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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Three child party??

106 replies

DailyMailFail101 · 23/02/2018 15:53

I have booked my son aged three a fourth birthday party for Sunday, I gave the invites out two weeks ago, out of 30children I have had 3rsvps. AIBU to still go ahead with the party, my son is so excited I haven’t got the heart to cancel it, but is it really a party with three children. It’s at a soft play centre I would still have to pay for all 30children as it was a special package offer. I’m so unsure of what to do, it’s made me feel really sad.

OP posts:
MadMags · 23/02/2018 15:55

Don’t assume they won’t show just because they haven’t RSVPd!

In my experience about half of the parents don’t RSVP but still show up!

MadMags · 23/02/2018 15:56

However, if you’re worried perhaps a text asking for numbers and if you get a lot of non-attenders you could cancel the party and take ds and his three pals for a day at the soft play instead!

OuchBollocks · 23/02/2018 15:56

I bet at least half a dozen will show up! But tbh you might as well have the party. At 4, 3 children is as good as 30 and they will enjoy having soft play to themselves without getting flattened.

People are so rude.

Kikashi · 23/02/2018 15:56

Could you send out reminders saying you need RSVP's or do you have nay phone numbers for parents and could text them to RSVP and to pass on the message to any parents they know? Might give you a better idea of numbers. Good luck

Original poster
DailyMailFail101 · 23/02/2018 16:12

I hope your right MadMags, at this point I’d love people to turn up who haven’t rsvp.

I agree with rudeness though I’d never dream of turning up unannounced

I haven’t got any numbers to chase parents up and because my son is in after school club I have been unable to ask the parents directly.

OP posts:
MadMags · 23/02/2018 16:15

Hmm...tough one!

I think you have to just hope for the best in that case. Either way, I’m sure your ds will have a lovely day!

Ilovechocolatetoomuch · 23/02/2018 16:16

Did you hand invites directly to parents? We had one for our ds vanish between the nursery teacher and us. I only found out about it through another mum.

Original poster
DailyMailFail101 · 23/02/2018 16:20

I gave the invites to the teacher who assured me she gave them out, if only the turn up goodness knows what I’m going to do with 30 Spider-Man disc shooters and kazoos!

OP posts:
Aridane · 23/02/2018 16:27

Do you have email addresses or phone numbers for reminders??

rocketgirl22 · 23/02/2018 16:32

Ask the school office to forward an email to all the parents with a deadline for an rsvp.

It is so rude not to reply!

I would go ahead, it will be lovely even with a small number of children and he will be so disappointed.

KitKat1985 · 23/02/2018 16:33

I also agree that I bet a few extra people turn up who just didn't bother to RSVP, despite it being rude.
Regardless I'd probably go ahead and have the party, because I couldn't face upsetting my kid by cancelling it.

SweetMoon · 23/02/2018 16:34

You need to get the teacher to hand out reminders that you provide. Its shocking only 3 have replied. Plus this way you'll know if anyone didnt actually get the invite!

ChocolateButton15 · 23/02/2018 16:34

Hopefully more kids turn up on the day. Last party I did there was over 10 turn up that hadn't rsvp'd. Does the school/pre school have a Facebook group you could post on to ask?

ChocolateButton15 · 23/02/2018 16:36

Or maybe txt the mums of the 3 that responded and ask if they have any of the other mums numbers?

zzzzz · 23/02/2018 16:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tillytrotter1 · 23/02/2018 16:38

You need to get the teacher to hand out reminders that you provide. Its shocking only 3 have replied. Plus this way you'll know if anyone didnt actually get the invite!

You seriously expect a teacher to waste their time on this???

MissWood · 23/02/2018 16:39

Rocketgirl, I can't believe that you think the school office staff should get involved in party arrangements!

MrsSpenserGregson · 23/02/2018 16:39

I did a party for my DC's 7th birthday. Ten - TEN! - parents either sent me a text, or called me on the morning of the party, RSVP-ing with a yes.

Three of them asked if they could bring siblings.

FFS.

Anyway - what is the cancellation policy for the soft play place?

HollyBayTree · 23/02/2018 16:40

Ask the school office to forward an email to all the parents with a deadline for an rsvp.

The school office is not your personal PA system. Anywhere I've worked, that sort of request would be declined.

BrieAndChilli · 23/02/2018 16:42

Are there any other kids you could invite - cousins, friends kids etc?

rocketgirl22 · 23/02/2018 16:48

misswood

Our school office are happy to help, and often send out things like this when there is a parent that needs help.

Our office ladies and kind and helpful and not stroppy jobsworths so that makes all the difference to the school atmosphere. Maybe op is at a school that help out occasionally with problems

Original poster
DailyMailFail101 · 23/02/2018 16:51

I don’t think there’s anything more I can do as it’s Friday and the party is Sunday, I’ll just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best? I do hope most of you are right and people just turn up!

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 23/02/2018 16:54

Can't be worse than my dd's 3rd birthday.

I had arranged a soft play party for her and 8 children.

1 turned up. 1. The other two who came were family children so would have been there regardless.

Luckily, the soft play place gave us vouchers towards the cost we paid for the missing children which was nice of them

tillytrotter1 · 23/02/2018 16:55

The nasty solution that I would employ, contact the three who have replied, ask them to come an hour early and take them all out somewhere! Hopefully the thoughtless will turn up to a closed up house.

Chugalug · 23/02/2018 16:59

Every party I have ever done I have had to chase people up...I found those that didn't reply to invite weren't coming for whatever reason...in your shoes op.id cancel and text the parents who did reply and explain,and do something different.i wouldn't risk having to pay for 30...