9 o’clock birthday invitation!

I am around
Rofl with the grammar police

Hithere, some people really detest Americans. The OP even stated she was Danish and didn't speak English well. Still accused of being an American.

Iamaround
As a European living in the US for decades, I am sadly too familiar with that.

Do not let that deter you from posting.
Welcome to GN

Hithere, you know me! It is freedom. I had to change my user name. Still trying to get my old one back.

Sorry, my brain didn't connect the dots
(Lowering my head in shame)

It's Ok.

This is hardly about a 3 year old child’s birthday party! I wouldn’t go. There are going to be just 3 children and 8 adults. The poor little 3 year old is NOT going to enjoy a bit of it.

It is the parents attempt to celebrate their child's 3rd birthday with close family & friends.
A 'just' 3 yr old will have little understanding of the concept of birthday or party!
Choosing a time when the child will be at his best socially and be happier to see less familiar faces and engage with visitors seems sensible!
I do not think all those people wedded to afternoon parties with jelly, ice cream & cake or who feel this is pandering to a child's wishes are necessarily right.
I agree that if child's parents knew it was a long/ early journey for grandad & step grandma they could have chatted that through with them & explained the thinking..but we don't know the relationship between the adults.
If said child usually sleeps at 11:30 for a couple of hours that would rule out a lunchtime gathering. Why have people there to celebrate a child's birthday if child is sleeping when you are there..or being kept awake, grizzling & unhappy? Maybe other toddlers are coming for a tea party in the afternoon. To answer the OP I do not think this is a case of project child, just good enough parents trying to please people & celebrate a little boy's birthday.

9am for a child’s party is just weird. Should be after the nap not before imo.

My Grandson was 3 in February and he certainly understands the concept of Birthday parties, He's been to quite a few recently and they have all been morning parties. They have all been held at venues never at home. Soft play seems a very popular venue. Personally I didn't attend my GS's even though it was local. I see nothing wrong with the parents not wanting to interfere with his nap time. I find it odd that an adult would be put out they're unable to attend. He'll probably be extremely Hyper and you'll dodge a bullet by not attending. You can visit at a more appropriate time when he is less Hyped up.

I am sure there are other people here who held family get togethers for their children's birthdays separately to the occasion when their friends came? I think today birthday parties, cake smashes, etc etc are held for much younger children. I don't think I had a party before I started school nor did I have one for my children's friends until they were at school.
Is it all part of the guilt some parents are made to feel because they cannot be full time carers for their children?

Is this thread really about the birthday party or about a parenting style which is felt to be inappropriate?

PECS for some of us I think it is a result of covid and feeling like we have missed out on so much. My child hasn’t met most of my family until their first birthday party. The party was purely so people could meet them

9am is a bit early! and simply to accommodate a child’s nap time!!! Their choice of course and in your position I would go with the flow. Children can adapt to a change of routine providing of course there are no special needs. I find that having a birthday party at that time of day purely to ensure there is no disruption to nap time a bit too much! Having said that you will enjoy party I am sure.

I find it interesting how many adults think a child who still naps is more adaptable to change than they are

Summerlove, or that the person complaining about a party being planned around one single person wants the party planned around one single person.

I guess they don't see the irony in that though.