Do you respond to children's party invites?

I always replied as soon as I found the invite otherwise I’d forget. It’s rude not to but some people like to hedge their bets and see if something better comes up. Other times invites go missing although mine was always excited to show me.

Yes always. I try to reply within a day or so as I know what it's like waiting for invites. I just send WhatsApp messages though rather than bother with paper invites.

"You see I really don't understand the 'I don't know what we're doing yet then' approach because if there's nothing in your calendar now for that date and your kid wants to go to the party then you accept and don't book something else. It sounds more like 'I'm waiting to see if something better comes up and if not I'll take up your offer of a party'."

The thing is not everyone is, or sometimes is able to be, that organised with the bigger things. You aren't sure when a holiday can be booked for because of work; you have family or friends a long way away that want to meet up, but can't say when yet. It's not something "better" per se, it's not making the whole family miss seeing someone or doing something they get to do once every few years, so that one person can spend a couple of hours with the kids they see 5 days a week most weeks of every year.

How does the WhatsApp group work if you are only inviting some of the children? Put out the invite and then say by the way Jonny, Betty and Claire aren’t invited

Under ordinary circumstances I agree, but if I'm planning on booking a trip in the school holidays that will take priority over a birthday party invite so until I know when our holiday is booked for I wouldn't be committing to anything.

As one folk won't check school bags till Sunday evening

I always respond whether it's a yes or no.
It drove me mad when my son had parties and the majority just didn't respond! I had to chase people via WhatsApp and then most of them said they're coming.

It's polite and courteous to respond to let the host know whether you're attending or not, a quick text takes 30 seconds!

I respond immediately yes or no. Otherwise I will forget.

Four responses to a party in August sounds pretty good going to be fair. August feel ages away so I'm not surprised you haven't had more responses.

Immediately because otherwise I’ll forget.

When I do a kids party I always give an rsvp date for 2 weeks before the party and follow up the day before that.

48 kids! You’re brave. I always reply and I’ve found most do, although often not until closer to the time.

So bored one night, watching tv, you see a tv advert for a beautiful family holiday, and you think ooo that looks good! Let me just pick up my phone and have a little nosey!!
I know, you're not hopeful, you're just "looking"..... then there it is.... a holiday that looks oh so tempting, click.... oh look, if you book now, you save 20%, there's a pool, kids entertainment, good food, good reviews... omg wow, this might actually be a really good last minute deal, fuck it, book it.... check diary....... oh no, we said yes to Jimmy's birthday for 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon in August, we can't go on this holiday!

I call bollocks on that! You'd book it faster than you could order a "sorry we could attend" card for poor little Jimmy!

Sorry OP, August is a crap month for school birthday parties, it always will be so pick 1 date in July or September and stick with it!

I have a Xmas baby and all his school parties have been in July with the full explanation of Xmas is shit time to have a birthday, that's why we do the half birthday, simple!

What date did you put for the rsvps? Ypu should ALWAYS put an rsvp date on there otherwise some parents won't reply - but they will still turn up!

Regardless, I really wouldn't start to worry until end of term, and even then you may well get responses a week before the party.

I usually do, but in cases like this I don't. I've had a few invites over WhatsApp for parties happening in August (and one in Sept!) Its too far away, I won't know if we're free until closer to the time. So I've ignored all of them, and honestly I think the overly early invitations are annoying (it's a kids party not a fucking wedding!)

Where are you based @thaisweetchill ? I ask because I’m from UK and I always, always respond whether I’m going or not. However I now live in USA and there it’s the norm to only respond if you are going. I find it strange and infuriating! I’d rather know asap if you’re not coming in case I can invite someone else instead; also just so I know if you’re coming or not!

You see I really don't understand the 'I don't know what we're doing yet then' approach because if there's nothing in your calendar now for that date and your kid wants to go to the party then you accept and don't book something else. It sounds more like 'I'm waiting to see if something better comes up and if not I'll take up your offer of a party'.

Yes I do RSVP, try to do it the day I get the invite because otherwise I'll forget. So I check the calendar, if RSVPing yes then I photograph the invite and add it to a calendar booking on my phone.

4 days is still a really short amount of time to be waiting for an rSVP though OP so I'm sure you'll get lots more over the coming days and weeks.

Yikes, it's 2 months away during the summer holidays when you don't even know half of them!

Personally, I wouldn't hold a party in August for school friends as it's literally the only month of the year we don't have to engage with anything school related.

I have an August baby. We found over the years thar parties in August are not well attended as everyone is away. We always do them in July in term time now.

2 things:

1. If it’s on August, it’s well ahead and several parents won’t respond yet.
2. A party in August can be tricky. I’d wait until Sept or go early and have a party before school is out next time this comes up

I had the same thing recently! Invited a few children not the whole class, party in August. Invites went out a couple of weeks ago. Barely anyone replied and I ended up chasing them- maybe a bit soon in retrospect- I think people do reply but quite slowly so give it a bit of time. Xx

We do all invites via the WhatsApp group - never hand out any paper. I find it so much easier to respond that way - I can check my calendar on my phone and reply within minutes. Everyone replies to the group and it seems almost all parents are able to reply within a day.

August is a pretty bad time for a party though, sorry (unless you want to keep numbers down). Other mums with August dc have held their parties in early Sep to keep turnout high. My dc has a birthday near a half term, but I always schedule it so it's not on the weekend before or after the holidays.

I would reply within a week or two or I'd give a reason why I couldn't commit just now (not a hedging my bets for a better offer reason, something like it depends if we have family visiting that weekend and they won't be able to confirm yet).

I would always let the host know in a reasonable time frame. It's basic manners.

Il always try and let them know asap.

We sent out invites about 3 weeks ago and a couple still haven't replied.

From parties we've had before, some turn up without letting you know and some just don't turn up. I think it's a bit rude.

I always do but others don’t.