[RowdysMom]

I think it depends on how old your son is - if he is 6 or less, then I'd say you should stay.

I know how you feel though, I don't like to be in crowds where I don't know anyone either. But sometimes I would take my granddaughter to a b-day party. We always stayed with her until she was older. I would be uncomfortable too, but I just sat back away from the "crowd".

I have been to some parties where some of the parents left and the kids were not very well behaved. It can cause the host parents some problems.

Also, do you know the parents? Are you comfortable with them being responsible for the child? Is the party at their home or in a public place? Would you leave your child with these parents if it weren't a b-party? I wouldn't leave a child with parents that I didn't know very well. If your child plays regularly at this friends house (and the party is at the house), then I like the idea of asking the parents if they need you to stay.

All these things play into the decision to stay or go imho.