Pay to attend party?

V_tricky

Definately you can organise a trip and expect parents to pay, but a party (where there is some obligation on the invitees to attend) should definately be at the hosts cost, IMHO

Spendless

Sweet_Pea wrote: »

Do you think that when you said "how much is it going to cost" and the parent said "£15" that she may have meant that is how much it is costing THEM per child, not that they were expecting you to pay as they didnt mention it on the invite. If it didnt mention a cost on the invite it would not have even entered my head to ask, I would assume that my child was being paid for by a very generous host, and I would be sure to get an extra special gift!

That's what I think has happened having read last few posts. If someone asked me how much my child's party was going to cost I'd tell them assumming they were interested in going or having a party there themselves. I wouldn't mean it as in I expect you to contribute. What made you ask how much it is was OP?

hannoja

Because we've been out for the day there ourselves and it isn't cheap. They're not a particularly well of family, so I was surprised they could afford a party there.
You're probably right. I've probably misunderstood: that's what I've managed to convince myself of anyway. I'm grateful for all the responses here but I'm not going to post on this thread again for a while as I'm worrying myself about it. I've been rather 'down' lately to be honest, and I get myself in a state over just about anything. My self-esteem and related 'issues' are the reason for my obvious lack of communication in this matter. Good job my little man takes after his Dad in that area and not me!

Anyway, thanks again. I appreciate all your input. Sorry to have had a go at you Morty.

Spendless

hannaoja - I do hope you're still reading this. It wasn't till I read the post I've quoted did I realise how it might have come about. Don't feel bad about. I worry myself silly about loads of things too, much to the frustration of my any more laid back and he'd be dead husband.

Carmina_Piranha_3

hannahjo i know how you feel. i talk a lot on here but in real life i'm hopeless at communication, especially when i'm feeling low.

you may not have got it wrong anyway - if you know the family and know they are not well off then it's unlikely that they'd pay for a theme park party, unless they were only inviting one or two other children or had cheap passes through tesco etc.

try not to worry about it, it's done now. if it happens again then using my 'how much should i send him with' really does work because you get all sorts of answers. if you'd asked me you'd have been told i got the ticket for free from a newspaper offer, we were taking a picnic from the supermarket or eating for £2 at mcdonalds etc. so not to send any money unless you wanted your son to buy a gift for a sibling. i'm such a cheapskate, alton towers don't make much money from me :rotfl:

don't feel bad about this thread, it's easy to see how a misunderstanding came about, and you may not have misunderstood in the first place.

Loretta

Carmina_Piranha wrote: »

morty you're going to upset people with that post ...

i've had a framed photo on the wall of my eldest in a ball pit for more than ten years now. it's a gorgeous photo, i love his little face all lit up with the joy of being in a ball pit you can take photos at parties. my 2 year old's favourite DVD is a selection of photographs from his 2nd party and the screensaver on the computer displays random photos from our 'days out' photo album. they might not remember the actual day but will love seeing the photos when they are a bit older.

They may not remember the actual day or the place but all these times add to the store of happy memories and the feel good factor that builds up and the feeling that they are loved and have had time spent with themselves

Carmina_Piranha_3

i don't think the post was objecting to going to a ball pit as such, more to the notion of having an expensive party for a baby.

my sister and i are like chalk and cheese - i'm always out with my toddler but hers is happy to potter around at home. mine needs walking 3 times a day, he's like an exuberant puppy. her toddler leads a much quieter life but he's not unhappy. they have a much bigger house so he gets exercise there, and they have people round to play in the garden/conservatory etc. so there isn't the need for so many outings.

SmileBeHappy

I dnt see a problem with it at all

lea76

I know the party has been and gone but I cant help feeling sorry for the child throwing the party! Imagine asking your child where it wants its party and who it wants to invite, getting himself all excited about his special day .... and nobody turns up because they cant afford it!! Try explaining that to a child how mean!!!:eek:

I remember having great tea parties when i was little prob didnt cost mum and dad much but i still remember them fondly and all friends invited turned up. I have just thrown a party in a church hall for my 5 year old and invited all her class most turned up some brought presents some didnt, she enjoyed the party and so did all the children and thats what counts

I also agree with an earlier poster about presents though wish i could have put on invite not to bring any but i know its mean and sounds ungrateful. But my daughters b'day is a couple of days after xmas and she gets far too much, they dont get played with and its a shame. I actually suggested giving them to children who dont get much and my mum went mad so did oh, I know it sounds mean but I always think about children who dont get much x

Sorry for the rambling:D