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| Party Time! |
The first few times a child attends a birthday without having
their parent along can be nerve-wracking for both the child and the parent.
This practice usually starts when children are somewhere between 5 and 8 years
old, but, the exact age depends on many factors including the child themselves,
whether they have an older sibling attending the party and how well they know
the child who is having the birthday.
It is nice if the host has made it clear on the invitation as to
whether parents are required or even welcome to stay. My children have attended
birthdays where the host specifically stated that at least one parent should be
in attendance. We have received other invitations that had a time for drop off
and a time for pick up making it clear they were prepared to have the children
there without their parents.
Good communication and a smooth arrival set the tone for any
successful event. Here are our top 3 tips for hosts and for guests to help get
everything off to a great start.
TOP 3 TIPS FOR THE HOST
1. Plan it out
Imagine yourself as a person arriving at the party. You will
likely have a gift in hand and may have a coat and shoes that need to be
removed. Have the closet cleared out with plenty of extra hangers, mats or
trays for wet footwear and a table nearby or a plan for where the presents will
go.
2. Come right in
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| Whish Keep Calm |
Help your
guests make a smooth transition into the party by gently directing them to an
activity that will put them at ease. For children we suggest having some sort
of activity set up that is easy for kids to join in on as they arrive. If the
party is outdoors or in a hall you might have a bunch of gymnasium balls
available to play with. If the party is at your home we suggest setting up a
table with building block toys or crayons and paper. Ideally arrange this in a room
that is fairly close to the door so your young guests can engage in a familiar
activity while getting their bearings. Help put the adult guests at ease be
making an introduction to someone who has already arrived, getting them a drink
or even asking them to help with the children’s welcome activity.
3. Focus on Fun
Sure you might have been up until the wee hours of the morning
putting the finishing touches on the cake and maybe you just swept everything
off the top of your desk and crammed it into a drawer; but once the first guest
arrives it’s time to take a deep breath and put your focus on your guests and
having a great time. Don’t sweat the imperfections or apologize for what might
not have been done. If you seem nervous or flustered people will
feel like their presence is an imposition. Just keep moving forward, roll with
the punches and set the tone for fun. Entertaining young children can be
quite unpredictable so having a few trusted, level-headed friends on hand can
make all the difference.
Having the basics taken care of and some extra strategies in
place are the keys to helping a party go smoothly. One great recommendation for
parties where children are being dropped off is to have a Party Sign-In
Sheet (see below)
at the door. You can tell at a glance who has and has not yet arrived but also
makes sure you have contact numbers and allergy or special concerns information
at your fingertips. We recommend filling in any information you have in advance
to keep things running smoothly. Your advanced preparation will also reassure
the parents that you got their note about Johnny’s peanut allergy and have
likely taken that into account when preparing the food.
TOP 3 TIPS FOR GUESTS
Being a guest has its own set of rules. Being mindful of your
role will make it easier for the host to be at their best.
1. Arrive on time
Children’s parties often have games and activities
planned. It is easier for the host if everyone arrives on time but it is
also easier for the guests. Think about how you feel showing up at a meeting
that has already begun. So if the invitation says 2:00 you should arrive
between 2:00 and 2:10. Arriving early is not a good idea as the host may still be
taking care of the few last minute touches.
2. Be Prepared
Set your child up for success by making sure they are well
rested, fed and have used the bathroom. Even though they will likely be offered
some sort of snack at a party it is a good idea to give your child something to
eat in advance so they can still be at their best even if the snack is served
near the end of the party, is something they don’t care for, or if they are
simply too excited to eat. Help prepare your child by discussing likely
scenarios such as what to do if you need to go to the bathroom or who to ask if
you need something.
3. It’s All About Trust
If you are dropping your child off at the party you have decided
that you trust your host and your child to be alright in your absence. Even if
you are having some separation anxiety, do your best to put on a brave face. If
you show your child that you are worried they are more likely to be nervous. Of
course if you really don’t feel that your child will be safe or be able to
handle the situation find a way to stay and help. I have “volunteered” to help
out more than once, particularly in a busy public place, where I did not feel
that there were enough helpers to supervise.
Your children are children today, but, bit by bit you are
helping them to become adults. The experience they gain attending parties on
their own and learning to interact in different social situations is an
important part of that journey.
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| Birthday Party Sign in Sheet |
Article Source : http://www.whish.ca/blog/95-learning-to-let-go-one-birthday-party-at-a-time?ModPageSpeed=off
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