Is it me or is this just what organising children's parties is like??!

[Ceramicsandsoftfurnishings]

So I have managed to resist my DD's desire for a class party until this year when she really expressed she wanted one. It's an active type party at a venue and it's for two hours on a weekend morning.

Handed out the invites and it's been just over a week and only 5 out of 18 kids (or rather their parents) have replied. We invited everyone (smallish village school) and I put a RSVP date on the invite and my number. I need final numbers because it's one of those things where you pay in advance per child. There are another few days until that date but it's been over a week so I am feeling pretty worried.

We only joined the school in September having moved house so although I am slowly getting to know parents, I don't know them all and don't have many of their phone numbers. Everyone seems friendly enough but I am now wondering if it's me?! My DD seems to have lots of friends and talks about various names a lot but we just aren't getting many responses back.

Any ideas on what to do? Am I going to need to figure out who everyone is and ask or is that cringy? I don't want people turning up who haven't RSVP'd because there won't be a booked space for them!

@Thinkbiglittleone

I might sound stupid here, but I always hear of the class WhatsApp on here and wonder is this standard at schools, how did it get set up, do you just need one super organised mum to start it up ?

OP our DS had just started reception in sept, so I'm not sure but I would probably as your child to start asking their friends to "remind" their parents, but ultimately if they don't reply they can't come and I suppose you just prepare your child for the fact maybe all their friends won't come.

My DD is in reception too and an organised mum (with an older child already at school) asked the teacher to put a note in each book bag with her number, and a message saying to get in touch if you would like to join a class WhatsApp. Did the trick for us!

Yes, this is how it is and it's really frustrating. I find non-responses very rude but it happens every time.

So rude.
And going forward, frustratingly, it’ll be the worst offenders whose DC yours become friendly with. Then you’ll have your DC begging you to invite their friend over but when you do the parent takes 4 days (if at all) to reply.
It really is annoying because if the relationship was just between you and the parent you could delete and block and move on. But the DC being friends makes it so difficult.
Rant over and my sympathies!!

Yeah it's normal.

@WorriedGiraffe

It’s normal, I wouldn’t say it’s rude if the deadline hasn’t passed, some people may not no yet id they can make it or not yet! And I wouldn’t worry about uninvited siblings, we’ve had soft play parties and people have brought siblings cos they don’t have other childcare, they just pay a normal entry fee for the siblings and the sibling can’t join in with the actual party stuff but can still play. I’m sure there are some horror stories out there but it doesn’t need to be a total nightmare, mumsnet just hates children’s parties.

Got to say though we have a class parent chat and it makes things so much easier as you can remind people, maybe suggest it at the party?

Thank you, that's a good point!

You need to leave off an important detail like the time or location. That way you won't get anyone turning up who hasn't responded.