Not reciprocating party invites

[Whichoneisbest]

Sorry, I’m sure this has been done to death but my anxiety is flaring up at the moment and I’m finding it impossible to think straight!

DS is turning 4 soon, he’s been at his nursery for 3 years but due to my painful shyness and general social ineptitude I don’t know any of the parents and we’ve had no play dates

For his birthday he really wants to invite a few of his friends over for a tiny party, I’ve bitten the bullet and written notes to give to their parents inviting them over, I now think I’ve not given enough notice and no one will come but that’s a different thread!

Anyway, we’ve received a joint party invite for two of the children in his room at a large local soft play place, in 2 months time. I really want him to go but do I need to invite these two children to his now? He hasn’t ever mentioned them, I don’t think he is particularly close to them and assume their joint party is a whole class thing.

If I can’t reciprocate we should decline right? Sorry, my anxiety is making me so jittery I am struggling with even basic decisions and over thinking!

You don’t have to reciprocate because “all class” parties aren’t common everywhere and at that age, no one does them. The other parents will assume you have limited space and are only inviting a couple of kids from nursery and family.

I’ve never expected invitations to be reciprocated. We did a full class party (with another child) in reception and DS1 certainly didn’t get invited to all the parties and that was just fine (I was a bit gobsmacked by the number of girls only parties as I’d hoped we had a few more years before that but that’s another thread).

Ok phew thank you, and breathe’