Drop off Only Party- Will Other Parents Worry?

If I stayed I would certainly not expect you to pay for my food. Also, if the parent is uncomfortable with leaving their child, you're introduction note will not make a bit of difference.

Adorable idea! Just like what others have said, I think most will get the idea after you say space is limited etc. Definitely note on invite, please call for more details or to say hello.

A good wording for "I'm not buying" is "No-host". i.e. "A no-host social table will be available for any parents wishing to stay. Space is limited so give me a call."

I think the atmosphere/theme suggests a very proper/safe environment for any concerned folks. It's not like it's Chucky Cheese where kids are spread out all over. It's a small, intimate affair that little girls will LOVE. Good luck!

Ran into this with our daughter's 4th birthday. Very small tea house. I also included a note, something along the lines of:

"Due to very limited seating, parents will not be able to be in the party area. Please feel free to drop your child off for the party."

Some parents did drop off and there was also a small entry area where many stayed and ordered/paid for their own snacks.

Sounds like a fun party!

The best way to explain the extra table would be to say... "Due to the small size of the place, I am only reserving space for the birthday girl and her friends. There will be one small table nearby for parents that feel they must stay, but please purchase your own food. I will be watching them very carefully as will the attendant from the restaurant."

Here's a suggestion....could you plan a "meet-up" at a local park so you could get to know the girls and the parents before the party?

I don't care if you wrote a letter with references and all kinds of information. You could be a pedophile that has not been caught yet, you could be all kinds of rude, crude, or just a mouthy good ol' gal that thinks all those bad words are just fun phrases...lol. You might think that kids picking on other kids is not something you should address if it happens because they are not your kids.

If I don't know someone I do NOT even let my g-kids go to their homes for play dates. I am sorry but if the parents are not allowed to stay then I don't think you'll have much of a turn out. I would say sorry no.

Just explain to the parents what is going on and that if the want to stay that the party is for the kids only. That you are not including anyone but who the invitation is for. I think people will understand.

I think the best you can do to make parents more comfortable is make yourself very available for questions, or just a get to know you chat.
Wording? Due to limited space we will not be able to seat parents and or siblings. Please feel free to call me with questions, concerns, or just to say hello!
If it's the place I'm thinking of, there are plenty of things in that same plaza for parents to do while the party is going on. You could suggest that.

I would just explain it all in the letter. Nice idea for a girl's party....

Normal people won't assume you will buy them a meal, but there are some moms I know who would order up the max. and some who would bring other kids(siblings, cousins, neighbors). I would explain that due to space and cost, the invitation is for x only. Parents are to drop off children at x and pick up at y. Then, a M. like me could call and ASK if she could hang out and assure you I would pay my own drink.
I think I would not do the letter because I did one in preK and the moms I became friends with all told me
later it was weird. LOL

My 6 year old daughter just got invited to one of those birthday tea parties. She has been to several of these, but this if the first one that is a drop-off party. I have never met the parents, but I have no problem dropping her off there. Six years old is plenty old enough to survive a drop-off party -- especially if it will be all girls sipping tea, dressing up, and getting their hair and nails done.

I would never expect to be fed at one of these parties, even if I had to stay due to my daughter's shyness. I would state on the invitation "due to space limitations, this is a drop-off party". Most parents, especially those who also have older children, will understand. Good luck to you! And happy birthday to your daughter!

I didn't read all of the responses so I apologize if this is redundant. With my first child I cared whether or not I could stay. By the second child I was happy for the opportunity to drop my child. So explain the situation and I think most people will be OK. It's the parents with 1 child or the first child who will be the most concerned.

My opinion if parents decide to stay you should buy....maybe appetizers and cake...but otherwise it will just be way to awkward. Fine to do the letter in advance...but for any that stay you should buy.

Hi,

I personally wouldn't ever drop my child off without staying etc. until MUCH older---If I don't know you and you don't know me, how can I trust you with my child?*No offense, its just a big safety issue for me. I think your idea is great for the party--but you should have food/drinks available for the parents who do stay to be comfortable and eat/socialize. You don't have to order meals--but you could do tea sandwiches, veggie platter/fruit platter etc. for the parents. As for your introduction, why not stay a little late after school and try to connect with the other moms. Do a playdate before the party so they get to know you and your daughter. Best wishes and I hope the party is a big sucess!

All of the parties I've attended or hosted have allowed parents to stay due to the young age of the kids, so you are right to consider this while writing your letter. One other thing to consider is that some parents will want to bring siblings. Make that clear in the letter too.

I'll just throw this in... I always have parties where BOTH the parents and kids can attend and are "payed for" as far as food is concerned, and I make sure there is space for all...

BUT, that being said... Some parents that I don't know well act all weird and refuse to eat a bite (I ALWAYS serve a variety of foods, a lot are healthy, so it isn't a diet thing, and our parties usually last at least 3 hours, so it isn't a hunger thing). They just stand off and observe the kids- when I had all intentions of catering to them, too. It is surprising to me about how many parents do that. I guess they are trying to be polite?

Well, what I'm saying is that some parents obviously not only don't expect anything, but when it is offered, they still refuse it, so I wouldn't worry too much about the arrangements. Just explain it ALL in the invitation.

BTW, cute party idea. I've got four girls, so I know those girls that are coming will love it!

Always tough. Last weekend, I took my youngest to a Chuckie cheese party, she is the baby of 4. I wanted to drop off and run errands. The mom insisted I stay. I had my 10 year old son with me. I did not expect the mom to buy our food or provide tokens for my son. I would have liked a heads up though. So, I think you are right to include a note with clarification. Sounds like a great party!

write "drop off time" and "pick up time" on the invitation. to be blunt - at that age (6-7) it probably has very little to do with the other parents being comfortable with you - and more about whether or not their child will separate. take down cell #'s at drop off - and offer to call if there is a problem. i think a letter is a little over the top, myself - but it sounds like you have planned a really fun party. relax and enjoy.

I would note on the invite that it's strictly for the one child only, due to space.

However, I would be prepared for some kids not to come. I wouldn't be comfy leaving my kid with someone I didn't know at all, personally. I don't know who they are, what their morals are, what type of discipline they do, who else will be there, etc., etc. It's just the world we live in, unfortunately.

I don't really see many parents asking to attend despite the request for no parents.