Would you have a child's party in a park which is right next to a river? A very large, fast flowing river?
Little Miss is turning six in February, and she wants a party. She hasn't had one before, so I want to do one. I'm thinking at this riverside park; there are three playgrounds (two are fenced, one them is further away from the river, but not near toilets), park tables and benches, toilets, undercover area, bbq's, rotunda, ampitheatre, pond, and heaps of grassed area.
I am concerned about the river, and pond now that I have gone through what is at the park in my mind... The pond is overgrown with lilies, and easy to fall into.
So aside from my own kids, there will, obviously, be a number of other six year olds. It would he a good idea if I enlisted the help of at least two other Mum's to watch where the kids are, wouldn't it? And also if they want other siblings to attend, I suppose Mum or Dad should hang around... ? I do when DS goes to a birthday with DD.
Thoughts? Or am I just being an overly concerned city gal, when all the country kids know not to go near the river?
Where I live people have parties in the park by the river all the time and it's never been an issue. The kids are always concentrating more on playing on the playground than playing in the river. If anyone's concerned that their child won't be safe, perhaps ask them to stay for the party.
Where you are hun everyone knows the dangers of 'that' river IYKWIM so i would not have an issue having a party there.
If your worried you could easily write on the invitation that you request parents to stay and assist with supervision of their child due to water safety?
Maybe you could ask the local council if whie your there you are allowed to peg off a small area - use the long tent pegs and tie some pretty ribbon to it.. tell the kids they are not allowed past the ribbon without an adult?
Thank you Tinks and ZF. I figured it *should* be okay, and yeah, I guess everyone here knows about the river, and if hey are concerned then they'll hang around anyway. I'm thinking about asking a couple of friends to hang around, at the very least for my sanity! And their kids will be there too. And ZF, I really like the idea of the ribbon. Thank you again!
I'm going against the grain and saying I wouldn't.. If parents are staying and can take responsibility for their own kids, then maybe (but I probably still wouldn't) but what if the parents don't stay? What if your helpers are busy with other kids, it only takes a second for a child to go wandering.. If you are going to I like the idea of a ribbon though..
Up to you babe, locals know the river - if they are not comfortable they will stay or not come.
If I were closer I would let my kids, but they are well aware of the rules there.
I wouldn't plan one for my own child near water like that, because I would be stressed to the max. Worrying about my children near the water and the people, and games, and food, and the party. It would be too much for me personally.
In saying that though, I would probably attend a party for someone else! Especially if the playgrounds are fenced in.
I would definitely specify that parents have to stay with their child/ren. I wouldn't be taking on the potential responsibility of someone else's child in my care drowning.....
I don't know the particular river or town you are speaking of, but from the information you have provided... no. I would not want to be responsible for other people's children in this circumstance and I wouldn't leave my children at a party very near a river like you have described (well, any river really!). Although the local children may 'know' the rules around the river, they are six years old and it only takes a moment for a child to drown. Too great a risk for me.
Out of interest, how close to the river would the party be? I am picturing maybe 20-30 metres away??
Cool, thanks for all the different points of view. I'm thinking maybe in the far playground, which is fenced. There's a cafe right next to it, so I guess there are toilets there. And any mum's that stay can get their caffiene fix. I think there is one table and two benches at that one, but we can take along a trestle table or two... And lots of shade.
Nickle; I'm really hopeless with distance, so I will describe it the best I can. There's the riverbank, then a walking track along the top of the bank, then a carpark road with 90 degree parking all its length. Right next to the carpark is the park itself. One fenced playground, one unfenced playground, bbq area, undercover tables, and rotunda are all within a few metres of the carpark. The pond is marginally further away. The ampitheatre, cafe and other fenced playground are on the other side, furthest away from the river, and big open grass areas in between. The river is the Murray.
I don't want the added stress of possible drownings to contend with at the party. I knowit only takes a second.
We live close to the river and there is a party or three at the riverside park every weekend. Big kids, little kids, international students, footy teams... Everyone parties there. I'd have no qualms with it at all.
Must be honest and say I wouldn't. My opinion only, but kids generally think they're bullet-proof, and if I couldn't guarantee that DH and I were able to keep tabs on all the kids all the time, then I wouldn't feel comfortable having a party with potentially hyped-up, excited kids (particularly younger siblings) next to a fast-flowing river. Having said that, if the kids' parents were all in attendance, then I probably would feel more comfortable as I'd anticipate that they'd keep tabs on their kids.
Interesting one. I certainly don't believe in cotton-wooling kids, but I'm all for being risk averse when we're talking a potential (albeit very, very, VERY unlikely) drowning scenario.
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Children's party, next to a river?
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