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.

Uninvite the year group, as above but message

Oops, this was supposed to go in Squirrels group! Apologies 😬

Then message those who have RSVPd privately and say it’s a Squirrels group invite but you have a couple of spare places if they’d still like to come.

...those who have already accepted the invite out of class individually to say thanks for confirming and you'll see them there.

What a way to make people feel unwelcome.

Renting a bigger venue is unfortunately not possible.

You can un invite. Honestly it's fine, it was a mistake and I'm sure they will understand. It's not like you're singling anyone out or being nasty.

I wouldn't be in the least bit offended if you sent that message to me. Like others I'd be relieved not to have to go to another party.

I’d just delete the message and post a

“So sorry, posted on year group not class chat! Will repost in correct area, sorry the venue isn’t big enough for the whole year!”

You need to do it asap though! Of course the people who’ve responded will understand but they might be annoyed if you wait a while before saying!

Yeah me too. I would not muddy the waters with “we can fit up to 35”. Administrative nightmare.

Just rip off the plaster and update. Sooner the better

I updated with an apology and deleted the invite. I messaged the ones who had accepted (who are not in DS’ class) to apologize 1-1. One parent replied and was absolutely fine. Said they would still have a present for DS to drop off. I didn’t realise this family actually live on our street and our DS’ play together at school, feel awful! I would now look insane if I told him his son is re-invited wouldn’t I?! The other parent has read it but not responded.

Never organising a kids party again.

It's fine.

I think most parents - well I would - would wonder why you've invited a whole year group

However - it seems pretty off you are forced to invite a whole class via WhatsApp in the first place. What about families who can't afford that?

Definitely re-invite the other kid if you want him there "sorry, in the panic of rel!alising I'd just invited 90 kids I didn't put 2 and 2 together in terms of who had actually replied. Johnny plays loads with DS loads and would.love to have him there as well as his class mates. Please do come. Sorry for the confusion!"

Just delete the message for a start

Just tell them ASAP that you made a mistake and it's a class invite, not a year invite. No one will take it personally. It's obvious it's a genuine mistake. Don't overthink

Oh just read your update! If they've RSVPed yes already, I'd message them privately and say they are welcome to come anyway

We’d love to see as many of you as possible.

But you don't though?

I don’t think you’d look insane. Just say you sent out messages to all parents who replied and didn’t realise who their son was and that as you have a few extra spaces you’d love their son to come since he’s friends with your child.

I assume some kids must have smaller celebrations where they just go out with a few select friends although I’m never sure at what age the whole class invites stop. DD is Y5 and definitely knows the handful of girls she wants to invite for a pizza birthday (next summer!) and I guess that’s appropriate for a 10 year old.

I’ve reinvited the boy from the other class who lives on our street. 3 doors away in fact and I didn’t realise😳

In this situation I personally would be mortified. I’m not saying that you should be, @Eastie77Returns, because it’s a very forgivable mistake. In your situation, I’d explain that it was just for the class. However, I’d probably buy a couple of bumper packs of sweeties to be shared out among the two other classes at the school gate by way of apology. That is how I would handle it.

If I was in the other class I'd understand you can't invite 90 kids because you accidentally messaged the wrong whatsapp. Would be a bit unkind to expect you to for a simple error

@HairInPlace as kindly as possible, I’d have forgotten about the original situation by about an hour after the OP’s second WhatsApp message. If she sent round sweets for the other 60 “uninvited” kids however, I’d think she was attention-seeking or unhinged. Just massively over the top or someone v v anxious.

I agree with pp re the sweets. It’s not necessary.

And we’re at a no sweets school tg because parents buying them just whenever is a bit of a pain tbh, so I’m glad

Just delete it for everyone on what's app and then say oh sorry wrong group! 🤷‍♀️