How would you handle this tactfully? My 8-year-old has been invited to a birthday party....

Sounds like you should just tell your child he or she cannot go. You cannot change the park's rules. They can be dangerous. And they likely won't care to talk to you. You are the parent. Make a decision. And tell your child why.

LadyGrace · 70-79

I wouldn't worry about a thing. I would let my son go and have a great time and not let him worry about such things. I guess everybody has to do it. It's apparently where they wanted to have their party and they have most likely talked to management before making the arrangements, so I would just go, have a good time for a few hours, come home, and everything's fine.

nonsensiclesnail · F

A phone call won’t remedy that.
I’m certain they know someone will sue eventually and there is nothing you can do to create fear that is right or legal.

MikeSp · 56-60, M

I like to know what others say about a business. In this case, check any public records. In the US we can go online and search court filings, county and city clerk documents, state corporate registrations, etc. Use the business name or doing business as name in the search features and see if anyone has sued for negligence, injuries, etc. and won.
See if they have all the required licenses, property zoning, property taxes paid up to date, etc. If they have failed in these areas, a judge may void their waivers.
These waivers may already be unenforcable due to established law but no one had challenged them.

Carissimi · F

I wouldn’t send a child to an event where if the park was negligent, not maintaining equipment or whatever, and your child is injured. You will have to weigh up your child’s disappointment or their safety. If you accompany her/him, it could be safer because you’d be watching. You can’t make sure they won’t be negligent because perhaps they are not aware of an impending potential hazard.

WolfGirlwh0r3 · 36-40, T

Well sadly man the waiver is how they cover themselves from moves just like that, in their view its also the party or guests responsibility to watch kids and teens not just theirs, but if you want to ensure your kid is safe it may be easier if you or their mum go with as a precaution

Jenny1234 · 51-55, F

8 is kind of young for a water park party isn’t it?

Justafantasy · M

Most of those "parks" have reasons for the waivers, my kids and I go to a variety of them regularly. If you don't like the activity don't go seems to obvious.

AbbeyP · 70-79, F

Depends what they are going to do at the party. If they are just going to run around there is no harm. We went to lots of parties at parks and there was none of this. The park is just trying to indemnify itself in case a kid falls out of a tree

SteelHands · 61-69, M

They aren't taking responsibility for some poorly parented hellion. You need to watch your kids and if you have a bad one don't let it go in.

Legally they can't say this though that seems to be the message.

oldercanuck1 · 70-79, M

Well to h=be honest i would not let my child go ,, it would not be the first time i stopped my children when they where young from going to someplace i did not think was safe or i went with them ,,,