Leaving child unattended at party

[RareBreed]

How old you would your child have to be before you left him/her alone at a birthday party? I don't want to leave mine. I had one left on me (but I didn't even know it until it was time for everyone to leave and her parents were no where to be found). She is 6 or 7 yrs old. Oldest had a party and at the end, as the kids and parents were leaving, the girl hands me a piece of paper with a phone # on it. I call and tell the mom that the party is over, come pick up your kid. Mom begins to yell at me because the party ended alittle earlier than I had marked on the invitation. I tell her that the party is over so come get your kid. Next, the dad calls and yells at me for the same reason. I tell him the same thing, come get your kid. He tells me to have her just wait for them somewhere and he'll come get her. I told him that's unacceptable and that I will stay with her until they arrive. They arrived about 45 minutes later (they live about 5-10 minutes away) and said they were in the middle of watching a movie on TV when I called.

What age do you think it's appropriate to leave a child, if at all, at a party? I'd be worried that an accident would occur at the party and I wasn't there. Maybe if the parents specifically said, you can leave and come back in two hours or something, I "might" go but I'd stay close by for sure.

[Chasey_Lane]

The child was not left unattended. You had a party with other children and adults I'm sure. The parents just sound lazy/uninvolved.

[hotmomma]

Originally Posted by RareBreed

How old you would your child have to be before you left him/her alone at a birthday party? I don't want to leave mine. I had one left on me (but I didn't even know it until it was time for everyone to leave and her parents were no where to be found). She is 6 or 7 yrs old. Oldest had a party and at the end, as the kids and parents were leaving, the girl hands me a piece of paper with a phone # on it. I call and tell the mom that the party is over, come pick up your kid. Mom begins to yell at me because the party ended alittle earlier than I had marked on the invitation. I tell her that the party is over so come get your kid. Next, the dad calls and yells at me for the same reason. I tell him the same thing, come get your kid. He tells me to have her just wait for them somewhere and he'll come get her. I told him that's unacceptable and that I will stay with her until they arrive. They arrived about 45 minutes later (they live about 5-10 minutes away) and said they were in the middle of watching a movie on TV when I called.

What age do you think it's appropriate to leave a child, if at all, at a party? I'd be worried that an accident would occur at the party and I wasn't there. Maybe if the parents specifically said, you can leave and come back in two hours or something, I "might" go but I'd stay close by for sure.

I left my daughter at a friend's party when she was 9 (4th grade)

[hotmomma]

A lot of times the parents just tell you to come back in 2 hours. I don't see anything wrong with it. I always leave my number and my daughter knows all the phone numbers

[hollywoman]

I have never left my child at a party...when he turned 6, parents dropped their kids at the curb and left, didn't even come in. My DH and I were in shock! As other b-day partys, some parents stay and socialized other just leave and come back 2 hrs later. Last year son turned 9, we had 16 kids, all the parents dropped and came back, BUT I stood in the driveway and got there name, p# and any food allergies. Some parties (bowling) the parents hosting were drinking and had brought other kids with them. I always take mine, stay with them and bring them home.

[Bronwyn (Premo)]

I know I had my first slumber party when I was 10.

[RareBreed]

Originally Posted by Chasey_Lane

The child was not left unattended. You had a party with other children and adults I'm sure. The parents just lsound azy/uninvolved.

I don't mind that they left. I just would have liked them to have told me that they were leaving. If something would have happened where she could not tell me that the phone # was in her pocket, I'd be screwed as to how to get ahold of her parents.

[Roberta (Premo)]

Originally Posted by RareBreed

How old you would your child have to be before you left him/her alone at a birthday party? I don't want to leave mine. I had one left on me (but I didn't even know it until it was time for everyone to leave and her parents were no where to be found). She is 6 or 7 yrs old. Oldest had a party and at the end, as the kids and parents were leaving, the girl hands me a piece of paper with a phone # on it. I call and tell the mom that the party is over, come pick up your kid. Mom begins to yell at me because the party ended alittle earlier than I had marked on the invitation. I tell her that the party is over so come get your kid. Next, the dad calls and yells at me for the same reason. I tell him the same thing, come get your kid. He tells me to have her just wait for them somewhere and he'll come get her. I told him that's unacceptable and that I will stay with her until they arrive. They arrived about 45 minutes later (they live about 5-10 minutes away) and said they were in the middle of watching a movie on TV when I called.

What age do you think it's appropriate to leave a child, if at all, at a party? I'd be worried that an accident would occur at the party and I wasn't there. Maybe if the parents specifically said, you can leave and come back in two hours or something, I "might" go but I'd stay close by for sure.

Staying at a children's birthday party with you child??

I never heard of such crazy sheit. It is a CHILDRENS BIRTHDAY PARTY FCS.
Oh the NEW way of parenting. Some are neglectful, others are over protective. Maybe this shows my age. But this is just silly.

So now when you have a B/D party for your child you have to account for food and party favors for all the children's parents and siblings? That is just crazy.

[Sweet 16]

I think it is rude and extremely neglectful to not at least ask the host if it's okay before you leave, especially if the party is in a public place like Chuck E. Cheese. I had a parent do that to me once and the kid had an asthma attack! Fortunately, it was not severe but he didn't have his inhaler with him. She didn't seem too concerned when she got back but I was terrified and I let her know it! Parents today are too willing to just "dump" their kids off and let someone else worry about them.

That said, I would not leave a toddler or preschooler at a party in a public place.

[jetmonkey]

Originally Posted by RareBreed

How old you would your child have to be before you left him/her alone at a birthday party? I don't want to leave mine. I had one left on me (but I didn't even know it until it was time for everyone to leave and her parents were no where to be found). She is 6 or 7 yrs old. Oldest had a party and at the end, as the kids and parents were leaving, the girl hands me a piece of paper with a phone # on it. I call and tell the mom that the party is over, come pick up your kid. Mom begins to yell at me because the party ended alittle earlier than I had marked on the invitation. I tell her that the party is over so come get your kid. Next, the dad calls and yells at me for the same reason. I tell him the same thing, come get your kid. He tells me to have her just wait for them somewhere and he'll come get her. I told him that's unacceptable and that I will stay with her until they arrive. They arrived about 45 minutes later (they live about 5-10 minutes away) and said they were in the middle of watching a movie on TV when I called.

What age do you think it's appropriate to leave a child, if at all, at a party? I'd be worried that an accident would occur at the party and I wasn't there. Maybe if the parents specifically said, you can leave and come back in two hours or something, I "might" go but I'd stay close by for sure.

MDHR: Child Protective Services
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