To 'advertise' for another child to share ds2s birthday?

[Mascaramascara1]

Ok so weird title but something I'm thinking about.

Ds1 is 6. There is a boy from a club he goes to whose birthday is two days before his (same age). A couple of months before his 5th birthday, ds1 and this boy (who he knows but isn't particularly friendly with) came running out of the club at pick up time with the amazing idea that they wanted a joint party. Cue awkward smiles from both me and the other boys mum and a vague 'maybe...'. But they kept going on and on about it every week, until the other mum (who i didn't know more than to say hi to) approached me and asked what we were planning for ds1's party and tentatively asked how I felt about a joint party.

Anyway, after much discussion we decided to go for it. We booked a community centre that would hold up to 50, Bouncy castle etc. Both ds1 and the other boy got to invite their whole (seperate, different schools) classes, about 60 kids in all, and about 40 turned up.

It worked amazingly well...as the party was a single-price type one, we both saved £'s by sharing the cost. The atmosphere was crazy lovely with so many dc, no worries about having an empty venue, buffet duties were shared, both dc loved it. So much so, we did the same this year for their 6th and they're already discussing their plans for their joint 7th (in Jan).

Anyway...ds2 is 4. He had his first 'whole class' party in May for his 4th, which he enjoyed. But now ds1 is talking about his next joint party, ds2 has started asking if he can have a joint one too (I know it's months away but something that's come up now).

I've explained that we don't really know anyone with the same birthday for him to share with and he's really disappointed and quite upset...not in a tantrummy way, in a 'I wish I was as lucky as ds1 way' which is really sad to see.

So, I've considered 'advertising' for a birthday sharer for ds2 nearer the time...initial thoughts have been to just maybe put a post on Facebook, throw it out and see if anyone is interested. I'd imagine there's bound to be many other similar aged kids in the area with the sameish birthday.

Dh thinks I'm crazy . He thinks it will look really weird to search for someone to share ds2's party and that no one will be interested, and I'll make ds2 look like some poor friendless waif.

It's worked so so well for ds1 I thought it was a good idea. What would you think? Aibu?

I have to say I probably wouldn't. You'd want the friends to all fit in together and how are you going to do that if you/they don't know each other. How about instead trying to find a different way to make his birthday parties distinctive and special?

I'm with your DH. You advertising this will make you come across as someone weird looney. Your DS will just have to accept it's one of those things.

If you have a friend with a child whose birthday falls around the same time, go for it.

Touting for a random child on facebook? No. It would be a bit odd.

No I woulden't do what your doing. If you know a friend of your ds whose birthday is round the same time, than ask his parents, but a random post on Facebook noooo.

Maybe find out when the children in his class/club have their birthdays. Start chatting to the mum of the child birthday closest to your child's, a few weeks before their birthday and say that you wanted to check their parties wouldn't clash and then mention just how well (and cheap!) the joint party works out.

Having a joint party with a friend, and sharing the limelight with some random you don't even know are a whole different ball game.
Does your ds understand that even if you found someone willing to do this; he wouldn't actually know them? I'm amazed you're even considering such a thing, tbh.