No parties at preschool. Would you throw the first one?

[Anonymous]

DD started preschool in the 2s class this fall. Kids go to school 2x per week for 3 hours and we have a carpool lane so parents don’t mingle at pick up/drop off. I’m pretty sure a handful of kids had fall birthdays but no one had a party and invited the class.

Would you invite the class (12 kids) even though you don’t know any parents?

DH thinks we should just invite our friends over for a party at the house.

I don’t necessarily want to invite class over to our home although we do have a large home that can easily accommodate both our friends and class.

Would you do our friends only, class only or invite everyone?

[Anonymous]

Yes, invite the whole class. That way you'll meet some or all of the other parents.

[Anonymous]

I’m with your husband. Keep it simple.

[Anonymous]

So most kids are 2-3? No, I’d invite friends only. It will be a total mess and parents will not have time to socialize anyway cause most would be watching their kids. Leave it for another year when kids are 3-4.

[Anonymous]

Leave it til 4 unless you are trying to meet parents.

[Anonymous]

We did the first party when my DD turned 3 the summer after the first year of preschool. I like throwing parties and it was nice to meet the other parents.

[Anonymous]

Easier to chat with other parents at home, rather than a crowded, noisy party venue. Invite the whole class. It’s a great way to get to know other parents and their kids.

We did a full-class Halloween party with a small borrowed bounce house and cookies to decorate when our kid was 3, Even though it was wild and messy and insane, it was a great foundation for the rest of the year. Totally worth it—although I generally enjoy throwing parties, so YMMV.

[Anonymous]

For age 2, I'd only do it if you want to connect. 2 year olds don't care about friends.

At age 3 or 4, then invite the whole class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For age 2, I'd only do it if you want to connect. 2 year olds don't care about friends.

At age 3 or 4, then invite the whole class.

+1.

[Anonymous]

DD is 3 and her class had a couple whole-class parties so far this year. I think only 1 kid did last year.

I'd do what you want, but likely most families won't start doing parties for the class until at least next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For age 2, I'd only do it if you want to connect. 2 year olds don't care about friends.

At age 3 or 4, then invite the whole class.

+1.

+1

[Anonymous]

Entire class but I'd wait till they are older. 2-3 year olds don't care. I don't get having them in preschool when they don't remember them and stopping in elementary school. Have them in elementary school when they care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So most kids are 2-3? No, I’d invite friends only. It will be a total mess and parents will not have time to socialize anyway cause most would be watching their kids. Leave it for another year when kids are 3-4.

All the kids in her class are 2-3. Our friends all have kids ages 0-10. The past two years, we had house parties and invited our friends and their kids. DH wants to do the same but I’m torn about the class. DH thinks we don’t know them and they didn’t invite us so why invite them when we have actual friends to invite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For age 2, I'd only do it if you want to connect. 2 year olds don't care about friends.

At age 3 or 4, then invite the whole class.

+1.

Agreed. Is your kid turning 2 or 3? I invited whole class to a 3 year old party (and was the first to do so and definitely not the first birthday) and almost everyone came. Class was a little smaller (I think 10 kids?). Was a good way to get to know the parents, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So most kids are 2-3? No, I’d invite friends only. It will be a total mess and parents will not have time to socialize anyway cause most would be watching their kids. Leave it for another year when kids are 3-4.

All the kids in her class are 2-3. Our friends all have kids ages 0-10. The past two years, we had house parties and invited our friends and their kids. DH wants to do the same but I’m torn about the class. DH thinks we don’t know them and they didn’t invite us so why invite them when we have actual friends to invite.

I'm with your husband.