https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:27:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761813 Tue, 25 Jul 2017 19:53:06 +0000 MissKriss19 2761813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends! My oldest is 4. I stayed at the first "school friend" party that he went to at a play place this past fall. There were were a handful of kids there that got dropped off that ended up becoming MY responsibility lol. Seriously, no one was looking after them and they really did need a parent. I had to help them go to the bathroom, console them when they got hurt on the jungle gym, serve them food &amp; drinks, etc. I felt so bad for the parents hosting the party, they had enough on their plate without having to parent these kids too. One girl at the party was white as a ghost and said she felt like she was going to throw up the whole time. Her parents didn't leave a number. She couldn't even eat any of the food bc she was allergic to everything. Nightmare. Another little boy cried for his mom the whole time. I felt so bad for him. Anyways, because of that experience Im very picky about what parties my son says yes to and i always stay at the parties. Usually I ask the parent if it's ok if I bring my younger son along too (he's only 1 year younger) and then I help the parents host as much as I can as well if they want. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761382 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 21:24:32 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2761382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: oh I didn't mean to make it sound like I wouldn't allow parents to stay! I just didn't know how to let people know it was an option. My son will have a very small Kinder class this year (about 11-12 kids), so I don't want to leave off just 2-3 kiddos. It seems mean. I know I can just suck it up (I know all the parents in my son's class professionally and so I feel like I have to be "on" at parties, which I'd like to avoid in my own home, but it isn't the end of world.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761247 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 13:27:42 +0000 mediagirl 2761247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since our parties always revolve around water, I think it will be a while before we have a drop-off party. Next year we are having it at a pool and the invite will specify that one parent for each child must attend the party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761188 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 11:39:23 +0000 FaithFertility 2761188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Yes! I had an innocent at G's 1st bday with kids running away and their parents were there!!!!! Nope! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761187 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 11:38:33 +0000 FaithFertility 2761187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll stay until forever lol<br /> I've seen a few things at parties already so nope </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761181 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 11:18:40 +0000 Mommy Finger 2761181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of my very good friends had a drop off party for her 5 yo daughter and made it clear that it was a drop off party. It was held at the park district. DS1 had just turned 4 so I wasn't sure how he would handle it. I trust my friend but stayed for a little bit until my son was comfortable as he didn't know 95% of the kids there. It ended up being totally fine and I went home for about an hour. But I don't think I would be comfortable with a drop off party with someone I didn't know well for a few more years </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761139 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 10:13:08 +0000 snowjewelz 2761139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's a no drop for me (till I don't know how old, haha). Even if it's her cousins, there are only so many eyes and unless there is someone that will watch my kids and my kids only, I rather stay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761130 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 09:52:44 +0000 Worrywart 2761130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had my daughter's 5th birthday party this past Saturday. While it wasn't officially a "drop off" party, about half of the parents asked if they could. I said if your child felt comfortable, it was fine by me. At this age, and with most of the children having been friends for 2-3 years, I feel comfortable with drop off. I think it depends on the child. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761093 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 08:22:09 +0000 yoursilverlining 2761093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I probably wouldn't drop my 5 year old off at a party just yet; but I might depending on how comfortable I was with the parents and/or the party and venue. We just had LO's 5th birthday party (at our house) and nobody was dropped off and no parents asked me about dropping off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761071 Mon, 24 Jul 2017 05:40:10 +0000 Adira 2761071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it would depend on how close we are to the family who will be watching my kids. My kids have severe food allergies, so I'm currently not comfortable dropping them off except with people I know are extremely conscientious of their allergies (daycare and my parents). Xander is 4 and is aware of his allergies, but I think he'd still trust an adult who gave him food and wouldn't question whether the food was actually safe for him. Maybe when he's 5, he'll have a better handle of his own allergies, but we're not there yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761050 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 21:23:20 +0000 caterw 2761050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I knew the parents very well and it was either at their fenced in home or one of the local places where the kids can't escape (for instance, the bounce place has a door that can only be opened by a staff member putting a code in), then that would be ok with me. No pools and no sleepovers at that age. My daughter is almost 4 so I could see her being ready for this in a few months- it's not terribly different than preschool or VBS in my opinion if you trust the adult throwing the party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761039 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 20:34:55 +0000 Truth Bombs 2761039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoyfulKiwi: All the parents of our invitees are close friends of mine so I just texted them "yo, I'm having DD's party from 5-8 on this date, just plan to drop the kids off and enjoy a night off". So it was really casual. But they are also all the type of friends that walk in my house without knocking so they all know that if they WANT to stay and watch Princess Elena do dance lessons with the kids rather than leave they are welcome to 😂 Honestly, I really don't think you can not at least gives parents the option to stay if they want to. I would be very uncomfortable if someone told me that my child was invited to their home but I was not allowed to stay if I wanted to. If you are uncomfortable with certain parents in your home, I think you should leave those children off the invite list. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2761020 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 18:51:00 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2761020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If the parents hosting said it was an option, it was a family I trust and know, and if I trusted the environment (like a house or maybe an enclosed activity area).. yes! I think at age 4-5 I would. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760988 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 13:11:37 +0000 sunnyday 2760988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I know the parents, I typically know it's a family party, and we stay, plus siblings too. If it's a school party, there all typically drop off parties, I stayed the first time without even thinking and it was kinda awkward! My DD1 is bad with goodbyes so I definitely don't rush out and then exhange cell's with the host parent and feel comfortable leaving her, all of those have been outside of the home parties. