We went to a birthday party yesterday. My 5yo was the oldest child (her bday was last week). Most of the other girls were 4 yo and one 3yo.
One of the parents dropped their 3yo off and went shopping. Although the children go to school together, the parents do not otherwise know each other. This child was a terror while her dad was gone. At one point she was completely behind the sofa that was against the wall. They moved the sofa out to get her. She fell up the stairs and went into an uncontrollable fit when she realized she didn't know any of us. She filled her plate to the rim when she sat down for lunch. She must've put 10 strawberries on her plate. She was grabbing and taking and being very rude (mine, mine!). The mom of the birthday child was trying to be nice and ask her to take only what she would eat. She took a few bites of everything and then got up from the table. When the birthday cake came out, she grabbed a princess off the cake before it made it to the table. She was asked to wait until the picture was taken. All the other kids then robbed the princesses off the cake. I want this! I want this! They were demanding sections of the cake. It was scary. My daughter sat in her seat and just waited. She ended up with the first peice of cake and choice of birthday rings because the mom rewarded her for being patient.
Then there was the castle game. The children needed to put a princess sticker on the castle and "win" a ring. The girls were fighting over the rings and apparently one broke. The 3yo child went into a huge tantrum. My dd went over and gave her the ring she had won.
I felt bad for the parents hosting the party and the birthday girl. It was sad that they had to deal with this on their child's birthday. I also felt bad for the little 3yo girl that was left alone. Overall, I think they had a good time despite the drama.
The dad of the 3yo was gone for 2 hours (they were 1/2 hr late to the party). He swooped back in and hurried her out the door. He had no idea what had went on while he was gone. I can't imagine doing this.
I was proud of my daugther because she behaved so well. I appreciated her more after that party. We've never had an experience like that before. It was truly a sad display.
One of the parents dropped their 3yo off and went shopping. Although the children go to school together, the parents do not otherwise know each other. This child was a terror while her dad was gone. At one point she was completely behind the sofa that was against the wall. They moved the sofa out to get her. She fell up the stairs and went into an uncontrollable fit when she realized she didn't know any of us. She filled her plate to the rim when she sat down for lunch. She must've put 10 strawberries on her plate. She was grabbing and taking and being very rude (mine, mine!). The mom of the birthday child was trying to be nice and ask her to take only what she would eat. She took a few bites of everything and then got up from the table. When the birthday cake came out, she grabbed a princess off the cake before it made it to the table. She was asked to wait until the picture was taken. All the other kids then robbed the princesses off the cake. I want this! I want this! They were demanding sections of the cake. It was scary. My daughter sat in her seat and just waited. She ended up with the first peice of cake and choice of birthday rings because the mom rewarded her for being patient.
Then there was the castle game. The children needed to put a princess sticker on the castle and "win" a ring. The girls were fighting over the rings and apparently one broke. The 3yo child went into a huge tantrum. My dd went over and gave her the ring she had won.
I felt bad for the parents hosting the party and the birthday girl. It was sad that they had to deal with this on their child's birthday. I also felt bad for the little 3yo girl that was left alone. Overall, I think they had a good time despite the drama.
The dad of the 3yo was gone for 2 hours (they were 1/2 hr late to the party). He swooped back in and hurried her out the door. He had no idea what had went on while he was gone. I can't imagine doing this.
I was proud of my daugther because she behaved so well. I appreciated her more after that party. We've never had an experience like that before. It was truly a sad display.
or offer drinks
because this is what I grew up with. Of course these were all hispanic parties and like I said, maybe it's a cultural thing. Even my caucasian husband was shocked we served alcohol at our children's birthday parties but he's grown fond of this new found custom in his life.
