I think you have to gauge by their maturity and also how well you know the parents. I would say, if you are concerned, don't leave them alone at all, ever. Even if she's 12, you'll never say, it's better that they're not embarrassed than if they get violated.
Just be safe and trust your gut. YOu'll know when the time is right.
The answer is IT DEPENDS--if you know the family, OR if you know another parent well that IS staying if you can't--I remember taking 'turns' with other moms. Just check your gut and that will tell you what you should do. I don't think I would have done it at all before 2nd or 3rd grade but that's just me.
My son is almost 7, and I am just beginning to be okay with the idea of dropping him off at a birthday party. I don't know that I will ever drop him off at a party where I don't know the parents...I would at least have to know the child really well, to know his/her character and personality. As a bare minimum, follow your gut feeling.
I agree that this is not the party to leave your child: too many unknowns. Each child is different, but by five most have enough independence and control to enjoy a party. I usually got around this delemma at our parties by having a "mommy tea" table in another room. That way the moms could stay and chat if they wanted to and be close by in case of problems.
don't worry. it's almost certain that is just an option and not a request. Any parent likes to have extra hands around to help with a lot of kids and that party sounds like it will be a busy event too...i'm sure the party parents will not expect you to leave your daughter but rather are giving the option to. At preschool age, it would be unusual for someone to expect you to leave them. maybe k or first if you know them or depending on the type of party and second for sure assuming it's not a party with a dangerous activity or something that just needs extra hands to help. don't worry. Take her to the party and have fun. The parents will love having others around to help with the kids too.
I did not start leaving my boys at parties until they were 7 or 8 and I knew the families. My husband or I always stayed and sat somewhere and did work or wrote our grocery list or something.
It is whatever age you feel comfortable- I felt fine leaving mine at age 4 one time, because it was at a kid's cooking school with a lot of adult supervision, including the birthday child's parents and grandparents, who I knew well. I think around 5 is usually when people can start dropping off more regularly though. I think it depends on your child and how comfortable you feel leaving her and where the party is being held. I don't think I'd leave mine at a pump it up or other large facility or anything like that, but at a smaller place, sure. Good luck!
I started leaving my son at parties by himself when he turned 6. We took him to one when he was 5 and we were the only parents there. It was at that time we realized that it was best to just start dropping him off.
Since you do not know the parents and the child, I would hang around for a little while til you felt comfortable. 4 yr olds are pretty independent and some children do not like to be left and others will surprise you and just join in whatever. I was shy as a child and do not remember going alone to anything but kids today are much less connected to clinging with parents. I never thougth my daughter would get on a school bus alone but by the time it happened it was bye mom see you later.
There may be a ton of helpers in this with older children and their friends or relatives and the group may be small. So hang around and get to know the parents if your child is not comfortable maybe take her home, but I would make sure there is no drinking and parents who just are hanging with each other letting the kiddos run. Your call, you know your child and if you did not take her, then she may have missed out.
Years ago my son was invited to about two b-day parties and I could not take him, nor did I have even $5 for a gift. Worked and felt so bad. I thought there will be may more parties and guess what there never was. My daughter went to tons of parties but not my son. I still feel guilty. Oh well, always trust your inter voice because many times I listened to professionals who did not know squat. God Bless Ginger
Id say about 7 or it depends on the party if you know the parents or not...
I prefer parents to be there to watch their own kids. sometimes it can hard to keep them all in line by yourself.
I think its a good idea to have a few adults watching several kids rather than just 2 adults trying to watch all of them.
HTH
April J
All I can tell you is that I have no intention of dropping my children off at a party for a few more years, and my oldest is almost 6. I would call the mom and just give her a head's up that you'd like to stay there and help her out.
Good luck!!
My daughter has had more than one birthday invitation that says "drop them off' and she is now 7 and I still get them. I thknk I can rememeber her being as young as 3 when she got her first one. I am amazed that people would actually leave their children, let alone ask for other parents to do so. I am not sure I would ever do so with all the harm to children in the world and would hole myself responsible if something ever happened to my child in my asbscence. I commend you for staying with them at the party and hope continue to do so for a very long time. They will have plenty of parties when they are older for them to be with other parents but also have an understanding of what is right and wrong and be able to communicate with you on those issues. Hope this helps.
I didn't start until my kids were at least in kindergarten and usually only if I knew the parents. I'd say the ones I've left them at have been pump it up, and 1 party at someone's house that I met the parents, but didn't know them very well. I had a conflict and stayed for about 20 min, then left and came back to get my son, but he was in kindergarten.
I still stay at the party if it's feasible and my kids are 8 & 6!
My son turned three this summer and I had TWO parents drop off their two/three year olds at out POOL PARTY!!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine?!?!? I couldnt believe it when I realized that they were gone!!!!!!!!
I dont leave my kids yet. I just don't trust people in general for the well being of my child while they're busy throwing a party.
If I didn't know the parents I'm not sure there's any age I'd feel comfortable dropping off at someone's house. At a jump place or other public & supervised location then ok - once they are school aged. But I only have pre-schoolers.
Last year for a 4 year old party the invitatation said we could drop off but I stayed with my 3 & 4 year old since it was a PK friend at their house & I didn't know the parents.
My daughter is nearly five and we still haven't left her. I dont't know when she or we will be ready for that, but I think leaving a child at a party where they run a bit wild, is a different situation than leaving them in a preschool. I'm sure the boy's mom would understand if you stay. Just maybe check if it's ok for the whole family to go first. Hope that helps.
I didn't start leaving any of my kids at parties until they were 6 or in 1st grade, whichever came first. You need do what makes you feel comfortable. Good luck.
My children are 8 & 6 and I still don't drop them off. I think it has to be up to you and your comfort level.
when in doubt, go with your gut instinct.
My son is 8 yrs. old and I still stay at most of the parties. Even at 8, they still need "help" with some things and it just makes me feel better, especially if I don't know the parents. Many of the parties are pretty physical (bounce houses, swimming, baseball, soccer, etc...) and I feel better if I'm there in case he should get hurt.