age where it all starts, 5/6. Have they gone on playdates by
themselves? Where you drop them off at a friends house and pick them up
later? If not then this might be the time to start. I would worry about
their reaction to being left. You know your own comfort level. If they have
gone on playdates then maybe. My girls didn't start alone playdates until
Kindergarten. Then the b-day parties became were drop off. Only one parent
stayed at the girls 6th bday (out of 8) and she was a really good friend.
--
Erin
Morgan and Megan 2/15/97
Evan 5/14/00

"Cindy Senger" wrote in message
...
Ashlyn and Allyson have been invited by a little girl in their preschool
class
to her birthday party next Saturday. (BTW, I was impressed-- we got two
invitations in the mail-- one addressed to each girl. Bonus points for
that
mom!!) I know from previous discussions to get two gifts-- got that
covered.
The party is being held at a local (small) children's museum. (We live in
a
small town and "museum" always makes me think of a big place, but this
place is
small-- like two rooms.) I called to RSVP and asked the mom if I needed
to
stay at the party with the girls. I asked because the invitations were
addressed to them- not to our family. She said it was up to me that there
would be lots of adults there and it was fine to drop them off for the two
hours or I was welcome to bring the rest of the family and hang out. They
got
a group rate for the museum, so it wouldn't matter cost-wise. Anyway, I'm
having a terrible time deciding whether to stay or not. I know the
parents
fairly well and trust them. If I don't stay, though, I don't want them to
think I'm using the party for free babysitting. OTOH, I'm not really
excited
about attending a kid's party where I really won't know many of the adults
there-- plus having to struggle with Jenna through the whole thing,
finding a
place to nurse, etc. Ashlyn and Allyson said they would be fine staying
with
the little girl's parents if I didn't stay. They're 4.5. What do y'all
think?

-Cindy (mom to Ashlyn and Allyson 6/99 and Jenna 6/03)

If the
party was at someone's house, I don't think it would bother me as much-- but
being a public place where you never know who might walk in, I'm just not as
comfortable.

I think you just summed up what I was thinking, Cindy. I left my DD at a party
at a house when she was 4 but I don't think I'd have done that in a public
place. Can you get a sitter for Jenna?

Ellen
--------
Erin 6/26/95
Bradley & Alex 10/5/00