What Age to Leave Child at a Birthday Party?

I didn't start leaving any of my kids at parties until they were 6 or in 1st grade, whichever came first. You need do what makes you feel comfortable. Good luck.

I didn't start until my kids were at least in kindergarten and usually only if I knew the parents. I'd say the ones I've left them at have been pump it up, and 1 party at someone's house that I met the parents, but didn't know them very well. I had a conflict and stayed for about 20 min, then left and came back to get my son, but he was in kindergarten.

I still stay at the party if it's feasible and my kids are 8 & 6!

All I can tell you is that I have no intention of dropping my children off at a party for a few more years, and my oldest is almost 6. I would call the mom and just give her a head's up that you'd like to stay there and help her out.
Good luck!!

don't worry. it's almost certain that is just an option and not a request. Any parent likes to have extra hands around to help with a lot of kids and that party sounds like it will be a busy event too...i'm sure the party parents will not expect you to leave your daughter but rather are giving the option to. At preschool age, it would be unusual for someone to expect you to leave them. maybe k or first if you know them or depending on the type of party and second for sure assuming it's not a party with a dangerous activity or something that just needs extra hands to help. don't worry. Take her to the party and have fun. The parents will love having others around to help with the kids too.

I like Kathy F.'s response below. Waiting until your kids is a preteen to leave them at a birthday party seems a little extreme - children do need to learn how to be independent. That said, my daughter was dropped off for the first time last year in kindergarten (she was 5 1/2), though I went in for a while to make sure she was settled, and saw that there were many other parents staying. My 4-year old right now is so clingy that there is NO way I could drop him off - I couldn't do that to the poor parents hosting the party because he would start crying.

I always have beer and sodas on hand at our parties for any parents who want to stay, and then many do because it becomes a nice chance for them to socialize while the kids are occupied. All stayed at the younger one's 4th party, but about 1/3 just dropped off at the older one's 6th party. I don't judge anyone that drops off for their decision at all - if everyone wanted to drop off it would be fine with me. I always have extra adults (grandparents, etc) there that I know will help, and I'm happy to give a fellow parent a couple hours of kid-free time if possible.

Since you do not know the parents and the child, I would hang around for a little while til you felt comfortable. 4 yr olds are pretty independent and some children do not like to be left and others will surprise you and just join in whatever. I was shy as a child and do not remember going alone to anything but kids today are much less connected to clinging with parents. I never thougth my daughter would get on a school bus alone but by the time it happened it was bye mom see you later.

There may be a ton of helpers in this with older children and their friends or relatives and the group may be small. So hang around and get to know the parents if your child is not comfortable maybe take her home, but I would make sure there is no drinking and parents who just are hanging with each other letting the kiddos run. Your call, you know your child and if you did not take her, then she may have missed out.

Years ago my son was invited to about two b-day parties and I could not take him, nor did I have even $5 for a gift. Worked and felt so bad. I thought there will be may more parties and guess what there never was. My daughter went to tons of parties but not my son. I still feel guilty. Oh well, always trust your inter voice because many times I listened to professionals who did not know squat. God Bless G.

MY oldest is 9 yrs old and I would not drop her off anywhere as long as I am not around you just cant trust anyone now days but go with your gut feeling .

SAHM of four silly kids and life is good .......

I am always amazed when parents just drop thier kids off...I remember once for a b'day sleepover that I was in the house hanging out after going over some things with the mom about my daughter with type 1 diabetes (I had called her after we received the invitation to see if that was going to work) and a girl with severe asthma was dropped off with her nebulizer and no instructions.....sigh.......my kids are now 15 and 16 and they still do not go to a home where I do not at least have a passing aquaintance with the parents....so, no, I would not leave my 4 year old.........good luck!

I think you have to gauge by their maturity and also how well you know the parents. I would say, if you are concerned, don't leave them alone at all, ever. Even if she's 12, you'll never say, it's better that they're not embarrassed than if they get violated.

Just be safe and trust your gut. YOu'll know when the time is right.

C.,
I have no idea, I think it's really up to you as a parent. When you don't know the other parent then of course you wouldn't just leave your child. It doesn't matter what the invitation says. Since you don't know this child's parent, if you do stay, which I am assuming you will, you can get to know them and then later if something like this happens you'll know if you feel comfortable enough to leave your child there.

I think if your child is old enough to stay home by herself or drop her off at the mall, then she can be trusted to be at a party alone (age 12 or 13?). I know that sounds old but you never know how appropriate the supervision will be (unless you know the parents well) and you need to trust your child to be able to take care of herself.

I have 3 kids, the youngest is 5 and as learned rule you don't leave your kiddos at a birthday party until they are at least 7 or 8 depending on their independence level. Anything can happen a fall or a fight over a toy or a spill etc. You need to be there for many reasons until your sure they can behave or handle their own situations if you know what I mean and I'm sure you do! And remember it goes by fast! My oldest now 12 does not want me to be seen with him at his social events!

