To be annoyed at this parent and tempted to send them a bill?

If Poppys mum just said she couldn’t attend in the first place then the host wouldn’t be paying the £15, it’s a complete waste of money.

Fair enough if the child is ill, that can’t be helped. So many people drop out because they can’t be bothered or have better plans.

This with bells on.

Atleast they let you know!

I find it hilarious how many people who post of Mumsnet think they're better than everyone else who posts on Mumsnet.

Making a mountain out of a mole heap.
Every one seems to get so offended over stupid things nowdays.

It's what happens especially this time of year.

If I was pulling out last minute, I'd still give the gift I'd bought but I would be horrified if I was asked to pay. If it was not last minute, then I wouldn't gift unless a close friend, but I'd expect then my child's space to be covered by someone else.

It seems odd to charge the non attender when all the attenders get to go for free, different if they were all paying.

It's rude and annoying but you've got to let it go as getting cross will only make yourself feel worse. Flippy McFlippant still won't give a toss.

I would say something.

I thought about 50% of the class or less was ok. No-one should feel obliged to pay for 30 kids especially if your child doesn't care whether half of them are there.

I think you just have to put up with it.

Paypal 🤣 that made me grin

I don’t see how door knocking being an intrusion relates remotely to any of this

My daughters birthday fell on the easter holiday when she had her first party. I didn't think about it really (we dont celebrate easter, so hadnt really considered it! My own fault). She only invited girls from the class. Out 0f 18 girls. 3 turned up. Most rsvpd to say they couldn't. 3 cancelled on the day. One had the gall to say they just didn't want to come now. (At least make up an excuse!)

But it is what it is. We now no longer plan on the Easter weekend and choose an alternate date and never had a problem since.

Cancellations happen for a variety of reasons.

My son 5th birthday most of the class had a stomach bug. My son came down with it half way through his party. There's not much you can do!

It is rude, OP.

You've taken the time to organise a party and be kind to invite kids. Its a huge expense, with party bags and cake too. Some parents can be rude and entitled. Usually the ones that don't throw parties themselves. Hope your DC has a great party.

It's just downright rude but not much you can do about it. I remember when my son was in nursery someone didn't turn up to the party and when I saw the mum at nursery she said she'd been out the night before and had a hangover so didn't come. I was silently livid. What I didn't understand was if it had been a last minute decision what happened to the gift and card? Couldn't she at least given these later and apologies? That's what I would have done (not that I would have been so rude).
I think I was lucky though in my party arranging days (15-20 years ago) as it never happened again and I never had people expecting siblings to come, like I read about on mumsnet.

That's why I've never done parties like this.

Its a risk you have to take, especially at this time of year.

At least 10% drop out rate is pretty normal - a soft play will usually let you amend the numbers until two or three days before the party once you’re over the minimum.

It’s a busy time of year and nursery school parties are a fair way down people’s list of priorities. Don’t let it wind you up.

Ouch!

I am doing one of these in the spring - I’m hoping it will be “crazy but fun”.

Im also hoping some people will drop out! I only wanted 20 but you can’t really invite part of the class, it feels mean.

based in experience we will get about 25 kids.

Get used to it people's behaviour around parties can be diabolical - not confirming attendance either way or saying yes then not showing, unannounced siblings rocking up.
Look forward to the days when they just want a small number of friends involved

I don't really get this. You're paying the 15 quid whether the kid is there or not. It doesn't make any difference to you. Poppy attends its 15 quid, Poppy doesn't, its 15 quid. You don't know poppy from.a hole in the ground, so it affects the party not at all.

I mean, who cares?

Annoying, especially if she wasn't particularly apologetic however you are lucky she let you know rather than just not turning up. Maybe one of the other kids has a sibling you could offer her place to if you've already paid?

This is why I never shelled out on expensive parties when DD was still in infants. To many drop outs.

Yes it's annoying, but there are 30 sets of parents in your kid's class and not all of them will have perfect manners or an appreciation for the inconvenience they've caused you. If you have a whole class party someone will always drop out for some reason - you can't control it and you can't charge them so no point fretting about it.

Infuriating. Perhaps the moral is to arrange something less formal so cancellations are less expensive.

Is this your first child?