We went to a birthday party recently and it went on for several hours. A few times, I tried to convince my son that we had to leave but he didn't want to miss the cake, goody bags and unwrapping of gifts. I know all that's part of the thrill of the party but...Is it just me or is it OK to extend the party beyond two hours.
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.
I really think that 2 hours
I really think that 2 hours is long enough for every child to enjoy themselves, and anything beyond three is extremely excessive. I took myson to a birthday partyl ast month that was scheduled for 4 hours. Is it just me, but what do you do for 4 hours? The kids were all exhausted and when I got there to pick up my son the father and a few neighbors had already started having a few glasses of wine and some beer while the mother ran around like a chicken with her head cut off. That will be the last party we attend for longer than 2 hours. final analysis: excessive and ridiculous.
'well, for those of you, who
'well, for those of you, who like to leave your kids to go on vacation without them, I would think you would use this time to have a 4hr vacation with your husband, at least then your kid is occupied, having fun at someone elses expense, and then your kid is not wondering why you left them.',
" just my Opinion"
I have hosted kids' parties
I have hosted kids' parties (usually at a kiddie restaurant, like the one represented by a mouse) that DID run longer than 2 hours, maybe 2 1/2 hours, and that was probably pushing things a bit. When we are the hosts, my husband typically tends to get a bit antsy at about 1 1/2 hours and starts making it known (fairly tactfully) that things are winding down. I think two hours is plenty, especially for the under-8 crowd.
gabgirl
I really don't see what the
I really don't see what the big deal is. My son is nine and he has had a party at our house for the last several years.His birthday is in March.
The party is out doors he has a bouncier ,water balloon fights, water toys and other fun games.
His party last for three hours. I have never heard anyone complain. If they needed their child earlier ,then they simply picked him/her up with goody bag in tow.
In fact most of the party's he has gone to have been three hours.
The weather in March is perfect so having a three hour party doesn't seem so bad.If we had it indoors then I might reconsider.
It is his special day!
I can totally understand a
I can totally understand a longer party for a 9-year-old. I think it really depends on the age/attention span of the kids. Not to mention the entertainment that's involved.
DesertMom
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
I think it depends on the
I think it depends on the age and location. If you have bouncies at your house it can go longer because the kids can jump for hours. But if you don't have any entertainment you need to keep it to 2-21/2 hours. The older kids 10+ can go longer because they "hang" with their friends. Little ones, keep it to 2 max.
appreciate the input - i
appreciate the input - i think part of the problem is that my son's too young to be dropped off so after about two hours of small talk with other parents, I'm done. The other issue is that a long party cuts into our family time on the weekends.
Anyway, thanks
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.
It's interesting...not all
It's interesting...not all parents have a problem dropping off their little ones (under 7). I was suprised by this. I once put no drop offs when I had a party at a place that didn't have special bands for parents...still, I got a drop off, and nothing you can do if a parent doesn't even walk up to say hello.
We did do a 3 hour party once at a laser tag place. that's just how the party was set up....other than that, It's always been 90 min to 2 hours.
I understand your pain, tho. Weekends are the only time we both really can devote 100 percent to the kids (otherwise it's just one of us). And 2 hours is more than plenty for younger kids (even older kids from a mom's perspective). I can't imagine more than 3 hours for older kids, but by then you can drop off.
I own a party facility...Toy
I own a party facility...Toy Town and 2.5 hours is maximum for proper etiquette, but no less than 90 minutes. After too long, parents want to leave, food gets expensive and kids begin to quarrel.