Feeling uncomfortable about amount spent on classmates birthday party

[Worstparty]

I've name changed as basically I think this is very identifying as I can't imagine anyone else at all doing this... I'm keeping details obscure (sorry) because Daily Mail.

DS has been invited to a birthday party which I consider hugely (actually grossly) expensive. From what I can fathom the whole thing including 'party bags' is coming to a cost equivalent to a years school fees. We aren't at a 'destination' private school and most parents are fairly ordinary, although does include some 'rich, rich' families but I've never felt any huge difference between families.

How would you handle this? We are really not well off and the party is something we would do as a once a year holiday. I feel very uncomfortable as every other child's party is going to seem bad in comparison. My feeling is to explain to DS that we aren't as well off and wouldn't choose to spend our money like that. I feel like this amazing party is actually going to rob the joy from the whole class for the year.

Honestly Disney isn't a once in a lifetime experience, well it can be and often is for some

I would say it's a once in a lifetime experience for most, if they're even lucky enough to get to go ever!!!

by the way have also rtft and can't see where it's a hotel as opposed to a Disney Store or Disney land and also don't get people saying they'd assume it's Florida as opposed to Paris (how would they all get into Florida?!)

OP I kind of see your point but at the same time it'll be more a case that your son will talk about it in the future as opposed to compare every party he goes to/has to the Disney one. My kids only ever have home parties and they talk about different parties they've been to for totally different reasons, a cake they thought was the best thing they'd ever tasted, having a disco outside with glow sticks as it was getting dark, a lucky dip where they won something cool (and also where the booby prizes were funny), soft play where they got to use arcade games etc. They never compare them and a simple 'x is too many people to invite' or 'we can't afford to do that but we'll do this' will do. If you make a big deal of money, they will too, if you just let them know what you can afford (in a positive way) All they want is a cake and their friends

Let your kid enjoy the party! Why are you overthinking this? My daughter is the youngest in her year so she and I have had the benefit of attending some lovely parties. I've already decided that here's is h going to spectacular, I can't wait. Having said that I know that kids are kids and one of the best parties we've been to has been one where the mum arranged games and a picnic in the back garden and we all brought a bottle to share whilst we watched the kids. It was lovely. I had a really great day and my 4 year old yelled about it for days. You feel like crap because you can't provide a similar party and you're dressing it up as a moral issue. The parents want to indulge their child. They have the money and have invited the class. End of. Be gracious, accept the invitation and be excited for your child.

We've been looking in to Disney and it will definitely be a once in a lifetime experience for us. To do it properly you're looking at a LOT of money. And we're in the US.

I would be grateful for the opportunity for my child tbh. Maybe the birthday child is an only child and would get more out of the experience by taking their friends along.

Regarding your child's future parties, it's ok to not have as much money as other parents and it's ok to say so, both to your child and to other parents. Being less well off is nothing to be ashamed of.