How would you navigate this?

[ThemysteriousH]

DS1 (11) has just had his birthday and chosen to have a sleepover (this sat).

Invites with all my details etc were handed out a few weeks ago but I haven’t heard back from the parents. The children have told my son they’re coming, but not really spoke about it much.
DS has asked them to get their parents to get in touch but I’ve heard nothing.
I don’t know these parents as I don’t really do the school run due to work etc so have no way of getting in contact.

Not sure if it’s relevant but all of them including my DS have emotional/social needs and bonded through attending school well-being sessions a few times a week. So I’d want to know any needs. I think us parents have, what sounds like it, anxiety/health problem’s.

Im kind of guessing there’s a big chance the friends aren’t coming as I’ve heard nothing (although this can obviously change by Saturday).
How do I navigate the fall out? I know it will really impact DS, he is super sensitive and will take it badly. He’s had years of being picked on for being “different” & over the moon he’s found his friends/click.

I’ve tried gently broaching the subject & saying if the sleepover doesn’t go ahead that we can do something super fun together that he chooses, but he dismisses me & says it is going ahead because his friends said so.

Hope this makes sense!

I’m assuming from what you say there’s no class WhatsApp you can get numbers from? I think in the circumstances I would get DS to ask his friends to provide their parents’ numbers asap.

Having said that, I’d be surprised if a sleepover was an attractive prospect for anxious children who need additional support at school (DS, who is the same age, refuses them), and while their parents should of course have contacted you, I’d assume it’s not going to happen and figure out another treat.

I don't have kids of that age, but when I was that age my parents wouldn't have RSVPd to a birthday sleepover invite, they'd have told me if I could go and I'd have said yes or no. So maybe they will be coming still? If you're concerned, could you try and find the parents on SM ?

@MorningMinion I was surprised at the sleepover idea myself, but one of the children (the one with the most “issues”, had one last year, the first one DS has ever gone too, it was 5pm - 1pm next day so short and sweet, same hours as this one)
DS is glad to finally have friends I think and finding his crowd.

@Qwerty21 unfortunately not, we use an app called dojo and can’t message individual parents. DS have asked the others to ask their parents to contact & I think he’s nervous to ask again. He’s an overthinker like me 😂
Good idea about social media!
Im going to keep the time free & if they turn up I can talk to them.

Asked DS teacher could I know the parents name - I don’t know the home set up of the children etc, but can’t for confidentiality.

Hopefully DS will know more after or can text asking for confirmation:)