Looking for some advice, what would you do in my position please?
I booked a venue and bouncy castle back in September last year for the 18th of next month, for my son's 5th birthday party. It's a Saturday. I did invites in Feb but was advised by other school mums it was way too early to give them out. On Friday we received an invite for a party on the day after, the 19th, so I panicked a bit as I was planning on giving ours out after the Easter half term (23rd April they go back to school) as I've been really busy with uni coursework and exams the past few weeks. I put a post on Facebook tagging some kids parents to make them aware and already about 7-8 have told me they can't make it, including 1 of my sons best friends. Some can't come because they work on a Saturday, sports competitions and other events already booked in, some don't want 2 parties in 1 weekend and as the other invites went out first they won't go to my son's.
I really dont know what to do - the venue can't do the Sunday before, and my son's birthday is during the week before the 18th so 2 weeks after would be way too late. I can't change venue as they are mostly booked up by now (hence why I booked so early) and the few that aren't don't allow bouncy castles which we definitely want. I can try to change the venue we already have to during the week, on his actual birthday, but again people will be working or not want a party on a school night, OR I can keep the original date and accept that some people won't come.
It is entirely my fault and I know my son will be gutted if certain kids can't come, but I need to make a decision and arrange it with venue and castle, so I can change the invites and send them out the first day after half term. Please help, it's his first proper party and he's so excited. I've made such a mess of it and I feel like a shit mum!