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Original poster

Single sex birthday parties

234 replies

15thaugust · 28/02/2016 15:24

My daughter who is only 5 came home a bit upset as she hasn't been invited to one of her classmates parties 'because he's having a football party and has only invited boys' she likes him, likes football and also said to me 'I invited him to my party' so feels aggrieved. Another girl in her class is having only the girls for a craft party. I am furious with the lazy-brained parents who can't see anything wrong with this! I haven't said anything yet to either child's parents, but it's only a matter of time and opportunity!

OP posts:
Chrysanthemum5 · 28/02/2016 16:04

I understand your frustration at the gender stereotyping but generally most parents do boy or girl parties as a way to reduce numbers. It's a kinder way than leaving out a few boys or girls

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 28/02/2016 15:59

If limiting size is the deciding factor doing it by sex is easier than singling out non-invitees of either sex.

A craft party sounds grim (although not as grim as a football party) Ours were always in leisure centres with the ball pits, slides, tunnels, trampolines and bouncy castles type of equipment.

If your daughter thinks a craft party isn't for her, then decline the invitation. It's not up to you however to dictate what sort of parties other children should have.

lunar1 · 28/02/2016 15:53

It's a very easy way to halve the numbers, you are overthinking it.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 28/02/2016 15:50

5 seems quite young for only wanting to have his male friends. Aren't children usually a bit older when they get tribal about sex segregation?

I vaguely recall my son going to football parties. I can't remember at what age. All the parties I organised for him were all class

usual · 28/02/2016 15:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PatriciaHolm · 28/02/2016 15:30

What are you hoping to achieve by talking to them?

It really is up to them, and to the birthday child.

SevenSeconds · 28/02/2016 15:27

The thing is, if you want to have an 'inclusive' party (ie not leaving anyone out and hurting their feelings) but need it to be smaller than the whole class, then this is an easy way to do it. I'm not saying it's right but I can see why it happens.

Quietwhenreading · 28/02/2016 15:27

To be fair though - the football thing might be an excuse, he might just not want her there.

Birthday party invitations are standalone, not reciprocal.

Quietwhenreading · 28/02/2016 15:25

My DS had a football party. Just under half the attendees were girls.

Everyone had a super time.