No replies for DDs party - advice

patchwork_cat

pigpen wrote: »

Today DD5 came out with 2 invites.. 1 is most sensible.. church hall. blah blah.. yeah NP... the other is terrible.. 2:30 in XX park... !!!!!!? Where abouts? etc.. there is no way I am leaving my daughter just to be 'in the park' with a bunch of total strangers.. so I am sending DD1 with her.. she can manage a couple of hours park life.. This is one of the parents I do not know by sight.

I hate childrens parties so avoid it by not having any! On the VERY rare occasion I have been persuaded to have one we have invited twice as many children as we wanted knowing at least half will not come.

Worst I think we have ever had is 3/12 not coming not 1/2.

bestpud

thatgirlsam wrote: »

i do not allow my children to hand out invites as we can't invite the whole class ( done it once, never again) .. so half the class or more are not invited but wait patiently for their invitations.. i know this is a lesson in life but i am a big softy and it upsets me to see their faces

so i give them discreetly to their mums so there is no fuss about it , the same with thank you letters

I do that too, although it is far easier with my youngest as there is only 15 of them in her class so I just invite the lot if she is having a proper party.

Now she is older, she just wants girls and there is only 6 of them in her class so that's quite a nice number for a get together.

I would only invite two to something smaller - any more than that and I'd feel I was singling them out iyswim.

Aaagh

We all lead busy lives, but if you have kids then part and parcel of that is to organise your calendar and it is courteous to reply to invites. It doesn't take long to send a text or fill in a slip and it really helps those organising a party.

I'm sure it's not always the way, but I've organised a party for DS's 5th birthday and nearly all of the people who haven't replied are young parents. I'm not saying they all haven't, but those that are still left to reply are. Could just be a coincidence.

Also, I would have thought most hospital appointments are on week days but most parties are at the weekend ....

emsywoo123

Aaagh wrote: »

We all lead busy lives, but if you have kids then part and parcel of that is to organise your calendar and it is courteous to reply to invites. It doesn't take long to send a text or fill in a slip and it really helps those organising a party.

I'm sure it's not always the way, but I've organised a party for DS's 5th birthday and nearly all of the people who haven't replied are young parents. I'm not saying they all haven't, but those that are still left to reply are. Could just be a coincidence.

Also, I would have thought most hospital appointments are on week days but most parties are at the weekend ....

Controversial :eek::D

katieclampet

A bit of topic, but I have been reading this thread with interest. I think people are generally more lax at RSVPing these days. Over the last couple of years we have had several largish family events, where it was quite important to get numbers of people attending.

I have invariably ended up having to ring round, despite putting in a "reply by date", and also mobile phone no. I am not bothered about a formal RSVP, a call or text, saying "we'd love to come" or "sorry can't make it" would do. I have found it isn't just younger people either.

katiex

eckythump

I overheard 2 Mums at school discussing a party invite,neither one of them understood what RSVP meant.
I will be making sure I put a little note on my D.S invitations just to be sure.

flippin36

If it is of any help OP I have the same thing every year. Its always the same people that seem to forget and I have to chase it up. Although it is rude not to reply and have to be chased for an answer, these particular mums are in fact very lovely parents who are just a bit "scatterbrainy" . Don't take it personally, every year gets a bit easier as you learn a few tricks.

Childrens parties are a great way to get to know the other parents as you all tend to have a bit of a chin wag whilst the kids are playing.

patchwork_cat

eckythump wrote: »

I overheard 2 Mums at school discussing a party invite,neither one of them understood what RSVP meant.
I will be making sure I put a little note on my D.S invitations just to be sure.

You are kidding?! I do wonder about some people's intellect.

daska

patchwork_cat wrote: »

You are kidding?! I do wonder about some people's intellect.

I just know I'm going to sound really old but it reflects the values of today's society: sod you mate as long as I'm ok. There is little or no value placed on formal manners, I've been gobsmacked by the behaviour of some of my children's friends who obviously have no idea that they are being rude, let alone how to be polite. Down to not even bothering to ask before they open a can of my beer (age 13) and neck it in front of me!