Would you attend a b-day party on a Friday evening?

[Anonymous]

Or maybe afternoon right after school? My DS is turning 7 and his birthday is on a Friday. We would normally schedule his party for that weekend but we will be at a tournament for his brother during that time (and we have one the weekends prior and following, as well). I don't want birthday DS to miss out on his party so I was thinking about scheduling it for Friday. Other than slumber parties, we haven't really attended a Friday night birthday party. Also, Friday nights tend to be our family hangout night (or full of practices).

Would your kid attend a Friday night birthday party? What time would be better? Maybe after school? Although, I work and, even though I could take the day off for my own kid's party, I wouldn't expect others to get there early.

TIA! I've never stressed like this over one of my kids' parties!! Maybe too much DCUM!

[Anonymous]

Sure. 5:30 would work for us. Just serve pizza and cake and let the kids run around your house if you're doing an in home party.

We couldn't do after school because I'd have to take off work early to pick up my kid and get to the party and I'm not likely to take off work to get my kid to a birthday party.

[Anonymous]

My kids have gone to multiple birthday parties on Friday right after school. A few moms will volunteer to drive the kids that normally go to aftercare. The parents that work can usually get the kids straight from the party.

[Anonymous]

Just make it the following weekend. We always have plans on Friday nights. Normally I'm the one saying "Larla will be there" but in this case all three of my Larlas would have to regretfully decline.

[Anonymous]

I own a kids birthday party venue, Friday evening parties are always popular and usually better attended than weekends. Do 6-8 or 8:30, not after school unless you know most moms are SAHM. Provide food, you can't get around not providing food at this time, no exceptions, even if you think you can put on invitation "join us for cake" don't do it. Every once in a while a party will try this and peope leave early, or during the party to go get food. You may even have difficulting finding a venue that has a Friday party option available. Did I say provide food?

[Anonymous]

I love a Friday late afternoon/ evening idea. One less thing to worry about on a Saturday!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't and we actually had to turn down an invite for a Friday evening Bounce party last year. It would require me or DH to take time off work in order to make it, and I did consider it, but it was a very busy week. Logistically for us, due to work and commutes, it would not be convenient.

[Anonymous]

Oh, owner again. It would be best if the invite could be for the whole family.

[Anonymous]

The right after school on a Friday is great for most parents IF you provide transportation to the party. Usually a couple of other SAHMs can help carpool to the party location. Then parents can pick kids up later or arrange car pools home.

[Anonymous]

We could do a 6-8 birthday on Friday night. Then my husband and I could grab dinner on our own. Might be nice actually. If it were earlier than 6 (or maybe 5:30), we could only really go if you provided transportation from school.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't be able to make it unless you provided transportation. So if you are going to take the day off of work, you could carpool or if it was right after school, could you arrange for kids to ride home on the bus with DS?

I think a home party would be best in this situation because you know everyone has to live close to you if they are in school with your DS. I definitely can't imagine driving out to a bounce house at 6:00 or something on a Friday.

[Anonymous]

6:00-8:00 would be fine for us, but I have a lot of friends who have family dinner on Friday night.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we would attend a party on Friday either after school or a bit later in the evening. Either would be fun.

[Anonymous]

Yes! My kids attended those Friday afternoon/evening bday parties. My kids also had a couple of their own parties on Fri afternoon/evening. Attendance was good and best of all you still have your entire weekend ahead of you.

[Anonymous]

We would. I'd initially be tired after the long work week and be stressed trying to make it there, with the present wrapped, DD dressed appropriately, etc., but then I'd appreciate that it was scheduled at a time when we otherwise would have had no commitments other than collapsing at home and having some "down" time at the end of the week, and I'd be grateful that it was over and done with before the weekend started.