Child Bday Party Etiquette

Chuck E. Cheese is one of those parties where you need to decide if your child is definetly going or not going and let the parents know. It is not a cheap party to throw. As far as your pizza, they may or may not be getting stuff for the parents. Generally the host will buy drinks at least. And frankly, it is so crazy there eating can be end up being "optional". If you haven't ever been in Chuck E. Cheese go there and see what it is like before you respond. Your kid might be okay missing a nap and going or she might be so overstimulated you will have an inevitable melt down.

Myself (personally) I would not go.
Are you good friends with this childs parents that they invited you?
You have a 2 year old girl why in heavens name would they want her at an 8 year olds birthday???? That is a 6 year age difference, would they invite a 10 year old to the sweet 16 party?? I don't think so.
If you are good friends then send a small gift, if not I would not worrie.

I have held a Chuck E. Cheese party and parents are welcome. Also, being that your child is young you do need to be there to help him. I had about 4 parents stay just to help keep an eye on kids and to help the younger ones. If you don't go, I would still drop off a small gift because they are neighbors and you want to keep relations good.

I don't know how else to say this, so here it goes:
I don't understand why your neighbor would invite a 2-year old to an 8-year old's birthday? Unless you're really good friends, I hope it's not to rack up more gifts. (I'm sorry I know that was mean but it was my first thought in reading your post.)

8-year old kids whiz through that joint like bats out of hell, all hopped up on soda and cardboard pizza. The games and ball pit are sticky and not the most sanitary, and the bigger kids are jumping and hopping and running everywhere like little monkeys. When my oldest daughter was between 4 and 6 she thought it was a blast but my youngest (1 or 2 at the time) was miserable. She was too little and fragile for me to let her walk around freely without being mowed over, and there wasn't very much for her to do. Oh - and the Chuck E Mouse that walks around? My kids are STILL petrified to this day.

It's always loud and crazy in there and most of the parents just let the kids do whatever they want. But don't get me wrong, it is a fun time for the older kids, and I know it costs the hosting parent's a decent amount of money, so I don't mean to completely bash it. It's just never been my cup of tea.

Frankly, I would hold off on Chuck E Cheese as long as you can! I'm sure you'll have many more invites in the future to look forward to. Send a gift down to their house and skip the party.

Also, in the future - I think parent's hosting the party expect you to stay when you have a toddler. I think a good age to drop your kids off at a party like that is age 5.

I recommend just buying a small gift, and skipping the party.
Your daughter won't miss anything but chaos, and it will save you a headache and a missed nap.
Just tell the parents you don't think your daughter is ready for Chuck E. Cheese, and thanks for the invite.

Usually at Chuck E. Cheese, the parents stay, especially if the child is that old. ( the Characters can be a little scary for the little ones sometimes.)Otherwise, if you didn't stay, how would your child get there? drop off and pick up or would they drive? Don't even ask the question about "paying for your pizza - I'm guessing they are thinking that you would be going too. Just verify this with the neighbor if you are to go. If you do not go....just a little present would do (i.e. $5.00 McD. gift certificate?/little bracelet?) Bigger present if she attends (i.e. Gift certificate for Target, Justice for Girls gift certificate - fun!, etc..., etc....) Good luck.