Do you ATTEND kids' parties w/ your child?

[cotomom]

I always took DS when he was little but stopped when I found out they wouldn't let me play any games.

But did they give you a goody bag?

 

[challada]

Wow...am I the only one that has the kid that gives direct instructions on "parent party manners" on the way to each party?

Usually, my DD tells me "mom, you ARE leaving as soon as you drop me off, right?"...she started doing this at about age 3 for parties and is now a wise woman of 6.

Sometimes I stay and gab, sometimes I leave. I usually leave it up to the PARENT throwing the party and ask them if they need help.

DS at 11 definitely gets dropped off and would DIE if I said "I'm staying".
DD at 6 is getting to be more drop off than my staying with her, but if it was up to her, it would be drop off only.

 

[CEDmom]

So far I've stayed for all the parties my 6 1/2 yo DD has gone to. Mostly because she wants me there but also because I like meeting/talking with other parents and I'll admit it, I'm a tad overprotective. For a pool party I'd absolutely stay or she wouldn't go. My DD isn't a very good swimmer but I've seen even good swimmers get into trouble in a crowded pool. I know I never expect the party givers to provide refreshments for me and I don't think most other parents do either.

 

[Beth76]

Didn't read any other responses. My son turned 5 in April. This year (pre-k) was the first year we ever did any drop off parties. All other years, parents stayed. There haven't been any pool parties, but if there were, I would have stayed for that. If it was my pool party I would require parents to stay. Not sure what my age cutoff would be for no parents at a pool party. We're not close to that age yet. It would probably be pretty high. Like around 8 or 9.

ETA: There were two parties at Chuck E Cheese this year and parents did stay for those. There was a party at a Bounce place and a gymnastics place where parents did not stay. Those are a little more private than CECs.

 

[Beth76]

Any words of wisdom or advice for if and when those Moms call asking if their other children can attend? How about any that just show up on the day of?

I would send a note with the invitations saying "Parents are welcome to stay to supervise their child. Please no siblings though."

ETA: Or if you want the parents to stay: "I ask that at least one parent accompany the child. Please no siblings though."

 

[MoniqueU]

I have 8,9 and 13 year olds so I rarely stay. Even with a pool party. We have our own backyard pool and i just feel my kids are strong swimmers and actually only get invited to two close friends pools anyway and I know they keep a good eye on them.

My daughter 9 did get invited to a Luau pool Party for girl scouts and she wants me to go so I said yes. There won't be that many times in the future she will want me there so I better make the most of the special times she offers me now.

 

[polly p]

I don't stay anymore. DD is 8 now and is a good swimmer. but quite honestly it depends on who is having the party. If I don't know the parents of the b'day child I check things out thoroughly and will stay if I'm not comfortable with the party situation.

 

[Az Pirates]

DD 7 went to a pool party a couple of weeks ago and I did just drop off.
But I knew the mom had hired a couple of teens who are lifeguards at the local waterpark to work the party and there were only 8 girls (including the birthday girl) attending.
I think the kids were much safer at that party than at the nieghborhood party we went to on Memorial Day.
Plenty of parents around, but no one specifically assigned pool duty. I swear some parents had no idea when their kid was or was not in the pool area. Crazy!

I hope the sibling thing works out for you.
I think it's incredibly rude for people to bring siblings who were not invited to a party, but it does happen, and it's probably more likely to happen at a party that parents feel they need to stay for (like your pool party...sorry)

The last time I had the sibling issue come up I told the mom that little brother was welcome to stay and participate but that I only had enough prizes, goodie bags, Baskin Robbins clown cones etc. for invited guests and asked her if he would be OK with that.
She didn't leave him.

I hope the party is a great success!

 

[PaulaSue]

Depends on place and how well I know the parents.

For a swimming party I would stay and have the other girls with dad or my parents.