Children's Party - Rant!

supersaver2

Spendless wrote: »

I think the bad planning was about the school holiday timing not just the pm time. I don't think it was meant harshly, just pointing out from those of us who've already been there, that school holiday birthdays need extra planning put into them.

It's no criticism of the OP, her child is 4, how would she know.

Unfortunately I can't plan when Halloween is or indeed the school holidays! It wasn't a birthday party.

Spendless

supersaver2 wrote: »

Unfortunately I can't plan when Halloween is or indeed the school holidays! It wasn't a birthday party.

I thought it was a birthday party? Sorry, I must have misunderstood. Ooops, I've re-read. Sorry I was in and out several times last night and dipping in and out of your thread and mixed up the story.

In that case I can totally understand why you picked the times you did. I think it's unfortunate that the clocks weren't on your side. Here on Saturday it didn't start getting dark until 6pm, a day later witht he clocks changing and it was 5pm, which parents might have been happier with. I still stand by what I said about school holiday parties (whatever the occassion). It could also be possible that parents didn't think a Halloween party for 4 year olds was that 'big a deal' if they didn't show up. Maybe thinking there would be other people there (ie adult friends/family of your own there).

No, I don't think people should accept and not turn up, but I am afraid that is commonplace unfortunately.

peachyprice

janninew wrote: »

I think the OP said they will be having a night out having a pizza with daughters friends, don't blame them not having another party like this, especially if it would be the same rude people invited. Also 'bad planning' on behalf of the OP, a little harsh! I'd imagine plenty of planning with food/decorations happened and all for nothing.

Sorry, but I think it's sad that a little girl is never going to have another birthday party because her mum chose an iffy time and people didn't turn up at the first attempt.

peachyprice

supersaver2 wrote: »

I do resent the bad planning dig. Parents that said their children would attend last week were completely aware of the timing, it was on the invite. I spent a fair amount on food, party bags and prizes for games. I did an awful lot of planning thank you! And indeed I won't be in a rush to repeat this experience, I'll stick to taking a couple out for tea and cinema.

I'm sorry you resent my comment, I was referring to the fact that not only was it the in evening but also it was at the start of a school holiday, not how much effort you put into planning. Do you think those people would have been so rude if they would have to have faced you on Monday morning? I don't. And I bet each and every one of them thought 'we won't be missed, everyone else will be there'.

Yes, you couldn't help halloween was at the start of school holidays, but it's something you only know not to do when you get it wrong the first time. I stand by my comment that I think it's sad that your daughter won't be having another party because of this one occasion that went wrong.

dirty_magic

There was a story in the daily mail (go on - judge me :rotfl:) about this yesterday, a little boy in America had no one at all turn up to his birthday party. From the comments section it seems like this kind of thing is very common!

AylesburyDuck

dirty_magic wrote: »

There was a story in the daily mail (go on - judge me :rotfl:) about this yesterday, a little boy in America had no one at all turn up to his birthday party. From the comments section it seems like this kind of thing is very common!

No need, and dont feel bad, it appears you already know what you have done wrong.:rotfl::rotfl:

supersaver2

peachyprice wrote: »

Sorry, but I think it's sad that a little girl is never going to have another birthday party because her mum chose an iffy time and people didn't turn up at the first attempt.

You think it's sad?! I've already stated she'll have different kinds of birthday treats, just not this type of party. Plenty of parents don't hold parties for this children, I never had one when growing up. My poor deprived child, though I'm sure she just about manage to survive childhood with a trip to Pizza Hut and the cinema for her birthday!

Laz123

JP08 wrote: »

Knew this rang bells for something similar ...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2916379/Five-year-old-misses-friend-s-birthday-bash-INVOICED-15-95.html

The idiot father of the kid who didn't turn up reminds me of 'Where's Wally?'

AylesburyDuck

supersaver2 wrote: »

You think it's sad?! I've already stated she'll have different kinds of birthday treats, just not this type of party. Plenty of parents don't hold parties for this children, I never had one when growing up. My poor deprived child, though I'm sure she just about manage to survive childhood with a trip to Pizza Hut and the cinema for her birthday!

Absolutely.
I ended up going this route for my 4 Children, they loved it as it was more personal to them with a couple of their best friends included as well.
At the end of the day, your child,your choice. You know how your child will react .

Lily-Rose_3

Loz01 wrote: »

Sadly people are very rude and self entitled. I'd stick to getting your little girl to pick one special friend and taking the two out for a day pizza/bowling/cinema whatever it may be. Cheaper and at least you know she'll turn up!!!

Now that ^ is a bit harsh if you ask me! Calling people rude and 'self entitled' because they didn't bring their 4 year old to a party. Coz God forbid they have a life and a family, and something may have come up; family emergency, sickness, illness, or shock horror, they forgot! Bit judgemental!

Spendless wrote: »

I think the bad planning was about the school holiday timing not just the pm time. I don't think it was meant harshly, just pointing out from those of us who've already been there, that school holiday birthdays need extra planning put into them.

It's no criticism of the OP, her child is 4, how would she know.

peachyprice wrote: »

Sorry, but I think it's sad that a little girl is never going to have another birthday party because her mum chose an iffy time and people didn't turn up at the first attempt.

I agree with these 2 ^. It's entirely up to the OP what she does, but IMO, ruling out EVER having a party for her child again because of this one bad experience is unreasonable. I mean,what if said child WANTS a party when they are 6 or 7 or 10 or 11. My daughter certainly wanted parties at that age. I would not have dreamed of saying no because one party didn't go my way 5 to 8 years ago!

And I agree that the time of the party was late. Most 4 year olds would be in bed at 6 or 7. Even if people said yes, they may have thought better of it, and not wanted their infant child to be up so late, and not everyone has the social etiquette to let people know. They have busy lives, something else may have come up, and they are probably not very close to the parent in question, so it wasn't a top priority to let them know... (and I'm sorry, but I can't believe that the OP is close to all 13 of these parents; she probably barely knew some of them...)

Plus this is probably the 25th invite their collective children have had between them this year. So faffing about trying to let the OP know their child wasn't coming, would not have been very high on their list of priorities. I know *I* would have made every effort to let the parent know, but many people I have known over the years, wouldn't bother.

If you DO ever have another party supersaver2, (and maybe try again with a smaller amount of kiddies, say 7?) then have it at 4pm, right after school, so everyone can come straight after and is less likely to forget, and don't have it in the school hols! (Well it wouldn't be if it's straight after school!)

No-one is saying you are depriving your child of anything supersaver2, but I think to say you will never have another party for your child EVER because of this one thing happening, is a bit much!