@Sybylla we do socialize with them and we’ve lived next door to them for about 5 years now. That may be why they invited us…
Yeah, I would just smile and decline. If it was a BBQ at their home, sure, but this is over and above neighborhood obligations IMO.
Most of the parents in our peer network over the years were of like mind, I think, but for the one or two instances where my kids did attend. And I’m quite sure that my heightened-level of nutritional tendencies also contributed to it as well. I know we may have passed on a few parties over the years because of the party location.
Now, since we got a puppy, we attend birthday parties at doggy gyms or dog parks for with doggie cupcakes and all the accoutrement. :lol:
@coolguy40 I remember those days. My kids would win all these tickets and get some cheap, worthless (to me) trinket that could’ve been bought at the dollar store for much less expense and hassle. Yep, we throw away money on much cooler stuff for the kids nowadays!
Chuck E. Cheese will always hold a special place in my heart . . . because I give it credit for S finally getting potty trained!
A brand-new Chuck E. Cheese was opening in our town. S, who was 4, begged to go. We had been struggling with potty-training forever, including multiple offers of various bribes.
I told him if he went on the potty, we’d go. He did, and we did.
He didn’t like pizza (still doesn’t) and never asked to go again. But it did the trick!
@Sybylla true. We will probably decline. Last year S, D, and I went to his birthday party at the local park.
@sushiritto seems like we may have had a somewhat similar peer group…
Am I the only one who has never set foot in a chunk e cheese?
@bookworm - Consider yourself lucky!
I think it’s weird to be invited to a child’s b-day party when you don’t have kids the same age (or are part of the family).
I hadn’t been for at least 15 years and took the grandkids last summer. Same pizza, same games, no more dancing bears or whatever and they changed the payment. Now you pay for a set amount of time, instead of not getting enough tickets and your kids whining for time. Liked that change.
Bazillions of tickets still exchange for a cheap toy. People pay for experiences all the time and I don’t consider this any different…although I thought the prices had increased quite a lot!
I believe it’s still pretty popular with the elementary school crowd. We went to birthday parties there and for the kids to play on occasion. Pizza is crap, but the kids had fun, and it is all about the kids. I don’t know why adults are shunning it because it’s not fancy.
Both my kids had birthday parties there for a year or two while they were in elementary school, and attended friends’ parties there as well. I recall feeling frazzled trying to keep track of a bunch of 8yo boys.
I’ve never left there without a massive headache. It has nothing to do with not being “fancy”. It’s too much noise, too much running, and not enough supervision.
You are a middle aged (or older) woman who won’t get totally sloshed and act like trailer trash, right? Then of course you can bring in your flask; who’s going to say anything?
I like to have a really nice Scotch in my flask. Solves all sorts of issues.
@college_query Awwww that’s so sweet! I love stories like that!
@bookworm probably not! They don’t have them everywhere…
@momofsenior1 I was invited to kid’s parties before my kids were born. I went to at least a couple of co worker’s kid’s parties. But I don’t remember inviting childless friends to my kid’s parties. And our kid’s 1st and 2nd birthday parties were just family and cousins…
@itsgettingreal21 It’s because it’s loud, kind of dirty, and there are plenty of other fun places for kids that are much more tolerable. But everyone is different.
@momofsenior1 I’ve never left there without a headache either!
@milee30 I was joking…but don’t worry, H and I are wayyyyy past the party stage! haha!
@sryrstress I imagine the prices have increased. Oh, the dancing animals! I remember those! It’s all coming back to me!
How nice of your neighbors to invite you! (Even though I agree that Chuck E Cheese can be a nightmare). If you go, be sure to bring a pair of earplugs!
@melvin123 Thanks for the tip! I’ll bring it along with Purell
If the parent’s have to pay an entrance fee for you I would just drop off a gift at the house.
The last time we were at CEC, Chuck came around the corner and confronted an 8(?)yo. He projectiled vomited in intense fear.
"He projectiled vomited in intense fear. "
That’s what the folks at my table nearly did when the rat decided it would be fun to interact with the adults at the party.
Fear of the giant rat is positively correlated with intelligence in small children.