ParentingBench · Juror QuinnStamped Not Guilty
Judge me for leaving the birthday at bedtime and taking the gift?
My five-year-old was done at 7:40. The invitation said 4 to 8. Cake was at 6. We sang. We ate. At 7:40 my child was on the floor in a coat. I said goodbyes. I took the goodie bag they had already handed us.
The host texted that leaving before 8 'looked like we didn't want to be there' and that taking the bag was 'collecting and running.' I said a done child is done. I offered to mail a thank-you. I did not go back.
Other parents stayed until the balloons looked tired.
Their side
They would say the window was printed, that early exits make the remaining kids feel dropped, and that the bag is for people who complete the party.
Ask: Does a printed end time outrank a child on the floor, and does the bag have to stay?
The jury
Guilty17 · 20%
Not Guilty52 · 60%
Both14 · 16%
Hung4 · 5%