Pay to attend party?

hannoja

Hi. My little boy has been invited to a school friend's birthday party at an adventure park. It will cost £15. I'm feeling pretty down today so maybe I'm being unfair, but that seemed a bit.. 'cheeky' to me... What do you think..?

AnnieH

I think it's blimmin cheeky to ask for money to attend a party. I would be inclined to say thanks but no thanks if it were me.

If you invite someone to somewhere, anywhere, then you pay for it.

I wouldn't even spend £15 on a present for a school friend.

Riq

If there are 2 or 3 friends going then I think it is a bit cheeky.

But if there are 20 friends going then I don't think it is cheeky to at least ask for money to attend.

But £15 does seem a bit excessive!

ParadiseKidd

Its a difficult one really - the kids will really enjoy it and to pay £15 for all the kids is alot of money for one parent. Really, if they can't afford it then they shouldn't be having a party in an adventure park! On the other hand you could look at it like your little boy will have a great day out with his mates, be supervised by parents and give you a break too! On principle it is wrong, but then again who can afford all that money nowadays?

davetrousers

Do you know any of the other mums? If so could you chat to them and see what they think?

ckerrd

My experience if you throw a party you expect to pay for it. We have had large parties where they were cheap, basically did it all ourselves, and we have also had expensive parties where we have had to limit the numbers as to have too many people there would have been extortionate. If DS had to pay to attend a party then I doubt very much if I would let him go.

hm71_2

This has been happening quite a lot around here at the moment and I have to be honest and say I think it's a bloomin cheek. If I arrange a party for my children I always pay for everyone who goes. for example last year I saved every coupon & offer I could get for bogof to thorpe park, my son took 4 friends but because I had all the coupons it was no more expensive. I did talk to the other parents before inviting them to see if it was ok if they bought a pack lunch or money for lunch and one of the mums had a special offer book for pizza hut that she didn't want so she gave me that. All adventure parks do special offers perhaps the childs parent could contact whichever park it is to see if a cheaper option can be found, I know peter pan in southend does cheaper wrist bands for groups etc..

bulchy

I think its a cheek, you dont ask guests to pay to attend your kids parties. Yes it will be a fun day out, but I think maybe the parents should have asked the other parents if they would be willing to pay for the kids before organising this, as £15 is a lot to fork out, especially when there will be a pressie to pay for as well.
I dont know what I would have done if I had been placed in this predicament when mine were younger, as you cant win either way, if you refuse to pay, then your child will feel left out and resent the fact that maybe everyone else is going but them, on the other hand, you could end up spending £20+ on this kids party :eek: when you could lay on a spread yourself for not much more. I know when my 2 were younger and there was only my OH working, £15 would have been a lot of money for us to pull out for another kids party.
Sue

jo_b_2

Personally, unless it was his 'best friend' I wouldn't let my son go! I know that sounds really mean but I couldn't justify spending that much just to attend the party and it then sets a precedent for other parents!

I presume you'd also be expected to buy a present too!? I think it is really, really cheeky to expect other parents to fork out that much money!!!

TEENY

I thought that if you thrwe your kid a party you had to pay for it. If this is no longer the case and kids who are coming have to pay my boy can have his next party in Disney Land !!!!!!!:D

quietheart

Are they for real?!
I think it's hilarious, the nerve of some people! I too would only send my child if it were a best friend and then I'd do it with a heavy heart.