To feel bad that I can't invite everyone for DS's party

[pickyourselfupandtryagain]

Hey all,

DS is currently in YR3 and has been at his new school for nearly two years.

His birthday is coming up in a few months time and we have both settled on seeing a Christmas Pantomime and going somewhere to eat afterwards. Other type of party venues (laser quest, go karting...etc etc) are coming up ridiculously expensive.

Unfortunately, this means that we can invite all of DS's classmates . AS DS is in a newish school, I would of loved to invite all the children ( They are only 9) to get to know one another etc etc but I can only afford 8-9 guests. DS has chosen about three friends from his old school and can invite four from his new school.

Is this fair ? Can anyone come up with better ideas or is my suggestion a realistic and fair option ?

Its at that age that they tend to move away from whole class parties and have fewer people at a specific activity. Don't feel bad

Thank you demented I guess it is common then.

The only way YABU is in being so ambitious as to want to invite 30 children to a pantomime. Rather you than me - that's a school trip!

Thecats There are only 9 children in DS's year. No way could I do 30z

Just had an idea ! Which will you Mumsnetters choose ?

Pool party or Pantomime?

Personally I would concentrate on fostering friendships in the new school and leave out inviting children from his old school unless he is in regular contact with them.

That's what I was thinking Crimson

However, DS is in regular contact with three of them, plus his friends at his old school are from the local area...the friends from his school are not.

Is the pantomime something they’re likely to normally do with family? Their parents might not be impressed at having a Christmas tradition ‘hijacked’

If you did pool party you could invite everyone. Just another opinion but two of my daughters have in the past been invited to the Panto and I have felt quite sad as it's our family tradition to go over Christmas - I would much prefer it if they were invited to a pool party.

cross-posted with MrsFiona!

I thought that too.

Luckily ! DS birthday is very early in December... straight after from the ending of November.

But I see what you mean ! I was thinking of reserving the Pantomime for our family later on in the evening (for DS birthday) and the pool party for his friends.