Birthday party etiquette -- do parents of 6-year-old guests have to stay at party?

[tearsofpixies08]

Okay, I don't get that, whenever I had a birthday party my mom only let me have over 5 friends because that's she can handle. I've never heard anything about parents staying at another childs birthday party, and I live in the ghetto...I don't get that, sure come inside see how everything is going and then you leave so you don't get in the kids way. If you stayed there wouldn't your child be more apt to stay with you then wander around with (his or her) friend. I just don't get that...
just tell her you can not make it because you have to get your house ready but that you will be there to pick him up. That is all that should be expected from you.

[luv my little ones]

If it bothers you to stay and help, than dont go.....
I personally would not drop my daughter off to a party by herself yet...just me...btw...she is 6.

[denmark108]

I don't really care for the tone in the mom's response. She should have said something like "You are welcome to drop off or stay." This is what I always write on my kids' invitations. But it sounds like you don't know this mom - so wouldn't you want to stay anyway?

[lookingfor1227]

I would say with any party unless the kids are a lot older it is just expected that the parent would stay. I have partys for my kids I want the parents to stay and be somewhat responsible for thier child. Now if someone says we can't make it I have this or that to do or what ever then I may offer to let them drop them off. The same if I am taking my child to a party. If I need to be doing other things at that time I just say we can't make it we have this or that to do. For the most part it is asumed the parent will be staying when talking about kids younger than about 13 or 14.