Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

[midaycare]

Well, I just had my very last party. Ended about 90 minutes ago. I had one kid arrive an hour late, no biggie, his loss, and a dcm who dropped off at 7:30 and then came back at 9:00 to stay for the party. The kids were awful with her there!!! They wouldn't listen to a word I said. I kicked her out at 10:50.

I don't know what parents expect. It's a toddler party. We play really easy games and no one plays them the right way. The parties aren't really that fun. The kids just like seeing everyone together and tossing balloons around.

I'm just so over parties. Wishing I was bc today, who doesn't work on Oct 31st.

[daycarediva]

Our party starts in less than an hour. I can't prep because kids didn't fall asleep. They have already been off with just me here, and now nobody is napping. It should be REALLY interesting. THANK GOD it's only an hour. Never again, though!

[Play Care]

ugh, that sounds awful!
A few years ago I banned costumes because the boys would all be superheros and fight each other
It's been much better but still! I'd rather be closed.

[daycare]

Bummer to read all these party flops. Sorry you all didn't have a better experience. I love Halloween. Never experienced it as a child so for me this is super fun. We had ours Friday and despite the rain it went off with an issue.

[Ariana]

Our Halloween typicially consists of the kids coming in their costumes. Music and dancing and then cupcakes for dessert. Other than this it is a typical day!

Sorry the party was a bummer :dislike:

[Pepperth]

I opened late today so I only have 2 kids: one didn't arrive until lunch. All we've accomplished so far today is eating jack-o-lantern pizza and wearing pj's. After my older son gets home from school, we're going to decorate Halloween cookies. Nothing too exciting here, but the kids are having fun.

[Controlled Chaos]

Sounds rough. When I worked at a center, the parties used to stress the life out of me. Now I tell the parents, "all day is a party at ABC daycare! We're just that fun No grown ups allowed! But I'll send you a picture!" Then we do one special treat, and maybe one activity in the morning (we painted pumpkins) and one in the afternoon (we will dance with streamers while waiting for parents). I get a few good pics. The kids have about the same amount of fun as a normal day

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Well, I just had my very last party. Ended about 90 minutes ago. I had one kid arrive an hour late, no biggie, his loss, and a dcm who dropped off at 7:30 and then came back at 9:00 to stay for the party. The kids were awful with her there!!! They wouldn't listen to a word I said. I kicked her out at 10:50.

I don't know what parents expect. It's a toddler party. We play really easy games and no one plays them the right way. The parties aren't really that fun. The kids just like seeing everyone together and tossing balloons around.

I'm just so over parties. Wishing I was bc today, who doesn't work on Oct 31st.

I once had a Mom INSIST she would come for a Valentine's Day party. All the children did was create Valentines and give them to each other. They were late, all the other children were done, her children sat the table alone to create theirs, and then the Mom instructed all of my children to sing various songs as she marched around (literally marching) singing them. They looked at her like she was crazy. I completely ignored her and they voluntarily left shortly after. But, I said no more parents ever again after that.

We will do a fall festival type of party later this week. When a parent says they want to come I tell them there is no party time because we scatter activities throughout the day so the children aren't overwhelmed. When one wants to come to their child's birthday celebration (all we do is sing happy birthday and eat the treat they brought) then I schedule it for 20 minutes before closing and they watch their child eat and then leave. Almost no one is here and it isn't chaotic. ::

[Indoorvoice]

In lieu of a party this year, we dressed up and went to the zoo on Friday. It was awesome! They came back, ate an amazing lunch, and slept like crazy. When they woke up we played outside until the end of the day. Parents couldn't take off work all morning to go to the zoo with is so I didn't have to worry about them. And I had tons of cute pictures to share. Today, my preschoolers had their party at school so that takes up most of our morning. We went to the end of their party and it was ridiculous chaos and it made me so glad I didn't put myself through that this year. Kids climbing on the tables, pooping their pants, and screaming. Ugh! We made pumpkin pancakes for lunch and will carve a pumpkin after nap and that will be that!

[jenboo]

Once again, the perk of being an under 2 daycare.... they have no idea halloween exists.

[kendallina]

Ugh...that's a bummer!

I do a pajama party on Halloween, no way do I want costumes here. Also, we call it a party, but it's basically just a few Halloween activities within our normal routine...monster mash dance and balloon toss for circle time, make pumpkin playdough for art time, eat ghosts on a stick for snack. Same old morning, I learned long ago that I (or the kids) don't do well when the routine is different.

[daycare]

Once again, the perk of being an under 2 daycare.... they have no idea halloween exists.

..thats super funny.

[Meeko]

I sent home a flyer last week.

NO costumes.....super hero boys just kick the crap out of each other all day. Princess girls trip over their dresses all day.

Not potty friendly, not diapering friendly, Not nap friendly, not meal time friendly....

We painted faces this morning and danced to music and decorated treat bags and had a candy exchange.

Now they are sleeping soundly.

Here's hoping most of them go home early!

[daycare]

I used to get stressed out on halloween parties, but not so much any more.

I set up 10 discovery stations and the kids roam about. they are all halloween theme. I had a few games, but we don't lead the games, we let the kids play with them how they want. We even had a paint the parents photo booth and that was a huge hit.

It's super stress free and I just have to do what I always do, manage behavior.

[LysesKids]

..thats super funny.

I so totally get JENBOO... my kids are 18 months or younger; the craziest we get is a couple of kids come inHalloween colored clothes and they get a glow stick at pick up time... all but one little is being taken TOT tonight