Annoying: Bday party Fri. @ 5:30.

[ohgillian]

So we (ETA: Actually, DS) got invited to a bday party that is on a Friday at 5:30. The hosts gave a very good reason for the day and time -- it's for a specific event that evening -- but seriously? Seriously? It just kind of feels like, "Hope to see all you SAHMs there; otherwise, just wanted you to know about it."

Maybe I'm just pissy today. But I can't reasonably make that work without leaving work early.

[bunch]

We got invited to a baby shower at 6 on a Friday once and the host was surprised when no one could find a sitter and make it to the party, an hour from where most guests worked. People are strange.

[luvmagoldn]

I just crossed an indoor play place off my list of possible party venues for that very reason - they only do parties from 5:30-7:30.

Not workable for me.

I wouldn't take it personally though.

[Deleted]

I don't think that's terrible. I like friday night parties because they don't impact weekend plans. Any later then it would start cutting into bedtimes.

DD1 was invited to a 5pm bday party, on a Wednesday, across town (30 minute drive). That sucked.

[vanillacourage]

Oct 15, 2012 11:50:02 GMT -5 ohgillian said:

The hosts gave a very good reason for the day and time -- it's for a specific event that evening -

Any chance it was really important to the birthday kid that the party center around this one specific event?

[UnderProtest]

Better than my in laws who schedule the kids birthday parties at 5pm on Sunday's no matter when the actual day is. Uhmmmm, we live 7 hours away and my husband works (and can't take too much time off). You have pretty much assured we can never come to your kids' partis.

[definitelyO]

I like 5:30pm better as a working mom who could actually make that time. than some of the other stuff that happens right after school - 3pm ish which I can never make. I think that 5:30 does a good job of INCLUDING working parents.

but depending on DS's age it could cut into bedtime, etc....

[6fsn]

I really don't see this as a working parent/sahp issue. There will never be a time that please everyone.

[curbsideprophet]

5:30 on a Friday seems like a pretty good time to me. It would not impact weekend plans, it is late enough to get there after work and is earlier enough that we could be there a little while before bedtime.

[Deleted]

I have never been invited to a kid's birthday party that didn't interfere with work, nap, bedtime, etc. I'd just roll with it, or decline if you really can't get there that early.

[hannamaren]

Oct 15, 2012 12:49:59 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

5:30 on a Friday seems like a pretty good time to me. It would not impact weekend plans, it is late enough to get there after work and is earlier enough that we could be there a little while before bedtime.

I guess it depends on where you live. In my hometown, everyone who works 9-5 would be home by 530. In my current busy city, you would be barely out of the street you work on.

[grk2012]

5:30 isn't that weird. When I was working FT, I was done at 4pm, and DH is done by 5pm. Friday is a little interesting IMO, as that's when most people really just want to go home and relax after the workweek. But the time itself doesn't seem like it's SAHM-exclusive.

[ECB]

Oct 15, 2012 12:49:53 GMT -5 6fsn said:

I really don't see this as a working parent/sahp issue. There will never be a time that please everyone.

This. There is never a perfect time to throw a party. And these days, I'm starting to like Friday night parties - as said, I can usually get there after work, it doesn't impact the rest of the weekend, and if it's a night that DH works, it gives me something to do to kick off the weekend!

[fortmyersbride]

Eh. The 12:30-2pm party DS was just invited to was clearly for SAHPs and babysitters to bring the kids to. I could see someone expecting that others are out of work by 5:30pm, but I suppose that doesn't really give enough time to pick up the kids and take them to the party.

Any later than that though, aren't you cutting it close to bedtime?

[h]

I would find it annoying. I don't know anyone who works full-time who could leave work at their normal time, pick up their kids, and get to a party by 5:30. I could make it work, but depending on the party location I would have to leave work at least a half hour earlier than usual to make it happen--and I work "part-time."

But I agree there is no pleasing everyone. My kids go to bed late and don't nap, so I have no problem with parties that start later in the evening or happen mid-day on Saturday or Sunday, but I know others find that inconvenient.

[ohgillian]

Thanks, all. It always helps me to get some perspective. I agree with the PPs who said that it depends on your town and where you live. As in, the earliest I coudl get somewhere with DS would be 6:30, based on where my work is, where my home is, and where the party is.

But, as I said, they did plan it around a specific event, so I get that.

I will gracefully decline, because appreciate the perspectives.

[ohgillian]

Oct 15, 2012 14:28:47 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Oct 15, 2012 14:25:29 GMT -5 ohgillian said:

Thanks, all. It always helps me to get some perspective. I agree with the PPs who said that it depends on your town and where you live. As in, the earliest I coudl get somewhere with DS would be 6:30, based on where my work is, where my home is, and where the party is.

But, as I said, they did plan it around a specific event, so I get that.

I will gracefully decline, because appreciate the perspectives.

I'm not sure how old your kiddo is, but if we got invited to a party at 6:30 or 7, we would only be able to stay for an hour to get Lu in bed by 8-ish (which is a pretty normal bedtime for young kids).

I agree that later would also be hard. I guess I am used to bday parties being during the morning or day on Sat. or Sunday. DS has never been invited to a Friday party before.

[froggy76]

I think that's a great time. I could easily skip out of work a little early on a Friday afternoon to get there on time. Yeah, it makes for a hectic evening, but then it's not taking up an entire afternoon on the weekend.

[galaxy8227]

Oct 15, 2012 16:58:38 GMT -5 suzubell said:

I could easily make it to a 5:30 party and work full time. I think it just depends on your schedule.

Same here--I get out of work at 4 so a 5:30 party would work fine for me--I know that it wouldn't work for everyone though

[bronxgirl]

There's no way to please everyone.