My children are 8 & 6 and I still don't drop them off. I think it has to be up to you and your comfort level.

My daughter is 8 and the general rule is I dont leave her unless I know the parents really, really well. If I dont know them, then I stay. Parents have enough going on with a party to make sure everyone is always okay on top of it.
I just had my daughters 8 year birthday party at a rollerskating rink two weeks ago...Most of our close friends stayed but just about all the moms I didnt know, left. One girls mom just dropped her off and didnt even give me a phone number. She ended up 'forgetting' and I had to get the phone number from the little girl to call to find out where she was. She was almost an hour late...I had to sit out side after the party and wait for this woman to pick up her daughter!

I agree that this is not the party to leave your child: too many unknowns. Each child is different, but by five most have enough independence and control to enjoy a party. I usually got around this delemma at our parties by having a "mommy tea" table in another room. That way the moms could stay and chat if they wanted to and be close by in case of problems.

The only party I let my daughter attend w/out us was for a girl in her class and we "did" know the parents and the party was at her house where they were only playing some games and opening presents. The mother had her mom helping so 3 parents all together and my neice went to the party as well with my daughter. They were both 6 at the time.
BESIDES that party, I would never leave her at a party now if I did not know the parents or if she was going to need my help with anything. IMO, your daughter is to young to be left along. I think 7 or 8+ is a good age IF you know and fully trust the parents with your child. If it's at a big place with lots of kids and people (chuck e cheese, zoo, bounce houses, parks, etc.), she would never be left alone.
Even though the invite says you can "drop off" does not mean thats what they want you to do if you don't feel safe with it. They probably are only saying that for the parents who don't want to feel obligated to stay if they don't have to.
Take care!

I waited until my boys were 7+ and when one girl was having her 10th birthday party as a boy-girl party, we stayed then ;) I don't think it's appropriate before they're in kindergarten and anytime the kids way outnumber the parents. Also, when parties have been far from home and at public locations (e.g., bowling alleys, skating rinks, etc.) I always stayed around. IMHO, it's too much to except that these parents can keep an eye on all the kids in a public place and unfortunately, these are where the weirdos like to hang out. Also, unless you know the parents well, I would never leave them. This remained my rule into my boys were 13 - even then I make sure to know what adults will be there. And, at this point, they only go to school sponsored events.

The first time I left my son at a party he was eleven. I should not have done it. The parents were not on top of things, the kids were left unsupervised upstairs and got into activities that were not appropriate, bullying ensued and it was a horrible experience. I don't think age has anything to do with it. Little kids need to be watched by many adults for safety reasons, bigger kids get mean and hurt each others feelings or worse and THEY need to be watched. I opt for being the parent who brings a bottle of wine and stays to "visit" or "help". I'm actually rather stunned at how quickly many parents flee the scene, be it a birthday party or an athletic practice, it seems they just cannot wait to do something "more important" than watch their kid.
Go with your gut instinct.

I had a tea party for my daughters 6th birthday last year and invited her girl classmates. I told all the parents they were welcome to stay but only two stayed, the rest dropped off the girls, I dont know if its because they were girls only? I guess the moms felt safe leaving them after they came in the house. I think I probably would not leave my daughger now at 7 years old if I didnt know the parents. I think maybe 10 is a good age for that and still I would keep one eye open if you know what I mean.

If I don't know the parents, it wouldn't be age 3 that I let my child be a "drop off" at a party. I'm thinking grade school...closer to 6, 7 or 8. And then, I'd like to at least meet the parents. (Then again, my kids are only 4 and 1 so far.)

I did not start leaving my boys at parties until they were 7 or 8 and I knew the families. My husband or I always stayed and sat somewhere and did work or wrote our grocery list or something.

I started leaving my son at parties by himself when he turned 6. We took him to one when he was 5 and we were the only parents there. It was at that time we realized that it was best to just start dropping him off.

Dear C. R:

I didn't leave my daughter at a party until she was in school and comfortable with it. That was either Kindergarten or first grade. When she was younger I stayed and helped with the party, which was always appreciated!

L. F., Mom to an almost 13-year-old

If I didn't know the parents I'm not sure there's any age I'd feel comfortable dropping off at someone's house. At a jump place or other public & supervised location then ok - once they are school aged. But I only have pre-schoolers.
Last year for a 4 year old party the invitatation said we could drop off but I stayed with my 3 & 4 year old since it was a PK friend at their house & I didn't know the parents.

It depends! The following affected whether I stayed:

-how well I knew the parents
-where the party was located
-my child's (age and maturity) level
-how much supervision there was at the party
-the type of activities at the party (I read a tragic story about a 14 yr old who drowned at a birthday party)

I didn't leave my kids at functions alone with unknown people until they were were school age. Even then I tried to be close by in case they needed me.

For the most part, I stayed during pre-school years, but would sometimes drop off once they started school. It would depend on the party and how I felt about the environment. I would think that the child's personality would have something to do with it, too. When kids are a little more high-maintance, it's so much easier for the host if you stay with them. I have two children and I have always prepared for parents to drop-off for our birthday parties once Kindergarten started. 8 out of 10 would do so. I would always prepare by having extra adults there when needed.

