Drop off bday party at movie theater - gut check

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oooo, that's so tough! I really sympathize.

I mean maybe they have enough adults, like maybe they are bringing extended family?

But otoh, you don't know them and that's such a long party.

Maybe message the mom and offer to stay if she needs extra hands? That could give her an opportunity to tell you how many adults they're going to have?

My other strategy would be to go to the drop off, linger, and just make a gut call. You'll be able to see how many adults are there and how many kids. If it's not enough for you to feel comfortable, just stay. It's a public park and a public movie theater. Say to the mom, "I know this was a drop off party, but I just don't think Larla is ready for this. Is it okay if I stay with her?" I mean if she says no to that, you might have to leave or like, hang in your car. But I can't believe anyone reasonable would in this situation.

I agree with all of this but don’t ask. Just say you are going to stay.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t like this for a 7 year old. I’m kinda crazy so I’d probably go to the movie too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did this for my 7 year old last year, except it was lunch first then a walk through the shopping complex to the movie theater. 10 kids total. My husband and I were the only adults. It was totally fine, no issues, and the kids had a blast!

Did you accompany them to the bathroom at the theater? That would be my major hangup.

[Anonymous]

I am lucky I have two younger kids. I’d stay at playground, and a different area, and play with them. I’d observe. If things were truly great, I would go home. I would also take younger kids to movie, and again sit in a different section.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like a train wreck. I’d go drop off at the playground and pick up when they are done there. If my kid really wanted to go to the movie, I’d drive them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did this for my 7 year old last year, except it was lunch first then a walk through the shopping complex to the movie theater. 10 kids total. My husband and I were the only adults. It was totally fine, no issues, and the kids had a blast!

Did you accompany them to the bathroom at the theater? That would be my major hangup.

Not into the bathroom because the kids were all boys and I’m the mom. But either my husband or I walked out to the lobby with a kid when he had to go to the bathroom, and then we walked back into the movie theater together. I don’t really understand all the angst. How is this that different from any other drop off birthday party?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did this for my 7 year old last year, except it was lunch first then a walk through the shopping complex to the movie theater. 10 kids total. My husband and I were the only adults. It was totally fine, no issues, and the kids had a blast!

Did you accompany them to the bathroom at the theater? That would be my major hangup.

Not into the bathroom because the kids were all boys and I’m the mom. But either my husband or I walked out to the lobby with a kid when he had to go to the bathroom, and then we walked back into the movie theater together. I don’t really understand all the angst. How is this that different from any other drop off birthday party?

That's is NOT the protocol for a small child and multi‐stall, public bathrooms IMHO. You're the reason I hate these kinds of parties

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are overthinking this. If I were you, I would hang around the playground part and chat (maybe tell the mom that you plan to hang out and will help watch the kids if that's ok), but let the parents handle the movie.

This. Plus I would take her to visit bathroom at the theater so she wouldn't need to go during the movies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the main thing is knowing your own kid. Do they generally stay with the group, understand and follow directions, etc?
7 seems kinda young for this but it's kid dependant.

This. My kids would have been fine but I know many who would not. I took my DD to a drop off movie theater party at the same age. Same thing, tickets to a public showing, then party room, so no walk from the park which, to me, if the only slightly concerning thing. Host was a single mom but had her BFF and two sisters there so there were four women with probably 10 little girls, so plenty of supervision. Maybe call and ask a few questions about supervision.

[Anonymous]

I have a 7 year old DD. That would be a No. She's still so little.

[Anonymous]

I think you are overthinking it (not in terms of being uncomfortable, but in your response). Just tag along and buy yourself a ticket or hang out in lobby with a book or your phone! Doesn’t have to be a huge deal.

I recently had a party for a 10 year old that was of course drop off, and a couple of parents hung around and chatted, which was completely fine!

[Anonymous]

My older kid went to one of these midway through 2nd grade for an 8th birthday. The entire class was invited from what I couls tell. I didn't have any reservations about it, but that kid is fairly responsible for his age.

[Anonymous]

Every time my kid has gone to a drop off party, they’ve had enough people supervising - besides mom & dad, often a grandma, aunt, close mom friend or two, etc. My guess is that is what they have planned. It is probably not just 1-2 adults for that many kids. Most would plan to have enough help.

I wouldn’t really be concerned but would do a “vibe check” when I drop off at the park. If not enough adults I’d probably just offer to stick around & help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are overthinking it (not in terms of being uncomfortable, but in your response). Just tag along and buy yourself a ticket or hang out in lobby with a book or your phone! Doesn’t have to be a huge deal.

I recently had a party for a 10 year old that was of course drop off, and a couple of parents hung around and chatted, which was completely fine!

+1

It isn’t unusual to hang around for various reasons (don’t want to drive all the way home and back, using the time to catch up on some work on your laptop, or have somewhere you need to be afterward that is close to party location etc)

[Anonymous]

Nope. I would not do a dropoff bday party at a movie theatre. I have done a number of movie and meal b'day parties and I have always invited parents along. Mainly because I do not want the responsibility of someone's kid on me. I paid for the lunch for every one (parents sat on a different table than the kids) and paid for the movie tickets for everyone too. Guess what...I did not become poor because of that!