Late Birthday Parties
June 27, 2009 by Eliza Ferree
Filed under Family, Parenting
What is the average time for a birthday party? Is there any time you won’t allow your child to attend a birthday party? I know it is summertime and all but I was curious on this. We were recently invited to some summer birthday parties, some of
IMG: Sxc.hu
Saturday noon-2pm
Saturday 2p.m.-4p.m.
Sunday 3p,m. -6p.m.
Wednesday 6:30p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Growing up we were only allowed those after lunch and before dinner. I’m guessing this was to make sure we were fed before we went to the party so we wouldnt’ ask or say, “I’m hungry, got anything to eat.” Before dinner so my parents made sure we ate a good meal and not just cake and ice cream. We never went to parties on a Sunday though as that was a day of rest and church. During the weeks, not a chance.
As a parent I’m almost the same way, I do not allow the kids during the week unless it is on our block (only) and ends before 7p.m due to baths and bed. Sundays are okay as long as it is more after noon because I believe in spending time with my own family or sleeping in (not that I ever get to do that).
Currently my kids feel I’m being unfair with this as they have had to miss two birthday parties due to the times. However, even though it is summer I still go off my regular rules. Just because they do not have school does not mean the rest of us do not work. What are your thoughts?
Well, if it were on a school night it would be more of an issue. You didn’t mention the ages of the kids, so it is hard to base an opinion on that. During the summer, I don’t think an 8:30 end time is too big of a deal. Especially when you consider that a lot of parents work until 5 and getting home and getting ready takes time. I’m sure they would have complaints either way — I’ve found that no matter what I do to try and be accommodating, there are still people that will complain about something.
Let’s see…complaints at my son’s last birthday:
Time is too early (it was a Saturday brunch, starting at 10:30), it is going to cut into ______’s cartoon time (well, geez, sorry about that)
End time is too late (1), such and such a game is on and I need to be home to watch it — could I just pick my kid up later, or have you just drop him off? (uh..no)
The food you are serving is too healthy (we had homemade breakfast burritos, fruit and various muffins) – could you make a hot dog for my kid? (again, no)
These were basically strangers calling me and requesting these things…seems like nobody is ever really satisfied. My husband and I took on
10, 5 year olds without batting an eye. I thought the parents would be thankful to have a few hours of alone time on a Saturday morning.
Summer is tricky because kids are out of school and people try to beat the heat. Last Saturday was my daughter’s party from 4:30 to 7 and most people thought it was fine, except for it being the day before father’s day. We had dinner (healthy stuff) for all forty people (kids and their families) so that might have made it a bit different.
@Lindsey My children are ages 2,5, 8 and 12. With the age ranges and an entire family invite this kind of makes it hard for us to go to late parties due to the younger ones. Wow, I’m shocked by some of the responses you posted as parents reasons for not going. I haven’t thrown a party in a long while because of that very issue, the last big one I threw at a movie theater only three families showed up and it was well planned and cost some money so I stick with just family now. On occasion I have allowed the kids to invite ONE friend over but I think the next big one will be birthday 13 and probably 10 for BalletGirl. As for going to them, I try to make sure we are home by 7-8ish that way we stick with a routine due to school and daddy working.
@Lori Z I think that is a great time to be honest because we’d be getting home sometime between 7-8 p.m. I love that more people are doing “Healthy” meals when serving at parties. I remember a party I once had where I served healthy food and everyone told me how awful it was to serve “good” food and not junk food. After that I stopped serving food and would just do cake and ice cream.
Can I ask you both how old your children are?
@Eliza – I was told the exact same thing about serving good, healthy food. Apparently birthdays are supposed to be all about junk food — and they can be. I let my kids pick their favorite foods for their parties. If they want junk, they can have junk. It is just one day, after all. The problem is they just keep picking healthy things like carrots and hummus. I guess I’ll just have to deprive their friends, because I’m sure as hell not depriving mine.
Also, the kiddos are 6 mos. (today!), 3 and 5.