Party Manners for Hosts & Guests by Janeen Lewis
Birthday parties are opportune events to teach children, not only party etiquette, but a graciousness that goes beyond rules. Whether your child is the host or the guest, you can make teaching children party etiquette fun.
Be discreet.
Be clear with boundaries.
Be social.
l For hosts:
l For hosts:
l For hosts:
If possible, you might consider inviting the entire team or class. However, that doesn’t always work out, so in that case, snail mail or email invites, and teach your child not to talk about his party in front of children who aren’t invited. However, be realistic. It’s hard to keep a preschooler or kindergartner from talking about her party. If you start having discussions about being discreet when children are young, they will handle the situation appropriately when they are older. l For guests:
It is disappointing when your child is not invited to a party, but disappointment provides an opportunity to coach your child through early let downs in life. Explain that he may be invited to the next party when someone else is not. If your child does receive an invitation, teach her to treat the matter with the same delicacy she did as the host. 20 Atlanta Parent September 2018
Human beings need boundaries. When we have them we feel more comfortable about the setting that we are in, so be clear about party guidelines in the invitation. Give a time, date and place, and let parents know if the party is a drop-off party or if they should stay. Let them know if adults will be eating too. Sometimes parents are invited to have the main course (for example pizza) and the sweet treat. Sometimes they are just invited to have cake. You also may want to add a note about whether siblings may attend. l For guests:
If it is an at-home party, stay in the areas the host is in. Don’t go into other rooms without permission, and if a bathroom is needed, ask which one is for guests. If the party is at an offsite venue, have your child follow all of the rules of the establishment. If the host doesn’t specify guidelines about the party in the invitation, never assume. For instance, don’t eat the food or cake, or bring your entire family (or even extra siblings) if you haven’t asked the host.
Meet and greet each child as they arrive. Have the birthday host play with everyone so no one feels left out. Make an effort to include everyone and give everyone a chance at each game. Say “good-bye” and thank guests for coming when the party is over. l For guests:
Let the host know that you are there. Make an effort to play with the host and other guests and not form cliques that exclude other party guests. When you are ready to leave, be sure to tell the host “good-bye.”
It is disappointing when your child is not invited to a party, but disappointment provides an opportunity to coach your child through early let downs in life. atlantaparent.com
