What’s the WORST birthday party experience you ever had?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think I’ve ever attended a bad birthday party, as a kid or as an adult. There’s always something to be happy about, something to enjoy. And I don’t come from a rich family, nor have we been to lavish parties now as a parent.

All this to say—op, try not to worry about what could go wrong. Imperfect can be perfect—it’s how people feel.

Came here to say the same thing.

+1

Me too. Three teens long past the birthday party stage, and have been more fun that others, sure, but I’ve never attended a “bad” party. That said, I never ever depended on the food at these parties (especially if bringing young kids). I’d make sure to feed the kids a heavy snack beforehand (and sometimes myself too). Just throwing that out there, since food seems to be a big source of handwringing for some people. Most of the time there would be plenty of food- and sometimes even really good food! But if there is some sort of food issue: no big deal. We can just eat after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worst experience was the year we had a big slip n slide set up for the kids. I was busy hosting when a fully clothed kid apparently got wet and their mom took it upon herself to walk upstairs and throw her child’s soaked clothes through our dryer, burning out a part. Never apologized or even let me know. I later found out from another person who heard what happened (the soaked clothes and using our dryer) and assumed I knew.

My advice is to physically block rude or nosy people from rooms or areas in your house you don’t want them accessing.

What is wrong with your dryer that using it to dry clothes broke it? The mom should have asked you, but using a dryer for its intended purpose isn't crazy.

She threw them in there dripping wet, and it shorted out some element in the dryer.

I didn’t even know that was a “thing”. I think I’ve tossed dripping wet items in the dryer before. Not a full load of stuff, but a few items sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worst experience was the year we had a big slip n slide set up for the kids. I was busy hosting when a fully clothed kid apparently got wet and their mom took it upon herself to walk upstairs and throw her child’s soaked clothes through our dryer, burning out a part. Never apologized or even let me know. I later found out from another person who heard what happened (the soaked clothes and using our dryer) and assumed I knew.

My advice is to physically block rude or nosy people from rooms or areas in your house you don’t want them accessing.

What is wrong with your dryer that using it to dry clothes broke it? The mom should have asked you, but using a dryer for its intended purpose isn't crazy.

She threw them in there dripping wet, and it shorted out some element in the dryer.

I didn’t even know that was a “thing”. I think I’ve tossed dripping wet items in the dryer before. Not a full load of stuff, but a few items sure.

Same. But — I wouldn’t have used the hostess’s dryer without asking!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are hilarious. Although I have to say I have been to and hosted multiple playground parties for kids age 4 through 8 and all have been perfectly fine playing on the equipment and eating snacks or pizza plus cake. Standard run time was 2 hours start to finish and sometimes the kids would stay later, but once the cake was served that was it and the party officially wrapped up.

Those are our favorite parties for that age range. My kids just want to run around and play, not be walked through a complicated craft or game.

+1

I enjoyed park parties the most at that age, and we threw a few at the park as well. Also went to a few backyard parties with minimal “entertainment” (just the family’s regular swing set and toys, maybe some extra things set out- balls, jump ropes, small water guns or whatever) and those were great too. Often less is more at those ages, IMHO. The host parties always seemed far less stressed as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly there shouldn’t be any pool parties for kids under like 8-9 years old. So many parents just drop off their kids who can’t swim. it’s truly unbelievable. But it’s also irresponsible to host a pool part for very young kids IMO. Just isn’t worth it.

Pool parties make me nervous. A 6 year old died at a swimming birthday party at the same expensive indoor pool/fitness club where my oldest took his first swimming lessons. There were a lot of people in and around the pool and the girl wasn't noticed and quickly succumbed. She was alive when removed from the pool but didn't survive.

[Anonymous]

Bowling party for our DC turning six, with parents dropping off their kids. One kid got violently ill and threw up and had diarrhea in the bowling alley bathroom and seemed feverish. His clothes were a mess and it took forever for his mom to pick him up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter had a pool party at a pool with life guards and we invited a family with twins. Mom dropped the girls off and didn't tell me they couldn't swim. We were able to get them life jackets and I stayed in the pool to make sure they were safe but it was very nerve wracking.

FWIW, I can't swim and have never worn a life jacket in a pool and always been fine splashing around in the shallow end. No need for a lifeguard, parent and a life jacket! You kind of went overboard there.

Plenty of kids have drowned in the shallow end of a pool, I hope I don't know you because I would not leave my children alone with an idiot like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly there shouldn’t be any pool parties for kids under like 8-9 years old. So many parents just drop off their kids who can’t swim. it’s truly unbelievable. But it’s also irresponsible to host a pool part for very young kids IMO. Just isn’t worth it.

Pool parties make me nervous. A 6 year old died at a swimming birthday party at the same expensive indoor pool/fitness club where my oldest took his first swimming lessons. There were a lot of people in and around the pool and the girl wasn't noticed and quickly succumbed. She was alive when removed from the pool but didn't survive.

This is why I don't take my eyes off my kids when they are in the pool - they know how to swim, but it only takes one kid jumping on another kid's back for that child to drown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worst experience was the year we had a big slip n slide set up for the kids. I was busy hosting when a fully clothed kid apparently got wet and their mom took it upon herself to walk upstairs and throw her child’s soaked clothes through our dryer, burning out a part. Never apologized or even let me know. I later found out from another person who heard what happened (the soaked clothes and using our dryer) and assumed I knew.

