How hard is it to just send a yes/no text

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

DD is supposed to be having her birthday party Saturday. First one in 3 years after the one two years ago being cancelled last minute and lockdown last year.

She sent 5 invitations last week. Slightly short notice due to DHs job.
I've had no replies.

To add in backstory... started new school last Easter. No opportunity to meet other parents. I have no contact details. Shes had a hard time making friends.

One child has said to DD that she thinks she can come. One has said he thinks he can't. The others... nothing.

I have no idea what to do now. Do I presume they are coming or not?

Big part ofme wishes I had never bothered and arranged a day out instead but she really wanted a party!

Oh no that's awful. Makes me rage that people are so rude it's so unfair on your DD.
Do you do school pick up at all? Any chance of catching the parents? Might be worth asking the teacher to put another friendly note in children's bags asking parents to confirm as you need to plan.
Also if your DD is able can she ask her friends? They could pester their parents!
I hope it works out

I've written notes to all the parents for DD to hand out today. All her friends are in breakfast and after school club or picked up by grandparents so I have never met them.

This is normal. You'll probably find a couple just turn up without any contact at all. Very difficult when you're trying to make plans. Is it a fixed number thing? If not are there any children of your friends or cousins that could swell the numbers a bit in case of a low turnout?

At the moment its just my two DDs and my best friends dD. If its just the three of them I'll take them to the big pool and ice rink instead!

Fortunately its just a small craft and science experiment party at home.

** Playplayaway

This is normal. You'll probably find a couple just turn up without any contact at all.**

^Not normal in my experience at all. And anyone I know of.

Got one confirmation at the school gate today. Four to go...

@drpet49

** Playplayaway

This is normal. You'll probably find a couple just turn up without any contact at all.**

^Not normal in my experience at all. And anyone I know of.

I've done probably upwards of 30 parties for my own dc and helped with nieces/nephews parties. It's VERY normal to have to chase people, have one or two that don't reply at all but still turn up, reply they are coming but don't turn up, bring siblings along without asking first etc.

My dc are old enough that before text/email we had the invites with the cut off rsvp on the bottom that were supposed to be handed back so there was always a risk of those going awol, but even since texting I still found myself chasing a couple in the playground a day or two before the party, worried that the paper invite hadn't actually got to the child.

I think some parents wait until the last minute because they aren't sure of other plans. A simple 'I'm not sure but will let you know by Friday' or whatever is preferable to radio silence.

Par for the course and generally that's why it's easier to book a hall or do it in the garden/park than have a fixed number party such as bowling etc.

Apart from DDs preschool class, I've always had a few non replies (except elder DDs sleepover party, but I had contacted the parents myself for that!). But never complete radio silence. Coupled with DDs friendship issues it was worrying. (DD will be 9, elder DD is 10 in Yr6)

Unfortunately this does not surprise me. Hope you can get the answers you need.

I think it's a lot of pressure to invite a small number and also not much notice. So please don't take it personally if more don't come. With a group of four I think it's enough to have the party they will have a better chance of getting to know eachother.

Try not to be tempted to change the plans because inevitably someone will come at short notice and there's always the chance of standing someone up, which I've done and it was awful!

It's really sad ...can you send out reminder notes and hand it over to DD's class teacher so that way it can be given to the child's grownups by the teacher?

Children can be quite forgetful , I had parents texting me last minute for some of my pre booked and paid for parties.

Parents are very busy these days so I don't blame them but this is not normal at all.

There's alot of apathy around. Some don't bother replying and some even forget

Two of her friends found their invitations in their bags at school today. 9 year olds!

Their parents are probably cursing the last minute invitations now!

But even if its just the one school friend, their out of school friend and my two we will have a good time.

UPDATE: now had 4/5 acceptances.
DD very excited.

Our youngest is a few years younger than the other two so I’m in this world for the second time… drives me mad! Did a whole class party. Got some instant replies… then nothing & then 10 responses to her party the day before this time… mostly acceptance too! Just as well I had over ordered for party bags etc!! I’ve declared to DH that that is the last village hall, whole class party we’re ever doing!!

Just seen your update. Lovely! Have a great bday celebration.

Aw! Lovely to see the update. Hope your dd has a brilliant time

It drives me round the bend when people don't rsvp - my dd (youngest) turned 6 recently and I was chasing replies the day before her party. I do think it's pretty rude - fine if people can't come, but let me know so I can mobilise cousins as back up!

Amazing!!