6th birthday party dilemma

choccybikkie_2

Why invite children that he doesn't play with?
Only invite his close friends that he'd really enjoy to share his day with.

Fizog

Yep I agree 10 friends tops. Those places are a nightmare! You will still be forking out £88 plus the cake. I know lots of parents invite the whole year but why - ? To get loads of presents for their kids! They're all usually tat! You'll need a bottle of wine, a pack of paracetamol and a lie down in the evening and you will thank your lucky stars you didn't invite 30/40 hyper 6 year olds to your lads party. You will have to accompany them to the loo, sort out sore knees, arguments, food likes/dislikes, upsets....let alone the ones with behavioural problems you won't discover till you have to manage them on your tod.

Even class teachers have a ratio of one to four adults at that age on school trips!

looneyleo

Why do parents feel guilty over this sort of thing? DONT FEEL GUILTY about not inviting the whole class. Children need to know that life doesn't involve inviting everyone to your special occasions! You wouldn't invite the whole office to your birthday bash just because you worked with them! Definately limit the numbers to the children your son plays with and talks about. My daughter doesn't get invited to all the partys in her class and I am fine with that (saves me having to buy presents!)... I'm sure no one will be offended if they aren't invited! Enjoy the party and don't feel guilty!

beefcarrot

There seems to be a whole new element of competition in parties around where I live, in terms of who can put on the biggest party, with the most children etc. IMO, it would be better to invite a few of your son's closest friends so that he can have a chance to play with them. If you invite 40, he will not play with most of them and it is his day after all!

juliejim

I agree with most - only invite the children that he plays with. Probably best to ask him or even ask his class teacher. There are always loads of parties and to be honest if you invite everyone to your DS's then they'll feel obliged to invite back and think how many presents that will mean you buying throughout the year! My DD will be 6 in January and DS is 4 on Tuesday. Last time my DD had a party at a playcentre, I had a joint one with another friend who had a birthday around the same time and we shared the cost but even then not everyone in the class got invited.

HTH

Jue

mutley74

gosh so many replies!!
Thanks to you all. This is a one off for my son as i have not seen him for his last 2 birthdays. The party place is quite far and have been there before. The staff i found very pretty okay and helpful and last time one of his friends did the party. I know its expensive but hiring a church hall, entertainer and doing all the food would have been just as much hard work and cost.
I might sound crazy but i will keep to my limit of probably 30 kids and see who son wants to invite.

thanks again for the replies.

mutley74

dandsknowles wrote: »

Why invite children that he doesn't play with?
Only invite his close friends that he'd really enjoy to share his day with.

agree. but he has been invited from kids that he does not play with as well. hence why i am not sure what to do. As i did not want to upset him or the other kids.

izoomzoom

DS2's birthday party is on Thursday.

We have 13 children, including the Birthday boy, his big brother and a friend for big brother - so 10 friends, coming.

It is being held at a local ball / play facility.

I haven't the energy for anything more than that !

izoomzoom

atpug wrote: »

agree. but he has been invited from kids that he does not play with as well. hence why i am not sure what to do. As i did not want to upset him or the other kids.

And I have to say, that most parent's understand that you can't invite everyone. It's swings and roundabouts !

kathy206

I agree, set a limit to what you can manage and afford. My DS has to choose 5 friends for his birthday celebration, I have given up trying to keep up with the Jones's it's too expensive and stressful!! Have a lovely time!!