My advice is to physically block rude or nosy people from rooms or areas in your house you don’t want them accessing.

What is wrong with your dryer that using it to dry clothes broke it? The mom should have asked you, but using a dryer for its intended purpose isn't crazy.

She threw them in there dripping wet, and it shorted out some element in the dryer.

Thaaaat's literally what a dryer is for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter had a pool party at a pool with life guards and we invited a family with twins. Mom dropped the girls off and didn't tell me they couldn't swim. We were able to get them life jackets and I stayed in the pool to make sure they were safe but it was very nerve wracking.

FWIW, I can't swim and have never worn a life jacket in a pool and always been fine splashing around in the shallow end. No need for a lifeguard, parent and a life jacket! You kind of went overboard there.

Plenty of kids have drowned in the shallow end of a pool, I hope I don't know you because I would not leave my children alone with an idiot like you.

These are very shallow pools but they aren’t shallow for small kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly there shouldn’t be any pool parties for kids under like 8-9 years old. So many parents just drop off their kids who can’t swim. it’s truly unbelievable. But it’s also irresponsible to host a pool part for very young kids IMO. Just isn’t worth it.

Pool parties make me nervous. A 6 year old died at a swimming birthday party at the same expensive indoor pool/fitness club where my oldest took his first swimming lessons. There were a lot of people in and around the pool and the girl wasn't noticed and quickly succumbed. She was alive when removed from the pool but didn't survive.

Did they have a lifeguard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worst experience was the year we had a big slip n slide set up for the kids. I was busy hosting when a fully clothed kid apparently got wet and their mom took it upon herself to walk upstairs and throw her child’s soaked clothes through our dryer, burning out a part. Never apologized or even let me know. I later found out from another person who heard what happened (the soaked clothes and using our dryer) and assumed I knew.

My advice is to physically block rude or nosy people from rooms or areas in your house you don’t want them accessing.

What is wrong with your dryer that using it to dry clothes broke it? The mom should have asked you, but using a dryer for its intended purpose isn't crazy.

She threw them in there dripping wet, and it shorted out some element in the dryer.

Thaaaat's literally what a dryer is for.

Yeah, it’s totally inappropriate that she used your dryer w/o asking, but your dryer didn’t short out from wet clothes. Typically that happens when your vents aren’t cleaned frequently enough and the coils overheat and melt. Clean your dryer vents! It’s one of the highest fire risks in homes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worst experience was the year we had a big slip n slide set up for the kids. I was busy hosting when a fully clothed kid apparently got wet and their mom took it upon herself to walk upstairs and throw her child’s soaked clothes through our dryer, burning out a part. Never apologized or even let me know. I later found out from another person who heard what happened (the soaked clothes and using our dryer) and assumed I knew.

My advice is to physically block rude or nosy people from rooms or areas in your house you don’t want them accessing.

What is wrong with your dryer that using it to dry clothes broke it? The mom should have asked you, but using a dryer for its intended purpose isn't crazy.

She threw them in there dripping wet, and it shorted out some element in the dryer.

I didn’t even know that was a “thing”. I think I’ve tossed dripping wet items in the dryer before. Not a full load of stuff, but a few items sure.

Np. Agree that it was rude, but I wonder if this is an issue with older dryers. I vaguely remember this being a thing when I was a kid, but I too have definitely tossed dripping wet clothes in my dryer (an an adult) without damaging anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly there shouldn’t be any pool parties for kids under like 8-9 years old. So many parents just drop off their kids who can’t swim. it’s truly unbelievable. But it’s also irresponsible to host a pool part for very young kids IMO. Just isn’t worth it.

Pool parties make me nervous. A 6 year old died at a swimming birthday party at the same expensive indoor pool/fitness club where my oldest took his first swimming lessons. There were a lot of people in and around the pool and the girl wasn't noticed and quickly succumbed. She was alive when removed from the pool but didn't survive.

Did they have a lifeguard?

Yes. Possibly two. But younger people. There was a lawsuit. It wasn't a family that I knew. It was covered in the newspapers.

I've heard of at least one similar tragic situation at a kids' franchised swim school party.

My husband was a lifeguard. That's why I notice these things. I feel the extra excitement of a party in a novel space then adding water is a bit much. I'd prefer a bounce place party to a swim party. And when my kids were small I stayed at the parties and got in the bounce houses with them. Because sometimes bigger kids like to knock the little ones down by jumping unpredictably. Then they get hurt and cry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter had a pool party at a pool with life guards and we invited a family with twins. Mom dropped the girls off and didn't tell me they couldn't swim. We were able to get them life jackets and I stayed in the pool to make sure they were safe but it was very nerve wracking.

FWIW, I can't swim and have never worn a life jacket in a pool and always been fine splashing around in the shallow end. No need for a lifeguard, parent and a life jacket! You kind of went overboard there.

The difference is you are a tall adult and these are kids. When we had a pool party there at a different location we paid for a second lifeguard and several parents stayed inside as did my spouse to monitor things. You can never be to careful. Some of the kids were not swimmers. Its actually a nice party idea as you can bring your own food so we had tons of food for the parents and kids so parents stayed and monitored things as well. Only a few dropped off.

I had a pool party and had to stress to the parents to stay. A kid drowning in a pool is preventable in most circumstances. No one is responsible for a kid at a pool but the parents or caregiver. I would not depend on a teen lifeguard to save my kid.