I usually ask prior to the kids parties if parents are to stay or leave. Most leave it up to other parents. Depending on what’s going on that day and if I know the parents I may stay or leave them and come collect at the end of the party. I’ve had others drop their kids off. It’s no trouble.

This is how I always did it, and parents did for parties at mine. I did use to check in with the parents before I left though, just in case, they were always fine with me going

I think dropping kids off for a birthday party is fine given that you are considerate and ask the party host prior to, and then on the day you take your kids in and either say hi to the host or introduce yourself and your children, leave a contact number if the host needs you urgently and be back prior to the end of the party to collect your child. Ultimately it is up to the host as it is their house and they are running the party. Sometimes it feels awkward if your the only parent that stays especially if you don’t know the host parent at all!

I suppose it has to be made clear on the invite whether parents are expected to stay or not

This usually happened all the time in the olden days, but not in these modern times. Then we always knew all the parents and all the children.

I am the staying and helping type!

I can remember going to a couple of kids’ birthday parties. I would have been about 10 y.o. My parents knew the birthday girl’s parents well. We lived nearby so I walked to the party. It was still bright daylight when the party finished so I walked home again. We knew the neighbours between the 2 houses. I don’t remember ever having a kids’ party. There was enough kids in relatives. Some parties especially if the children are young they make sure they cater for the parents too, even if it’s just chips & salad for lunch. I don’t know who started the goodie bag stunt. At least the last one my nephew was given had a couple of cheap toys in it, not just heaps of lollies.

People should always choose kindness over judgement.

I think it’s something that needs to b agreed to by both parties first. I remember it being normal for us to be dropped off at bday parties but things were a lot different in those days, we were much better behaved and parties were structured

I’d want to know the parents before I left a younger child with them. Not as much for older kids.

This is fairly standard behaviour, especially as most parties simply don’t have the room for the adults. I’ve made a point of meeting all my daughter’s friends parents so I not only know who’s who but what kind of people they are. Most parents will state on invites at our school that parents are welcome or required to attend.

Especially when my older 2 were younger, I was often chatting at school with the mums and you know with whom you leave your kid when they were invited at parties. I would always stuck around and ask if they need help.
Since we added two permanent foster children, live looks a bit different. The youngest has Down syndrome and the 8yr old has an impulse control disorder/kleptomania in the context of an attachment disorder.
I don’t feel for leaving my 8yr old alone at a party because she may steal.
I don’t feel for leaving my 5yr old alone at a party because she has a delay, is non verbal and people may not understand her.

I was lucky with my older kids as I knew all of the parents, we all had cuppas together at least once a week and some of us would walk to kinder/school together.

I stick around as I know my children would be nervous without me but I know a few parents who are comfortable leaving their child at that age and having people leave their children with them. Last year I am sure I read an article about how one mum didn’t want the mums to stay. She didn’t want to have to entertain them as well. I guess the best thing to do is ask.

I had a mum leave her child at a party I hosted when my daughter turned 5 which I thought was a bit young. It was hard as the party was at a play centre and I didn’t know the child. But I have since had parties at my own house and feel it’s easier to monitor the kids when the parents leave.

At that age, I would be introducing myself and sticking around

You need to know the people you are leaving your child with!

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 09 Dec 2018 , 5:36 am

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  Absolutely; our children are so precious and every care needs to be taken.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving my son in this situation unless I fully knew and trusted the parents hosting the party, and if they were ok with it. But to be honest, I love kids party food so I would probably stay just to sneak a few party pies when no one is looking haha

My daughter is only 3 but I feel at 6 it depends on a few factors including, your child and their general behaviour, are you known to the host, how many kids to adults, where is the party located (home or elsewhere) and if the hosting parent is comfortable with it.

It does depend a bit on the venue – some actually tell the parents of guests to go away. But generally the rule of thumb seems to be that you stay for young kids.