Children's party guide

Children's party guide....

Going to a child's party is fun for the kids but can be daunting for the parents so I have made a simple guide to help you get through and not make the mistakes that I made today. 

• Figure out where you are going before hand. Don't bumble along the road blindly trying to figure out where you are going. I looked like a little lost lamb today  trying to find a leisure centre hidden down a street I had never heard of before with Scarlett moaning: 

"Walking is boring!" 

• Figure out your introduction and figure out the child and parent of the party you are attending as soon as you can if you don't know. I walked into the party today and announced: 

"This is Scarlett." 

To which the birthday boys mother said:

"I know." 

A better introduction would have been:

"Hello, I'm Becky, Scarlett's mum, where is the birthday boy?" 

• Be organised (unlike me.) 45 minutes before the party began I was scrambling around Mortisons supermarket trying to find a present and a card, then I had to get Scarlett to sign the card as soon as I had paid for it...

Sorry about the blurred face, I was in a rush! 

• As above don't stick a fiver in a card if you can't find a suitable present. Buy something and if you don't have time to wrap it, pop it in a gift bag. When Scarlett handed over her card and no wrapped present, we looked a bit stingy. I wanted to say:

"There is money in it, I promise!" 

• Try and keep an eye on your child throughout and apologise to the party boy/girl when your child elbows them in the face. (This may only apply to my child. I was an accident, I think. I'm sure it wasn't because Scarlett wanted the presents.) 

• Try not to laugh when your child throws things at the entertainer. Poor Spider-Man had balls thrown at him and at his own special balls. It was funny though, it physically hurt holding my laughter in. Maybe not as much as Spider-Man hurt though.  

• Try not to look too bored and interact with other parents. I'm blogging as a parent is sitting next to me. (Must follow my own advice and get chatting!)

• Don't eat all of the children's buffett, sausage rolls are lovely but if you eat 7, you will be judged by the other parents. 

And finally...

• When the party is over and your child is fast asleep after a busy afternoon of screaming, run a long hot bath and relax. You have made it through another party!