Emily's Party, Sorry it Took so Long to Post, - I'm embarrassed to post how it went

Kirstenmumof3 wrote: I can't believe how badly it went! I thought by 10 they would have a little more self control. I've never been so angry. They got bored too easily, the craft I had planned only took them 10min. to do. So they decided to go RUNNING through the museum. I rounded them all back up and had them working on a Buffy Word Search Puzzle that I made on the computer. As soon as they were done that it was back to RUNNING through the musuem. I rounded them back up and we feed them. Then they went RUNNING through the museum again. I don't know how many times I talked to them, but they just wouldn't listen. DH was completely useless! Finally got them all to come back to the room for cake and Spencer had to go to the bathroom. A few of the girls FOLLOWED him to the boys bathroom, then one of the girls announced this and they all went running out of the room! I lost it and yelled that if they stepped foot in that bathroom the party would be OVER! Cake was done and I had them sitting in a circle so Emily could open presents, they were insane and so LOUD! When that was over we still had 45 minutes until the parenst came and a few of them wanted to see the first floor galaries, so I let them go downstairs, DH was already down there. They took the elevator down and as they were going down I heard "One, Two, Three JUMP!" They were JUMPING in the elevator! That was it, I went downstairs and found them running through the galarie! I told them all to go back upstairs. I put on another episode of Buffy and waited until the parents go there. My DH said absolutely nothing to the girls! Please tell me I'm not overreacting here, because I'm starting to have doubts about the way I handled everything. I'm so angry. And I have had 2 parents call because I yelled at there children. I only yelled twice. And when I got them all back up to the second floor, I explained to them how dangerous it was to jump in the elevator and to run through the museum. I don't understand how such a perfectly planned party could go so wrong. Nothing I did was appreciated by Emily or her friends.

amynicole21 replied: Oh man, that stinks! All of that hard work turned to chaos I don't know much about 10yo girls, but I remember being pretty unruly at that age. I'm sorry it didn't go as well as you thought it would. What did Emily have to say about the whole thing?

mammag replied: Yeah, I learned that lesson having a sleepover with 6 girls....won't do it again. I think it was pretty rude of the other mom to call you. If she left the party then she left her daughter in your care and that means you are in charge of discipline along with safety. I wouldn't let that bother you and I probably wouldn't invite that child over anymore. I find that even when Kristen has one friend over it gets a little wild but at least I'm able to easily get them to calm down.

Sorry it didn't go well.

gr33n3y3z replied: I'm sorry it didnt go so well
It did sound like a fun place to go
That is one reason we have family parties and thats it

A&A'smommy replied: OMG I would have lost it too!! I don't how you could have handled it any better did you explain to the parents how the children acted? If mine was one of those she would have been in trouble ((((HUGS)))) I'm sorry itd didn't go well!

ediep replied: oh no!!! That really stinks!!!! I would be furious too! So sorry that all your planning turned into choas
I think that was very rude for parents to call you, like mammag said, if they left their child in you care, then you are responsible.

GavinsMommy replied: Having a 9 year old sister...I'd say they acted pretty "normal" for their age. I guess it's just a phase they go through to act out and be loud, etc. I don't think you were necessarily "wrong" in yelling if they weren't listening, being that you were in such a place as a museum! But I do know that I wouldn't have because of potential parents calling. They can be so crucial! Anyway, I think you did your best, and sorry things didn't go well. (((hugs))) You did your best!!! Kids are hard to please!

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Thanks everyone! Emily, despite all the chaos had a good time. I guess that's the main thing. But we've learned that we won't be doing this again. Next year it will be just a few close friends over for cake.

GavinsMommy replied:
Good idea

Alice replied: The parents who called to complain are the explanation for the kids' behavior. If I ever found out that my kids got in trouble at a party, I would kill them-- after I had them write you a letter of apology!!!!

Once should have been enough-- once you yelled at them, they should have settled down. They're 10, not 2; they shouldn't need a zillion reminders.

I think you handled it well. I'm sure the other people at the museum appreciated your efforts to reign in the noise.

gr33n3y3z replied:
that sounds like a great idea and you will have your sanity also

kimberley replied: omg what a nightmare! i agree with Alice, those parents that called you should have been apologizing for their child's rotten behavior, not yelling at you . sorry it didn't go so great but hopefully next year things will be better.