(Kids) Attending Parties
Attending Birthday Parties for Kids
- If the party is for children 3 or younger, parents are expected to attend the party with their invited child. If the party is for children over 3 and you aren't sure if parents should attend, ask the host when you RSVP (unless the invitation says "and family" or similar, which means the whole family is invited).
- Always RSVP in a timely manner (provided the invitation calls for an RSVP). Let the host know if you will be attending or not and the person/s who will be in attendance.
- If your child is invited to a party and ends up not going, you don't need to send a gift. If the invite was from a close friend or relative giving a gift might still be expected and would be a nice gesture, even if your child doesn't attend the party. Have your friends and relatives sign up for their own GiftStasher registries to make shopping for them (and their kids) fast and simple. Everyone gets the things they want and you avoid the awkwardness of guessing what to buy for the in-laws or the children of those ultra-picky parents!
- Unless they have also been specifically invited, do not allow siblings to tag along with the invited child to a birthday party. If you are also attending, it's generally considered ok to bring an infant sibling, but older siblings should not come along. It is also considered rude to ask the host if a sibling who wasn't invited (other than an infant you'd have to bring with you) can attend the party.
- If you are attending with your child, be sure to offer your help to the host. More than likely s/he'll politely refuse any help, in which case you don't need to keep pestering or offer again. If you are asked to help, stick to any directions given and don't be intrusive. Always ask before you use things such as kitchen equipment or a child's personal items like changing tables, sippy cups/bottle, and high chairs.
- Don't be late and remind your child of the proper way to act when they are a guest at someone's house. Remind them of proper table manner (chew with mouth closed, don't throw food, offer to help clean up, etc.), tell them to say "please" and "thank you", and let them know how to treat other's things (don't put feet on or climb the furniture, ask before using items, don't draw on walls, share toys, etc.).
- Remind your child that the gifts are for the birthday girl or boy and they aren't to be played with or touched once opened (unless the guest of honor offer the toys to them to try out). In case the birthday girl/boy does offer the toy to your child, remind your child to try it and then give it back. Tell them to be respectful, don't "hog" any toys, and especially DON'T break them!
- Encourage your child to participate in any activities at the party and remind them to be a good sport if there are competitive games. If they can't participate remind them to watch the events with interest (instead of sitting in a corner by themselves rolling their eyes at everyone).
- Be sure to put a card or tag on the gift a child brings to say who the present is from. You don't want the host to have to guess and it will help the parent keep track of who sent what when it comes time to write thank-yous later.
- Pick your kids up on time! Make sure your child thanks the host for inviting them before leaving.
