7 year old birthday party ~ stay with or drop off?

[anewvance]

My daughter was invited to a birthday party on Sunday. We were just wondering, the party is for a 7 year old. At what age do you just drop off your child for a party? It's a swimming party if that matters? I thought it would be rude to just ask when I called to RSVP if we stay or leave. So what do you guys think, what should I expect from parents who have "been there done that"? Thanks.

 

[RitaZ.]

Swimming party? I'd definitely stay to keep an eye on my child.

 

[kidzmom3]

for small parties where the mom knows everyone invited, we started at 2nd grade. if its a whole class type of thing, and the mom wouldn't know my child from a hole in the head, I stay. Also, my DD is in the 4th grade and has been dropped off since 2nd, but at a recent party at Bonkers (a big arcade with climing structures and a couple of small rides), the mom wanted all parents to stay. But, she didn't let people know in advance, so it was an inconveinance for some parents. Honestly, it doesn't hurt to ask. "Should parents stay or just drop off", that way if she wants you to stay, she will tell you. And if she doesn't care she will tell you you can stay if you want.

 

[mamacatnv]

Pool - Backyard or Community w/Lifeguard? - backyard I would stay, lifeguard I would be okay with departing.

I don't think it is rude to call the parent and ask them their expectations.

My DD is 7 and I left her at a pool party this past fall, I knew both the parents and it was at the community pool with a lifeguard so I knew she was being watched.

 

[mommytotwo]

I would personally ask if I should stay or just drop off my child when putting in my rsvp. Sometimes parents don't think parents will stay, so they will not think of getting extra foods and drinks. And sometimes, maybe they will need the help of you being their or may feel more comfortable with you there to keep an eye on your child especially since it is a pool party.

 

[daisyduck123]

My DS8 has had swimming parties for his last 2 birthdays...we invited the whole class (25+ kids) both times.

Ask the mom when you RSVP.
I did not find it rude when the parents asked me if they should stay or go.

There was only 1 parent who I did want to definitely stay....I knew her son could not swim a stroke.

Some stayed, some did not. It did not matter to me.
BTW...I am a teacher at the school, so I knew most of the kids though.

 

[minkydog]

It depends on a lot of things. Whether I know the parents, whether my child is an expert swimmer, how much supervision, etc. I'm with a previous poster who said they would leave their child at a community pool with a lifeguard but not at a private home. I just would not feel comfortable with the level of supervision, considering the parents are trying to run the party and may not really be watching the kids closely.

 

[PaulaSue]

If your DD is 7, mine is, I would let her stay alone, until I read it was a swimming party. If it were me, When I RSVPed I would state that I will be staying (since it was a swim party) to help and if there would be a charge (don't remember if you said it was at the parents house) for me to do so that I would be happy to pay for it.

Good Luck.

 

[va32h]

Normally, I would say drop them off at age 7 - actually, I have dropped mine off at age 5 or 6. But a pool party, I would probably stay, because my kids are not very strong swimmers, but they don't necessarily believe that. I could easily see them telling the host "sure I can swim" and then find themselves halfway to drowning.

As a hostess, I prefer that parents drop off their kids - I am usually busy with the party activities and don't have time to entertain a group of adults or fetch them refreshments too. And my experience has been that the kids behave better when their parents aren't around! But I wouldn't host a pool party, either, because I'd be too worried about the safety of all the guests.

When you call to RSVP, I'd just ask "would you prefer that parents stay for the party, or drop off?"

 

[Kimberle]

All the parents stayed at my dd's 7th birthday party. Other parties, some stay, some don't.

For a swimming party, I'd definently stay. When you call to RSVP, just say "I hope you don't mind if I stay as xxx would not be comfortable". I'm sure the host parents won't mind. If they do, well then I wouldn't think it'd be a party I'd want my child to attend.

 

[anewvance]

Ok, I asked Hannah about the swimming since it said to bring a suit & towel. They don't actually have a pool, so I guess they are talking about maybe the sprinklers & little blow up or something? She went to a party last year that was like that. She goes to a very small school, has 15 in her class and everyone does know everyone. I couldn't tell you the little girls parents names but we know that they are very nice and they are one of those parents that are involved in everything and always do the best projects (not to show off but just because they love to do them and do them well). So i'd have no worry at all about leaving her if she were to go over there on a regular play date or even for a party. Heck, my daughter has been invited to a sleep over next month! So I guess it's just we'll do what everyone else does... if they start to leave, i'll leave too. Just sitting outside in the hot sun doesn't not float my boat...

p.s. for any type of swimming party, my daughter is a VERY strong swimmer. She's actually looking into going into a swim team for the summer so I really don't worry.