Mistakenly sent DS party invite to whole year group instead of class

[Eastie77Returns]

FML. I am in two school WhatsApp groups, one for DS’ class and one for his year group. We have not been at the school that long and so I followed the party invite etiquette which is to send invites via WhatsApp to the class (last school it was always paper ones in the kids tray). Except I sent it to the Year group chat. Several parents have responded to confirm their DC will be coming. It’s a 3 form entry school. The venue hosts up to 35 max I think (and we have budgeted for 30). I may be worrying over nothing as I don’t think DS has many friends outside of his class but I’m worried more than 35 will accept. I’ve posted on my class chat explaining the error and parents have responded with laughing emoticons and don’t worry but I am worried!

So far I’ve drafted this “Apologies all as this invite was meant for Johnny’s class <insert little joke about not being able to use WhatsApp properly>. We’d love to see as many of you as possible but the venue has a maximum capacity of 35..”

Does that sound rude? And I’m not sure how to actually end the message.

I think it's fine. In that scenario, I would have been more than happy to be "uninvited", and if I had already accepted the invitation, I'd probably contact you to say that we wouldn't be attending after all.

oh no!

I wouldnt worry too much, you can fix this, Just message the year group like you said, they will understand :)

www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/whatsapp/142701-whatsapp-now-lets-you-delete-sent-messages-here-s-how-it-works

Could you say

So when I've had 35 kids confirmed as coming I'll have to draw a line. Huge apologies. Please can I ask the classmates to respond first?

Then post on there when you reach that point / chase for more if you don't say a week out?

Most people will be grateful they don’t have yet another class party to go to and buy a present for

I think most people will realise the mistake as there's no people will think you've meant to invite 90 kids to a party 😂

I would just send another message saying sorry for the mistake, the invitation is actually just for the class.

Don't uninvited anyone, but thank everyone for their understanding and say you'll have to limit it to 35 and will post again if this number is reached.

This. Parents won't bat an eyelid. Just be thrilled they have a weekend afternoon back.
Do the class and if it's only 15 that confirm, all the better for you

Just “Whoops, meant to send this to Red class! I’ll post in the class chat now”

It’s really really fine. If I saw an invite for a random kid pop up in DD’s two form entry WhatsApp group I’d either expect the parent(or invitation itself) to clarify, or ask DD what class Johnny was in.

I wouldn't say you'll cut it off once 35 people have responded. You might end up with lots of children from other classes that your DC doesn't know.

I'd just message and say you're very sorry, you accidentally sent it to the wrong group and it was meant for the class whatssap only and then delete the original message.

As a PP said, I'm sure lots of parents will be relieved!

Thanks, yes thought of posting this. Just didn’t want it to sound like kids not in his class were on some kind of wait list if I asked his class to respond first.

I’d be massively relieved to be uninvited too and hope other parents feel the same. Kids parties are a special kind of hell. I’ve never had one for either DC before and won’t again!

Easy done - yeah just post in the year chat saying ‘ooops sorry I was supposed to send this to the group chat’

You can delete messages from WhatsApp so just post that then delete the messages in the year group chat, nobody will mind at all, it’s a really easy mistake to make.

Don't write anything ambiguous like "we'd love to have you all if we have space"... it will confuse people. They might think they are on standby, or it's a first come first served set up

A simple message like "sorry all, I meant to share this with XYZ Class, not the entire year. We only have space for his classmates. That'll teach me to send messages before I have had my coffee/put on my glasses"

I agree you need to be clear, don't say that you only have capacity for 35 as people outside of his class will think they can still rsvp so long as they get in there first. Just say, apologies I meant to post this in the class WhatsApp and not year group app - the invite is for x-class pupils only. Obviously delete the message in the year group chat as well.

Yeh just be direct, it’s fine. People won’t mind

Haha true. We did go to a party in the Summer where an invite was sent to 3 classes but it was in a large outdoor space and a joint classmate birthday.

I’m only concerned about the parents who’ve already responded as I know at least two are not in DS’ class and I can’t withdraw the invite from them now.

Whoops! I wouldn't say "we'd love to see as many of you as possible" as people might misinterpret that as saying you do actually want them to come.

Absolutely do this

Your message could be clearer. I agree with above. I wouldn’t say the line about wanting to see as many as possible. It sounds like you’re fine with others outside the class going and is confusing.

Just delete the message!

I would separately message the ones who have replied to say it's great your DC can come. I wasn't sure of his friends outside his class then explain your mistake and that you'll be sending the message on the year chat but they are of course still welcome. Then you don't have to uninvite anyone .

I think your message is fine for everyone else

id Also wait for seeing who accepts, as I think by pulling it back you’ve the risk no one will come.

Send private message to the 2 who've responded not in class, then send the correction WhatsApp to year group. Don't mention capacity, they will be fine and happy to remove it from diaries or mental load.

You can’t uninvite the ones that have already confirmed.

Id just leave it and rent a bigger venue.

Id feel really awkward if I accepted the invite and then it was like nah, it wasn’t for you.