To think I understand this mother but she is wrong

[Thefishewife]

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3888522/Oregon-mother-urges-parents-RSVP-turned-son-s-birthday.html

I understand her heart brake my son never went to one party from reception to hear 6 we also tried one party and only 1 child showed but dispite my sons disappointment he would of been mortified if begged people to attended or posted pictures of him sad at his party for 1

I think begging people or ematioal blackmailing them to come is not on really

I would never, ever do this to my son. I have a son of the same age who would be absolutely mortified if I was to share this in this way.

That being said, the story sent cold chills down my spine. I never organise parties for this very reason.

I have an August birthday and I wasn't allowed to have parties as my mum said no one would come which also meant that I got very few party invitations (I can only remember one or two). My DCs had parties every year, at least through primary school. At least this mum tried...

My son didn't really enjoy other children's parties but we had a chat where I pointed out how disappointed the birthday child would be if no one turned up and how much work the mum will have put into preparations etc. He appreciated this and would attend some parties but if he really didn't want to go I always let the parents know well in advance.

It's just so bloody rude not to.

No RSVP might mean they turn up and if he's home schooled previously and this is the first party for him and his mum maybe she didn't realise no RSVP meant rude and not attending rather than rude but will turn up?

When no-one RSVP'd, that was the signal that no-one was coming. You don't just carry on as if they are coming because that's setting your child up for this massive disappointment.

Exactly! What did she think? That they would turn up anyway. She should have followed up with them or made the effort of contacting the teacher for parents details.

I think it's fair to say the mother misread the signals. Being on MN has been a real eye opener for me with a preschooler and non RSVP rates. I'll know what to expect but if she has homeschooled she's unlikely to have picked up on these signals herself.

What signals? She said she knew none of the other parents. Her child telling her the others were coming isn't to be trusted! Every parent knows that!

I had no experience of schools when mine started but I knew enough that I couldn't believe everything the DC told me.

He had been home school'ed before. He had only been at the new school for a month. She sent the invites. Clearly she didn't know the parents. But under those circumstances, I would get her son to ask the children, and I would then go into the school at pick up and approach the mums, for confirmation that they were coming.

the situation is unusual. Is this in the USA?