Okay, so... I live in an apartment complex. I can't stand it, but we just haven't managed to get into a house yet. My daughter started kindergarten this year, and she wants to have a party that she can invite her new friends to. We've been aiming for a party at Amazing Jake's, but I don't want to limit the number of girls she can invite because of the cost factor (we're already limiting it to girls only because my husband is insisting it be that way).
We don't know any of the other parents, so I'd like to welcome them to accompany their children. I can only imagine they won't be extremely comfortable with dropping their kids off with us either, being as we're strangers to them... but we can't afford to pay for everyone to be there.
So, I've been thinking about having her party at the clubhouse here at the complex. I'm thinking it will be warm enough to enjoy a dip in the pool, so that can be the main source of entertainment for the kids, and there'll be enough room for everyone, including the parents... and it might be a better venue to allow interaction with the parents, to get to know them all better.
Is this a bad idea? Do you think the other parents will look down on a party located in an apartment complex clubhouse? Is it the wrong time of the year to be planning a pool party? It's going to be on the 22nd of March, so I've only got a couple of days before I need to send out the invitations. I'd have the party at a park near the school, but then I have to worry about entertaining everyone. I've got an autistic 4-year-old and a newborn to be keeping track of, too... I don't want to overload myself. I don't really have anyone nearby to help me out with this thing.
Proud Mother of 3
I have been to a couple of
I have been to a couple of parties in apartment complexes and I thought they worked out really nice! You may want to go stick your toe in the pool though, if it's not heated it may be too cold for a dip. Other than that, it is a nice place for a large group to meet and will keep your cost down. We went to one that was a pool party and another that was a princess party. At the princess party (which was indoors the entire time) there were crafts, like make-your-own crown, etc. If you don't use the pool, you will need some thing for the kids to do. Have fun!
Hobbymommy, 38, is a discussion leader from Mesa. She is a happy stay-at-home mommy to a 3-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son.
A friend of mine lives in an
A friend of mine lives in an apartment and she had her daughter's party at the clubhouse. It was great! I wish that I had a clubhouse for parties! (no frantically cleaning your house to look like the cover of Good Housekeeping!).
I would suggest hiring a lifeguard. We do for all of our pool parties and it is SUCH a HUGE peace of mind for you and all of the other parents. Call the YMCA and ask for a name there. We usually get a name or two from the local Catholic HS, because the kids have service hours to perform, so many of the senior girls, get certified as life guards to help with that and also for summer jobs.
"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein
I don't believe anyone would
I don't believe anyone would look down on a party at an apartment complex. If they do you probably don't want to associate yourself with people like that anyways. If there is a grass area outside of the complex you can maybe rent a bounce house. I think the pool would be too cold too. Craft kits at Michaels are fun, decorating sugar cookies, making necklaces or braclets are fun too. Pizza, cake, ice cream and crafts should keep the girls occupied for a few hours. Have fun!
Jennifer is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com and mommy to four beautiful girls who range from 9 to 4 years of age.