To expect people to turn up?

[happyhopefulmummy]

Our baby turns 1 this week. We had a party for him on Saturday with our friends (none of whom have kids). We invited a handful of people, all who RSVPed one way or the other. A few days before I got some text messages asking if it was still on (odd anyway, as surely by sending out invites and not cancelling of course it is!) but fine. On the day, 3 people who said they would
Come didn't turn up. I have since received a Facebook message from one asking if it was his party this sat. "I remembered the invite but have heard nothing since". Think she must have seen some photos someone posted. Yes, maybe it was an excuse and she remembered but couldnt be arsed....but....

Aibu to assume that by sending out an invite, and getting an RSVP I have done enough? I shouldn't have to text/email a bunch of almost 30 year olds reminding them?!

They should have turned up if they said they would.

Having said that, I would have turned the invite down anyway as I (personally) think parties for 1yr olds are a bit silly.

Still, 3 no shows isn't too bad in the grand scheme of things and your baby won't have even noticed

It was more for us really - a chance for people to see the baby and have drinks with friends :)

Plus, always an excuse for cake! :)

And presents

I think that's the difference...you know that it was a party for you but due to the fact you're calling it a baby's Birthday party, they might have thought it's not really a party at all IYSWIM?

I mean especially as they don't have kids themselves...perhaps they just didn't know what to make of it?

Before I had kids, I was not interested in babies at all...and come to think if it I'm still not!

Depends when you sent the invites. Anything more than a week or so in advance and I forget stuff - no4 son missed a party a couple of weeks ago because we just forgot. We'd had the invite almost a month and just didn't remember. Don't forget that to you it's a vitally important celebration of your child's milestone but to other people it's, well, just a casual invitation to pop round for a bit of cake.

I reckon non child owning friends will think "fuck, a one year olds party with lots of other one year olds, oh yes would love to come not a hope in hell"

That's a good point by oldraver.

Did the friends know it wasn't going to be a room full of 1 year olds?

When my dcs had their first birthdays, it never occurred to me to invite all our (then) childless friends. We kept it to family and only a couple of our closest friends. Same with dgd's first birthday earlier this year. I'd go anywhere for cake but parties for one year old babies are almost always more of a family event.

However, YANBU in thinking that if someone has accepted an invitation then they really ought to turn up or at least send apologies.