Birthday Parties and What can Go Wrong (Part 2)
By Amanda Torres

Dropped Off Children

Problem: Something you will find disturbing is the number of parents who expect to drop off their small child and come back to get them after the party is over.  You are expected to not only host a party, but also tend to a child who may not know you very well.  This could turn ugly as soon as their parent is down the driveway. How should you handle this?

Solution:  If you are asked what time a parent should be expected to return, make it very clear that their child cannot attend the party without parental supervision.  You cannot be expected to baby-sit while a parent leaves and returns at a later time.    

If you weaken when this is requested and offer to watch children at your party, you open yourself up to a great deal of liability.  You are being asked to be responsible for a child when you can not possibly give a child one hundred percent of your attention.   Don’t do it.  If this situation presents itself on the day of your party, pleasantly hand the child a goody bag (while smiling) and say that it is a shame they child can’t stay for the party.   Either the parent will carry their disappointed child back to the car, or the parent’s  plans will have to change. 

Remember, Above All

This is supposed to be a special time to celebrate your child’s birthday.  Try not to take on too much for the day.   Maybe you can recruit a friend to help out. .  In the end, if you plan well, you will be able to sit back during the party watching smiling faces and realize that you won’t have to do this again for another year. Or at least until you have another child.

Click here to go back to Part 1