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760976 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 11:48:49 +0000 mamabolt 2760976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on location but if we knew family throwing the party well I'd drop my 5yo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760966 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 09:04:32 +0000 Beehive 2760966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoyfulKiwi: For our son's friend's party, they said "Drop off 5:00pm, pick up 6:30pm". For our party in a few months, I might say something on the invitation like "Drop-offs are welcome, or feel free to stay and hang out with us". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760964 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 08:44:56 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2760964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: @Beehive: How did you let parents know it was a drop-off party? If we have our son's party at home, I'm leaning towards letting parents know they don't need to stay. It's kind of a complicated situation, but I'd be more comfortable without certain parents in my house. I just don't know how to politely ask parents not to come!</p> <p>Thanks for sharing all your feelings &amp; experiences. I would say I wouldn't want to drop my kid off at, like, a Chuck E Cheese! I don't think I'd mind the extra work of supervising kids (I'm a preschool/Kinder teacher and there'd be adult family family members around), although that's definitely a factor to consider when deciding to drop my own kid off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760961 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 08:26:05 +0000 Beehive 2760961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our son is 5 in October. A few months ago I would have been on team no-drop-off, but a friend from preschool had a drop-off party at a kid's gym, and it was amazing. I was actually disappointed that the next school friend birthday party wasn't a drop-off! For our son's 5th birthday party, I'm thinking of doing it as an optional drop off (feel free to drop off your kid, or you can hang out with us). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760955 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 07:38:45 +0000 JerricaBenton 2760955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't gotten there yet, but I would think once they are in school all day they'd be fine at a party for a few hours. Obviously it would depend on the location and other factors, and I would only leave if all the other parents were dropping off too. I remember my first drop off party was in 1st grade so 6ish sounds right to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760953 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 07:23:57 +0000 SugarMaple 2760953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>By school age, I think kids are ready if you trust the environment. 5 year olds don't need an adult by their side any longer. However most parties in my circle are house parties, which is much easier/safer to supervise. If the party was at a more public/unpredictable environment I might hang around. I am a clingier parent then most of my friends though, I know they would drop and run ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760951 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 07:02:03 +0000 KayKay 2760951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would depend on location, how well I knew the parents, and what my kid wanted me to do (one is kinda shy and would probably want me to stay unless she was super-comfortable!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760949 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 05:31:31 +0000 yin 2760949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At my 6 year olds birthday party, I had only one grandmother who asked if it was okay to drop off her grandson. I was fine with it and just paid extra attention to him since he didn't have a grown up. Two months later at a classmate's birthday party, about half the guests were dropped off. It was definitely more work on the hosts since they wanted to make sure all of the kids had plenty of food and general needs taken care of. They did a great job. </p> <p>Since my kids have food allergies, I hesitate to leave them at anyone's house for a party, especially with food involved and not knowing the family as well. DH dropped him off at a party last year, but DH stayed in the parking lot the whole time. Haha. It was also for our neighbor who lives across the street, and we know them pretty well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760947 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 04:48:51 +0000 Truth Bombs 2760947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is turning 5 this fall and we are having our first drop off party. But it's in our home and all the children coming are very close family friends. My group of friends swaps babysitting all the time so I have babysat every child invited to the party in my home before, most of them have even had sleep overs at my house. We are having princess Elena come to the house and she will be entertaining the kids the whole time so it seemed silly to have the parents stick around and watch Elena entertain their kids when they could be out enjoying a break. The party is also 5-8pm on a Friday night so prime time to enjoy being kid free!!</p> <p>So yeah, we are having a drop off party but in a really specific situation that makes it work. I don't think I'm comfortable yet to drop my kid off at a public venue. There are just too many variables and it's too much to expect the host parents to be able to keep an eye on tons of kids while also hosting a party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760946 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 03:46:52 +0000 Grace 2760946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My almost 4 year old has been to 3 drop off parties this summer. My husband has stayed for an hour or so, and then my daughter tells him to go. They are all daycare friends at their houses. The ones that have not been drop offs have been in public places. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760943 Sun, 23 Jul 2017 02:56:50 +0000 lamariniere 2760943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My two LOs (3 and 6) were invited to the same parties this winter. We dropped them off together. It was great to have free babysitting on two weekend afternoons! When we had my DS's 5th birthday party, the only parents who stayed were our friends. The kids ranged from 4-6. Around here it seems like kids are dropped off at 5. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760927 Sat, 22 Jul 2017 21:27:03 +0000 irene 2760927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wasn't ready myself, but then I went to several 5 year old birthday parties and apparently, they made it clear that it is ok to drop off. Many parents stayed and there were also a few that headed out in each of these parties. </p> <p>So far I dropped my DS (5+ yo) off once at a children's gym place. We had another birthday at the same franchise before and it is an enclosed area with no way out. It is also bright and well attended, so I believe kids won't be lost. I was solo-parenting that weekend and I really needed that one hour to run to the grocery store so I have enough time to run the rest of the activities for the rest of the weekend. I talked to DS extensively to make sure it was OK for me to drop him off for an hour, and I let the host know before I dashed out and did my errands as fast as I could. It was all OK. I came back as soon as I was done and they were eating cake.</p> <p>I think it is OK at this age as long as you trust the environment and your child, and you talk to your child prior to the event to make sure it is OK. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760919 Sat, 22 Jul 2017 20:53:06 +0000 maddyz 2760919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids aren't there yet, but I could totally imagine doing A 5 year old off at a party for two hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760890 Sat, 22 Jul 2017 18:10:19 +0000 Canoli 2760890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's a nope for me. Too young in my opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760889 Sat, 22 Jul 2017 17:51:17 +0000 dolphin 2760889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, 4-5 is too young. I would be okay with it when they're older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-kids-at-a-birthday-party#post-2760887 Sat, 22 Jul 2017 17:42:51 +0000 looch 2760887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, at drop off places, I have seen kids wander away from the parties and you just never know if some shady person is around and nabs your kid. </p>