what would you do in this birthday party situation?

fly_dragon_fly

I know a lot of you are parents so would like some advice please,


My son is turning 7 next week and I had invited 7 of his class mates bowling, turns out 5 of the 7 cant come as the have karate on the friday of the party so I offered to change the time but got another excuse about football the next day so I am trying to organise another day for them so he can have a party and have been told that basically the only day that might work is a Tuesday ( as i can't do weekends as i work) but even then some wouldn't come because it is a school night and they go to bed at 6:30pm so what would you parents do in this situation?


It's breaking my heart to think he might not have a party at all

balletshoes

Can't you just do a birthday tea straight from school until say 5.30pm or 6pm on the Tuesday that suits you and most other parents? I'm sure the boys would enjoy that just as much as bowling as that age, the main thing is they are together celebrating and making a racket somewhere for a couple of hours .

abitofhelp

Have you asked your son what he would like. If he is happy with just a couple of his friends turning up the there would be no reason not to have the bowling party. There are so many activities after school now for kids its hard to keep up.
I remember when i was child we had a small tea party at home but with two boys myself i know how times have changed. (and how hard it is to ensure everyone is kept happy)

Sally_A

Take your son and the 2 that can make it on an extra special treat, you have already saved 5x bowling costs. Maybe a sleepover too, as the 3 of them are manageable.

Yes it may mean fewer pressies, but surely fun on his birthday will outweigh that, and it is surprising how quickly the amount of pressies is irrelevant to having a good time with a couple of good mates.

Explain the options to your son, he may be only 7, but his input is invaluable, and will help him understand that things don't always go quite to plan.

gibson123

I agree with the sleep-over idea, you often find that busy parents running from pillar to post, can accommodate anyone willing to take their little cherubs overnight!

the_cat

It's not ideal but any chance you can take a days holiday from work? Then you could have the party at the weekend when more might be able to make it.

I'd still go for the 2 friends/sleepover idea as a first choice unless your son has his heart set on a particular type of party though!

mcja

My little man is also 7. How about the cinema straight from school or pizza hut nice and early if he doesnt fancy having a party at home.

fly_dragon_fly

I think what upset me the most was the parents attitude about it, I'm trying to be accommodating and its just being thrown in my face, it wasn't the correct time so I changed it then its to late as they have football the next day, I just can't win.

I think I may just do what you've said and have it at the same time and invite some other children we know from out of school as well so he will have a handful still hopefully.

I can't take any time of work because i had 2 weeks sick a few weeks back due to a personal problem and we are going on holiday in a few weeks so i just can't Saturdays and Sundays are our busiest days and i can't do a sleep over due to the face I am working at 9am on Saturday otherwise I would.

Maybe I'm being over sensitive but he's my only one and thats not through choice so it makes it harder.

Spendless

I had similar for my DD's 7th, only the prople who couldn't come because they were working or their child had karate after school that day only told me that day or didn't turn up at all! After that I said "no way" to any 'activity parties'. Instead I told DD to invite x friends, they could come to my house and from there we would go bowling/cinema/play centre and after the activity we would return to our house for a birthday meal (I'd buy a kfc bucket or some macdonalds meals) and a birthday cake.

So in your shoes, I'd just say to the 5 "sorry you can't make it". Take your child and the 2 you can and do something like take them to pizza hut afterwards, so you are doing 'more' than you'd be doing if you had an extra 5 to pay for bowling.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Invite some nicer children/kids with nicer parents and hope it gets back to the other ones just how great a night it was.

mrbrightside842

I'd invite some different kids!