[Aliantha]

I remember going to birthday parties in Grade 1 where I just got dropped off and Mum would come back a couple of hours later, and that was pretty much the way of it all the time unless my Mum and my friends Mum were friends and she stuck around to help out.

It's been mostly like that with my boys too. A few Mum's hang around to help out, but peripheral parents go home and come back. The only time I've ever seen a whole heap of parents stay is when the invitation specifically says that there'll be 'adult snacks' served to please feel free to stay. Normally in that situation I'd stay because I would think the parent is tacitly requesting it.