It's rude to expect parents to leave their kids with a random relative for a drop-off event. And, now you're saying that Aunt wouldn't even be there the whole time?

Do what you want to do, OP, because you're not going to take anyone's advice anyway. Just know that the parents will probably talk about you/your family afterwards.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And they JUST scheduled the recital? Aren't those typically known well in advance?

Yeah, this is odd. You scheduled the party before you knew the recital date and time?

Both parents attending the recital and arriving late to the hosted party is selfish and boorish (both parents prefer seeing the recital vs
"Wasting" time being polite hosts).

I asked about the recital about 6 weeks ago and it hadn't been scheduled yet. Although, I did assume (erroneously) that it would be similar to the elementary school concerts and therefore held on a weekday evening. I got the flier last week; I called to try to reschedule the birthday thing and the other available times are very odd, like 6 pm on sunday evening or (on a different saturday) 9 am on a Saturday morning.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You over scheduled.

Huh? We just got notice of the date of younger son's activity but had already reserved a party place for older son. There's a conflict, but not because of too many activities.

Dance recitals are scheduled way in advance. Fess up, OP, you didn't plan ahead and now you have a conflict.

Tell younger DS that one parent will be at the recital and record his section so that the whole family can watch it later together.

Anonymous wrote:Rude. Get your sibling to bring the birthday boy. You and the younger one can show up a bit later then.

BAM! This. YOU scheduled the party and now plan to show up fashionably late? Poor poor taste

Anonymous wrote:Wait, you expect me to drop my kid off with your strange sister? Because you and your husband can't manage the TWO kids you have?

Yeah....get your shit together lady. Or, have less kids.

Not OP, but yes. These kids are 8 years old, and this is apparently some kind of laser tag or bouncy your place. Your kids will be FINE. There are staff members at the event, your kid watched the intro safety video, and he's 8. Not 4. 8

Either you barely know OP, in which case why are you OK leaving your kids with her or her husband? So you were planning on staying anyhow.

OR

You do know OP, and you are fine with her sister helping host for 30 min. which is basically hanging out and watching the kids play laser tag.

Now, OP -- in your case, I'd stay and host the party, and have DH tape the play or recital for you all to watch together at home. As long as one parent is there.

This thread is insane. One parent goes with older kid to party on time, other parent goes to recital and explains to younger kid that they're very sorry but older kid's party was already scheduled and there will be guests there they are hosting etc.

I seriously cannot believe how much thought some of you are putting into this.

its tough to have one car and kids in activities without mooching off and inconveniencing other people

We are a one car family.

Alright, maybe the answer is renting a second car. I hadn't thought about that. Thanks

If the aunt is willing to help out, why can't she just pick one parent and the birthday child up from the recital early and drive them there?
Birthday venue is very close to Aunt's house. Recital venue is 30 minutes away. It just adds an hour driving for her before the party. I wouldn't ask unless it really changed the equation and helped the situation. I'm probably already going to be offering to send her and my bro off for date night....

Then you need to do zipcar.

Anonymous wrote:And they JUST scheduled the recital? Aren't those typically known well in advance?

Yeah, this is odd. You scheduled the party before you knew the recital date and time?

Both parents attending the recital and arriving late to the hosted party is selfish and boorish (both parents prefer seeing the recital vs
"Wasting" time being polite hosts).

Anonymous wrote:

We are a one car family.

Alright, maybe the answer is renting a second car. I hadn't thought about that. Thanks

If the aunt is willing to help out, why can't she just pick one parent and the birthday child up from the recital early and drive them there?

Birthday venue is very close to Aunt's house. Recital venue is 30 minutes away. It just adds an hour driving for her before the party. I wouldn't ask unless it really changed the equation and helped the situation. I'm probably already going to be offering to send her and my bro off for date night....

We are a one car family.

Alright, maybe the answer is renting a second car. I hadn't thought about that. Thanks

If the aunt is willing to help out, why can't she just pick one parent and the birthday child up from the recital early and drive them there?

Wait, you expect me to drop my kid off with your strange sister? Because you and your husband can't manage the TWO kids you have?

Yeah....get your shit together lady. Or, have less kids.

And they JUST scheduled the recital? Aren't those typically known well in advance?

Anonymous wrote:We are a one car family.

Alright, maybe the answer is renting a second car. I hadn't thought about that. Thanks

What? The uncle/aunt/birthday boy scenario is fine, no need to spend more money!

Anonymous wrote:OK, thanks.

Do you think it would be alright if older son is there with his aunt and DH and I show up with younger son right on time or a few minutes late? No, younger son is not being knighted but it's his very first "thing" and he's got an individual part, so he is excited and wants both parents to be there and we both want to be there too. I think older son wants to see younger son, too, but he'd rather go to his birthday party if he had a choice.

Yes, this is fine, you have the birthday boy there and adults greeting the guests. The other scenario was a no.