To not travel a 70 mile round trip to a childrens party?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

Ds has been invited to a soft play party by a girl in his class, 70 mile round trip and 2 hour drive at least! The girl lives locally so I'm not sure why the party is so far away! AIBU to say ds can't go?

Are you absolutely certain it is that far? Could there be a place of the same name closer to? Has anybody else in his class been invited? I would not take him.

YANBU. That's bonkers!

yanbu - I wouldnt take him either

I was trying to think of a rational explanation as to why the classmate would book a party 35 miles away. Is the soft play absolutely superlative? So I also wondered about there being another with the same name that was nearer - or are the party hosts offering transport? That might not be so bad.

Yes I've checked on google maps and I've been there before so I definitely have the right place! We live in the country so no soft play on our doorstep but the nearest ones prob about 10 or 15 miles away. I saw the mum hand out other invites but not sure if others are going or not.

The soft play is good but not lined with gold or anything! The invite is the soft play place invite with the address on it, def 70 miles round trip!!!!

I'd go that far for a close friend or family member, but probably not just for a nursery party.

Buy a present and a card and apologise for not being able to make it. That's what you get when you book something so far away!

Oops I just did a proper direction search and its 60 mile round trip, though still way too far I think!

No YANBU at all,

I wouldn't do the jouney either, total madness if you ask me!!!!

Politely decline the invite.

I wouldn't just now because of the price of petrol! Would have done so before when living rurally if it was a close friend/family.

He's not even that friendly with the birthday girl either!

thats madness! If the parents want to go that far they should arrange the transport IMO.

When my kids were younger parties were regularly held at a soft play area about 30 miles away. It was a great place and no-one minded the journey at all. Mums and dads did car shares and took/brought home various kids. It was never ever a problem.

It's ridiculous! YANBU - when I had the odd party for DC which was further than the local town we always provided transport.

Bit of a cheek to expect parents to go all that way.

It seems a bit much but then I have always lived near a city and perhaps this is normal for rural dwellers.

We went a while ago to one that was 30 miles away. I didn't realise how far it and had already accepted the invite. I really couldn't be bothered to do it, but I did, and it was absolutely amazing. Bells and whistles and gold plated, all that stuff.

Carpool with some other families and split costs?

If he's not even particularly close friends with the girl then I'd just decline it, personally.

Sounds like a long way. Then again, how long will it take to drive? It would only take 30 minutes at national speed limit. We live in a town, and the nearest soft play place I know of is about 6 miles away but can take 40 minutes to get to in heavy traffic!

I wouldn't go. I would politly decline the invite.....

DD2 had an invite like this, the distance made it tricky as DH wasn't around that day and I couldn't leave DD1 alone at home. I asked if I could bring DD1 and would pay for her entrance, food etc. Birthday girl's mum said by all means bring her, no need to pay as they had booked X places and had had cancellations that weren't refundable so DD1 went along. It was a great venue, well worth the trip, both girls had an amazing time and DD1 not only enjoyed herself despite being the oldest one there but also helped birthday child's parents with setting things up, rounding up marauding toddlers and taking said toddlers to toilet etc. A great time was had by all, and we are now fast friends with birthday child's family. It can work.

I wouldn't be keen tbh. Why on earth is it so far away. But I suppose it's only an hour there and an hour back. If my DC was begging to go I might consider it but otherwise I wouldn't.