Birthday Parties-Do you stay or go?

I've been having issues with seperation anxiety with my one DS (see previous post). They were invited today to a birthday party for a neighbor who is also in DS's class. Once there, he did not want me to leave so we left the party and my other DS stayed.

I was on another forum and most of the other mom's could not understand why I would leave my 4 year old at a party by himself. :unknw: #1 it was our neighbor who lives less than 2 minutes away. #2 "If" I stayed I would have been the only parent. #3 He would be there with his brother and his classmates.

My other DS was invited to a party where they put on the invite that parents were encouraged to stay and socialize upstairs while the kids enjoyed themselves in another part of the house.

So, what do you do?

Do you leave your kids at the party and enjoy your few hours of freedom or do you stay?

For me, if it's not on the invite that parents are allowed/encouraged to stay, I leave.

 

I think it would depend a lot on the party. The only parties so far were like chuck e cheese or a sports party at the Y where all the parents stayed. If it was in someone's house close to the house and I knew the people I would have no problem leaving my kids alone there.

It's kinda funny because when I was growing up I don't remember any birthday where the parents stayed, but I guess I don't remember much before I was 5 or so...

 

So far, we've always stayed but that's because my girls are only 3.5 & most of the parties they've been invited to have been for the older (6-15) children of friends & it's more like the whole family is invited. I'm thinking we'll start making the switch to just dropping them off within the next year or two as they're invited to parties for their own friends & like you, I would make my decision based on what was specified on the invite.

 

I've always stayed at the parties that my girls have been to. Honestly, leaving never crossed my mind, but I was never the only parent there either, so there were always several other parents and adults there. If it were an anxiety issue that one of my girls were having, I would probably stay, regardless if I was the only parent. But, these are my last two babies, so I try to enjoy every minute I can with them...I would rather be with them than not. However, I was different with my son. I probably would have left him there by himself, but he didn't need me around constantly either...the girls like having me close. So, I don't think bad of parents that leave, I really don't give it a second thought really, it's just that I like to stay with my girls...I guess I'm one of those parents

 

I think this current situation is unique. I might have left in that same scenario.

But, otherwise, I always stay. I believe we're getting to the age where the parties are going to be smaller, and the kids can start fending for themselves. We just got our first invite that specifically said "feel free to drop off and come back". We can't make that party, but I definitely would have done it because I know the mom and dad well enough to feel comfortable doing that. But, mine are only 4 months away from turning 6. Much different than a 4 year old, IMO. The norm around here is to stay at the party.

 

Given your son's situation and how close the neighbors house is to you, I would have left too. Any parties that my kids have been invited to, I have stayed but so have all the other parents.

 

I have stayed at all parties we have attended. Think I probably will for another year or so. But I also find that I need to help my kids make good healthy eating choices so staying also helps with that too.

 

My boys are only 3, but so far the parties they've been invited to, the parents all stayed. No drop-off parties yet. (And I'm not sure I'd want to host one at 4 either!) I think I'd be more comfortable with that closer to 5. But if like you said none of the other parents are there and I trust the hosts, I'd be happy for the break.

 

At this age, I would stay...but that's just me. I would leave my older girls-ages 6 or 8. I just feel like my 3 year olds are too little and I like to make sure I look after them myself.

Shannon