Children's birthday party invites - how do you handle it when you have too many ?

Spendless

What year has your son gone into? My DS had around 80 in his year (3 classes) and DD just under 70 (2 classes) and for both only really Reception and a little of yr 1 (usually the Autumn born kids whose parents hadn't done a party as they started f-time school ) were whole class invites. From yr 1 & 2 it started knocking down to friends only, and my DD only got 1 party invite for the whole of yr 3 and we couldn't go as we were away. Towards the end of the Primary years DS started getting whole school year invites, for something like private hire of swimming pool or ice-rink from people holding joint parties.

property.advert

Thanks for the replies.

Not stressed out, just not really having enough information to prioritise as friendships are constantly evolving after only a few weeks. We just haven't faced this type of thing before and whilst a simple "sorry we cannot make it" will surely suffice, I guess I wish we didn't have to make up excuses.

kjmtidea

I have 4 children who are in school and most weekends are taken up by parties but it is all good fun. On the odd occasion that we can't make it, I normally just send a text saying sorry he can't come but I hope he/she has a lovely party.
As long as you let them know, that is the main thing.

ailuro2

This will tail off after a couple of years when all but the most foolish realise that not many people want to spend a couple of hours every weekend watching other folks kids run around a gym with an inflatable in it.

when it comes to your kid's birthday, take them to the cinema or out to tea, that way it's only who can fit in the car that can go because kids of 5 shouldn't be wily enough to suggest that the rest of the class can get their parents to drop them off, lol!

Closest friends only for parties in this house - this year DD is 13 and will be having a Twilight themed sleepover with a few friends, she was offered to go out for a meal with lots of her friends but preferred to have just a few for a sleepover isntead.

globetraveller

property.advert wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Not stressed out, just not really having enough information to prioritise as friendships are constantly evolving after only a few weeks. We just haven't faced this type of thing before and whilst a simple "sorry we cannot make it" will surely suffice, I guess I wish we didn't have to make up excuses.

Probably best not to invent excuses as your child might have to lie about what they did. To be honest, the parents are probably delighted that they have a few who can't manage:)
I do feel sorry when I see invites being handed out and the faces of those who don't get. However, I suppose its part of growing up- dealing with the disappointments as well as the good things.
Remember, children socialise in the playground with others not in their class so you might get even more invites to deal with:eek::rotfl:

balletshoes

property.advert wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Not stressed out, just not really having enough information to prioritise as friendships are constantly evolving after only a few weeks. We just haven't faced this type of thing before and whilst a simple "sorry we cannot make it" will surely suffice, I guess I wish we didn't have to make up excuses.

"sorry we can't make it" isn't an excuse if you have something else on. If you child doesn't want to go to the party, "sorry we can't make it" is still okay - you can't make it because your child doesn't want to go . That covers all your bases in my opinion - you don't need the "who like who best this week" information at all at that age, just ask your child if they want to go. As lots of others have said, in a couple of years the whole class invitation is pared down to half a dozen invites anyway.

FatVonD

victory wrote: »

Yes I remember my son's crestfallen face after realising that he had been 'invited' at school but when it came to the actual invitations going out, he did not get one, oh the poor boy, then comes the I am your mum and these are the reasons why this could be and he listens, shrugs his shoulders and says 'but I am not going am I mum?' Oh the pain.

I got a lump in my throat just reading that!

OP, maybe just remembering to send a birthday card for the ones you can't make would be a nice idea?

Janepig

property.advert wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Not stressed out, just not really having enough information to prioritise as friendships are constantly evolving after only a few weeks. We just haven't faced this type of thing before and whilst a simple "sorry we cannot make it" will surely suffice, I guess I wish we didn't have to make up excuses.

Why do you need to make up excuses? All the host needs to know is if your child is going to be at the party or not. They don't need to know why. Keep it simple. Just text or reply to say "sorry, *** won't be at the party, but thanks for the invite".

Jx