We are invited with family to a 1st birthday party. The host is a collegue from work, but my family and I don't know him very well. But got to go. It is at an upscale restaurant, but no entertainment planned for the kids. More like lots of their family from around the country gathering plus some other guests invited too.
My 9 yr does not know any of the kids, and they are likely to be mostly under 5, or boys. Would it be ok if she reads a book for part of the time? I mean at times other than eating, little bit of introduction to others, cake cutting? I so don't want to see a looong face or visual "I am bored" signals sent my way the whole time? Its weird, but the hosts would feel bad if we just didn't take her...or only stopped by for a short while, so those options are ruled out.
2007-08-17 16:58:36 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I think it would be okay to have as a back up (the host would probably rather see a reader than a child who is huffing and rolling their eyes and doing the fake yawn), but when you get there, try and get your child involved.
Have her try some of these:
*Offer to help watch the smaller children, so that the adults can socialize without being too preoccupied with their own kids (who knows, she may even get a 'tip').
*If there is no entertainment planned, the younger kids will get bored too and would probably love a few games, like duck-duck-goose or Simon Says. Encourage her to have a few ideas ready to engage the younger crowd. Maybe even pack some coloring pages and crayons to share.
*Ask if she can be the gift recorder; write down the gifts and who they are from as the birthday child opens them.
*Ask if she can be the one that hands the gifts to the child to be opened or takes the wrappings away when he's done.
*Ask if she can help with anything else, such as bringing cake slices to guests. Or even the napkins or forks.
*Borrow a digital camera and be an extra photographer. You can send a disk of the pictures to the host later. Most 9 year olds can take decent pictures and love to use a camera.
I think a book would be okay, but I would really only suggest she uses it as a last resort. If the host would feel bad that the child didn't attend, my guess is that the host will feel bad for 'making' the child bored.
~Kyanna
2007-08-17 17:11:39 · answer #1 · answered by Kyanna S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be OK to bring a book, but I'd also suggest bringing one of her favorite books that you read to her as a child so maybe she could read to the little ones.
I guarantee that the little ones would love it and look up to her especially as there is no entertainment planned for the little children. But, if the party is at an upscale restaurant with a meal, a birthday cake and I imagine opening presents, I think she could be grown-up for a couple of hours without reading her book and maybe learn to make polite conversation with those seated by her.
What do you do when you go out to dinner as a family?
Do you allow her to bring a book along to read while she is waiting for the meal?
Some hosts might consider her reading a book as rude.
I think you should allow her to bring one and have her keep it in her lap or your purse. She can take the lead from you if you feel it would be appropriate or OK to read while you are at the party.
Can't tell you how many times I wish I could have bought a book with to the numerous, boring baby showers, bridal showers and parties that I have been too. This could be just one of those life lessons that have to be learned.
2007-08-17 17:22:18 · answer #2 · answered by chansenfam@sbcglobal.net 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd leave her home. It won't be any fun for her. Tell the hosts that she had other things she needed to do. Let it go at that.
I don't understand why people would invite such a mixture of people to a party for a 1 year old. The 1 year old won't care. And lots of the guests wouldn't know the child anyway.
2007-08-17 17:46:13 · answer #3 · answered by kiwi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea, it sounds good-but I only say that because of the prediciment that you're in. I guess as long as it doesn't look like you made her read, they'll just think it's her hobby. Or maybe it'll seem (after a while) that she is bored and they will get the hint not to invite her next time.
Good luck!
2007-08-17 17:11:41 · answer #4 · answered by CruelChick 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever tried Night at the Museum? You turn off all the lights and one boy walks around witha flashlight. THe other people try to move without him catching them. The concept of the game is to act like statues that are alive but the night guard ( the boy with the flashlight) cant see you move.
2016-05-22 00:25:50 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say yes, let her pack a little bag with a few books and maybe a couple coloring books and crayons and a pad to draw on.
2007-08-17 17:14:56 · answer #6 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES, reading is wonderful for kids, but make sure the child reads something he/she is interested about
2007-08-17 17:24:19 · answer #7 · answered by maxturbo211 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ya its fine to let her read but she should try making friends with some of the other kids, it will probably be more excited for her, and if shes shy try helping her
2007-08-17 17:10:48 · answer #8 · answered by Kitty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say yes-if they MUST have her attend but the other children will all be younger, they can't expect her to just sit there.
2007-08-17 17:05:53 · answer #9 · answered by barbara 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