The answer is IT DEPENDS--if you know the family, OR if you know another parent well that IS staying if you can't--I remember taking 'turns' with other moms. Just check your gut and that will tell you what you should do. I don't think I would have done it at all before 2nd or 3rd grade but that's just me.

I think it really depends. Your daughter is only 4, I would stay with her if you are more comfortable doing that. Good LUck

My daughter has had more than one birthday invitation that says "drop them off' and she is now 7 and I still get them. I thknk I can rememeber her being as young as 3 when she got her first one. I am amazed that people would actually leave their children, let alone ask for other parents to do so. I am not sure I would ever do so with all the harm to children in the world and would hole myself responsible if something ever happened to my child in my asbscence. I commend you for staying with them at the party and hope continue to do so for a very long time. They will have plenty of parties when they are older for them to be with other parents but also have an understanding of what is right and wrong and be able to communicate with you on those issues. Hope this helps.

My daughter is nearly five and we still haven't left her. I dont't know when she or we will be ready for that, but I think leaving a child at a party where they run a bit wild, is a different situation than leaving them in a preschool. I'm sure the boy's mom would understand if you stay. Just maybe check if it's ok for the whole family to go first. Hope that helps.

when in doubt, go with your gut instinct.

My son is 8 yrs. old and I still stay at most of the parties. Even at 8, they still need "help" with some things and it just makes me feel better, especially if I don't know the parents. Many of the parties are pretty physical (bounce houses, swimming, baseball, soccer, etc...) and I feel better if I'm there in case he should get hurt.

It is whatever age you feel comfortable- I felt fine leaving mine at age 4 one time, because it was at a kid's cooking school with a lot of adult supervision, including the birthday child's parents and grandparents, who I knew well. I think around 5 is usually when people can start dropping off more regularly though. I think it depends on your child and how comfortable you feel leaving her and where the party is being held. I don't think I'd leave mine at a pump it up or other large facility or anything like that, but at a smaller place, sure. Good luck!

My daughter was 7, and one party was at a home where I knew the mom, and the other was at a mall mini golf & I was just across the hall shopping. Always make sure you give your cell number to the mom in charge, and make sure your child knows it by heart.

I still don't leave my 8y.o DD at parties unless I KNOW the parents and it's an all girls party. If they are boy/girl we def. stay. Now for my pre-schoolers, I ALWAYS stay-no exceptions. Another thing we do, I have 3 kids(2girls & 1boy), so before they are 5 girls only go to girl parties, boy to boys unless its a close family friend...if we didn't do this we are going to partie(s) every weekend. It's crazy. HTH

My son turned three this summer and I had TWO parents drop off their two/three year olds at out POOL PARTY!!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine?!?!? I couldnt believe it when I realized that they were gone!!!!!!!!

I dont leave my kids yet. I just don't trust people in general for the well being of my child while they're busy throwing a party.

Id say about 7 or it depends on the party if you know the parents or not...

I prefer parents to be there to watch their own kids. sometimes it can hard to keep them all in line by yourself.

I think its a good idea to have a few adults watching several kids rather than just 2 adults trying to watch all of them.

HTH
A. J

My decision would not be totally based on age and I guess I was fortunate in that when my children were younger, if I did not personally know the parent very well, there was a good chance that I knew other parents that were staying that would specifically look out for my child because I would ask them to before I left.

I would base my decision about the composition of the party, i.e. is it the preschool kids that are with each other every day or are their neighborhood kids and relatives thrown into the mix? I would base it on that specific child's age, his/her maturity level and their comfort in unfamiliar situations. I would plan on attending and see what happens when I get there. If my stomach tells me not to leave, I don't.

There was one party that I know I planned to attend with the child, don't remember which of the three or how old but nearly every parent was there and you know, that was back in the day when I rarely ever got time to myself. So I altered the plan. I had a couple of blissful kid free hours and the kid had a great time.

Basing it solely on age does a disservice to your child and may be ineffective in protecting him/her. A child at 4 may be more mature than another child that is 6 or 7. Assertive, independent, aware children ordinarily do not become vitims. If you do not allow your child to be other than by your side until they are close to or at middle school age, they may never be comfortable trying to do things that make them nervous. They will miss out on many things. In most cases, a child's bithday party is a relatively safe place so make sure there are enough parents there and factor that into your decision.

My son is almost 7, and I am just beginning to be okay with the idea of dropping him off at a birthday party. I don't know that I will ever drop him off at a party where I don't know the parents...I would at least have to know the child really well, to know his/her character and personality. As a bare minimum, follow your gut feeling.

I wouldn't leave a child under 10 at any birthday party unless I knew the parents VERY WELL. We still don't leave our 9 year old at parties but our 13 year old we do. We left him for the first time at 12.

Hope this helps!