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Original poster

4 year old daughter upset with her birthday party idea

207 replies

Orangeandpinknails · 01/02/2025 08:06

Put this on AIBU because it's more likely to be viewed.

My little girl is 3 and will be 4 end of Feb. She has been so excited for a birthday party and we booked her one last night in a cheaper place that she has been to before for a friend's party. It's all we can really afford at the moment and I've just told her about it. She started crying saying it's a baby play area and she doesn't want to go there for her party and that she wants to go to another certain play area for her birthday. We've already paid now so not sure if can cancel and get a refund but also, this other place will cost us about £60 more which we can't really afford right now.

What would you do?

OP posts:
TheyAreNotAngelsTheyDontCareAtAll · 01/02/2025 08:18

She is 3. She won't remember this party by next year.
She's very lucky to be having any party.,don't let your child emotionally bully you into changing it!

tonyhawks23 · 01/02/2025 08:18

Surely no point in doing a party she doesn't want.id move to a home party.

FanofLeaves · 01/02/2025 08:15

The trouble is at that age they have a fixed idea in their mind and often no filter so they will get upset if it’s not ‘right’ or what they imagined. She’s not trying to dictate or cause hurt to you or make you feel rubbish about your finances. No harm in using it as an exercise in managing demands and behaving politely etc though.

I probably would have gone for a home party to save the cost but you’ll have to go ahead with this one now, if you’ve paid, and I’m sure it’ll be grand, she’ll just have to start visualising something different.

Yoheresthestory · 01/02/2025 08:11

Yep, she’s about to learn a lesson in making the most of things. Be kind and even explain that the other is just too much money right now. And at 4 id be doing lots of distraction and bigging it up. But id come down very clearly on brattish behaviour. Disappointment is ok. Being demanding is not.

Pigeonqueen · 01/02/2025 08:11

KittyPup · 01/02/2025 08:09

Kindly, if it’s so tight that £60 makes such a difference, maybe don’t have a party. It’s not a necessary expense. Do a smaller something at home with a few friends and family.

I agree.

Could you just invite a few friends over and have a smaller party at home - like we used to do in the 80s? Everyone seems to rent places for parties etc now but it’s perfectly reasonable to have a party at home with traditional party games etc.

KittyPup · 01/02/2025 08:09

Kindly, if it’s so tight that £60 makes such a difference, maybe don’t have a party. It’s not a necessary expense. Do a smaller something at home with a few friends and family.

DustyLee123 · 01/02/2025 08:07

At 4 years old she doesn’t get to dictate.