Birthday Party Text

[Anonymous]

I went to an outdoor party a while back. The weather turned stormy . The tents were blowing. They did not invite anyone in. I had a baby with me. We were in Baltimore. At some point people just went in. Not sure what hostess thought. I would drop by for an hour or two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:5 year old birthday party so there will be 4 and 5 year olds there. It’s listed on invitation as lasting 4 hours.Hostess sent group text:


Hi! We are so glad you are coming to Larla’s birthday tomorrow! There is a chance of rain but we won’t let that stop the kids from having fun! We will have several canopies over the tables and the bouncy castle is covered. I would like to ask each parent to keep an eye on their kid throughout the party and please make sure kids do not enter our house since Larla’s little brother will be napping. If you need to use the bathroom, please let me or my husband know and we will direct you to our basement bathroom. Thanks and can’t wait to see you tomorrow!

Weird, right? Four hour party in the rain and we have to ask to be escorted to the bathroom. And being told to watch our kids. Lol I have three kids and have never encountered this before!

You're looking to be a jerk here, OP. The host is just telling you that they will show you where the basement bathroom is, they're not going to escort you there. Also you don't have to stay the whole four hours.

[Anonymous]

I just receive a backyard birthday invitation. It will be Saturday morning and it also mentions that it could be Sunday as rain date. If I decide to respond yes, does that mean I am obligated to free up both Saturday and Sunday morning as rain date? I don't think there will be canopies, and it is the first time we get morning birthday invitation and outdoor birthday invitation.

[Anonymous]

Just go for an hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not assume the time frame is a window…DD had a friend whose family would throw unbearably long parties like this, and it was very much a “stay the entire time” situation.

Were they physically tying people to their chairs?

[Anonymous]

Arrive on time, deliver a gift, and at 45" announce that it's time for afternoon rest or whatever and leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A 4 hour party is insanely long. I'm always pretty surprised when I see invites for this age group longer than 2 hours.

But her text is fine. I mean, she doesn't want all the kids in her house. That seems fine to me.

Not to mention if there are very many guests coming that "lol" at the suggestion to watch their kids, this text may be very needed.

[Anonymous]

You aren’t expected to stay for the whole four hours! It’s a drop in party.

Yes, the bathroom restrictions and instructions to watch your own kid is weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not assume the time frame is a window…DD had a friend whose family would throw unbearably long parties like this, and it was very much a “stay the entire time” situation.

Were they physically tying people to their chairs?

The issue at hand is not whether guests are forced to stay, but whether the host intends the party to be an “open house” or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds more like an open house where guests can come and go.

Agree with this. We'd show up for an hour, bounce, eat, and leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:5 year old birthday party so there will be 4 and 5 year olds there. It’s listed on invitation as lasting 4 hours.Hostess sent group text:


Hi! We are so glad you are coming to Larla’s birthday tomorrow! There is a chance of rain but we won’t let that stop the kids from having fun! We will have several canopies over the tables and the bouncy castle is covered. I would like to ask each parent to keep an eye on their kid throughout the party and please make sure kids do not enter our house since Larla’s little brother will be napping. If you need to use the bathroom, please let me or my husband know and we will direct you to our basement bathroom. Thanks and can’t wait to see you tomorrow!

Weird, right? Four hour party in the rain and we have to ask to be escorted to the bathroom. And being told to watch our kids. Lol I have three kids and have never encountered this before!

Not weird. This comes down to: don’t wander around their house, don’t let your kids do it, and use the bathroom they asked you to. And keep an eye on your kids.

[Anonymous]

She’s probably trying to pre-empt any drop off requests. That’s the vibe I get.

Bathroom thing is super weird though.

[Anonymous]

Why did she schedule it during this sacred nap time? I think she doesn’t want anyone in her house either bc of covid or because it’s messy or small, not because of the nap. It’s going to be severe weather. A canopy is not going to stand up to a thunderstorm, and the 4 hr timeframe is insane. I feel for this poor woman. She probably didn’t have 3rd or 4th bday parties and is just really clueless on how to make the experience pleasant for guests other than the bday child.

[Anonymous]

For a 5yo birthday party you should absolutely be expected to stick around and watch your kids.

[Anonymous]

The text is fine