Gather round, it’s a kid’s birthday party one...

[Ohdobakeoffdear]

DS went to a birthday party today. Invitation stated “pizza party at [venue]” and then another activity. It was a 7th birthday celebration, only 6 kids altogether, I was delighted, actually something refreshing after years of soft play madness.
We were in a hurry this morning, which was my fault, I didn’t even take my handbag, we just jumped in the car. That’s a crucial detail...
As it turns out, we were expected to pay our share of both pizza making and the other activity.
I am double mortified because 1. I was not expecting this at all (I’m not the type to pretend I forgot my purse) and 2. I’ll be mortified tomorrow again because the birthday boy’s mum paid for us and I’ll be giving her money back at school drop off tomorrow, so I get to re-live the humiliation.
Just wanted to vent really.

Ridiculous. You shouldn't have to pay for your child to attend a party. The mother is in the wrong here

Wtf? So everyone had to pay for themselves? So it wasn't a party at all! How rude of the parents.

That is very cheeky of them!

That's not a party!

What did the other parent's say?

If I turned up to a party to be told I would have to pay I'd laugh in their face. They are the cheap nasty ones who should be embarrassed and I don't think you owe them anything.

Did the invitation say that you had to pay?

I wouldnt call that a party.

WTF??? This is beyond CF behaviour. Of course you don't pay to attend a child's party. The only expected contribution is the gift and a card. Did the invitation say anything about this? I'd be tempted to keep forgetting to pay myself.

Tbh I don’t know what other parents said. I went in such a flap that I didn’t pay much attention to their reactions.
I’ll pay my debt back tomorrow, it’s fine, it wasn’t a fortune, just very much a WTF moment.

How ridiculous! How is that a party?🤣
She should be embarrassed not you. I'd be tempted not to pay her and let her chase you for the money, cheeky cow.

And no, no indication of it on the invitation at all.

How very rude!
You have no reason to be embarrassed at all.

You've got nothing to be embarrassed about the parents though

I had to pay at a child’s 2 Birthday to get into a pub. She was a right nut job through (the Mum).

This is why drop and run works well. I have never paid to attend any party other than bring a gift.
I have never taken money for children to attend either

Don’t be embarrassed; why would you expect to need your purse?!

What a nerve. I don't think you need to be embarrassed. She does though

OP, you've done nothing wrong. That's a really weird set up. I imagine the other parents were as surprised as you. I do usually carry some cash but sometimes it's not a huge amount, just change, really, but DP often just has his credit card. I expect some of the other parents might not have had ready cash to reimburse the birthday boy's parents the exact amount.

Weird that they wanted guests to pay but even weirder there was no mention of it

No prior mention, I meant.

I wouldn't have entered my head that I had to pay either. The mother is a right CF.

You aren't the one who should be embarrassed here.

Embarrassing for the birthday mum only! Did the other parents seem shocked at being asked to pay?