Do you respond to children's party invites?

[thaisweetchill]

I've invited both classes in my child's year for his birthday party (48 kids - I know!), invites went out Tuesday and I've had 4 responses (2 declines, 2 coming)

Do you let the parent know if your child can't make it? I personally do but is it just me?

I'm getting worried no one is going to turn up to my son's party!

I respond immediately yes or no. Otherwise I will forget.

I always respond whether it's a yes or no.
It drove me mad when my son had parties and the majority just didn't respond! I had to chase people via WhatsApp and then most of them said they're coming.

It's polite and courteous to respond to let the host know whether you're attending or not, a quick text takes 30 seconds!

As one folk won't check school bags till Sunday evening

Thanks for the responses, sounds like I'm too eager and should have delayed my sons birthday party by a month which wouldn't be hell on earth at all 😂

Under ordinary circumstances I agree, but if I'm planning on booking a trip in the school holidays that will take priority over a birthday party invite so until I know when our holiday is booked for I wouldn't be committing to anything.

How does the WhatsApp group work if you are only inviting some of the children? Put out the invite and then say by the way Jonny, Betty and Claire aren’t invited

"You see I really don't understand the 'I don't know what we're doing yet then' approach because if there's nothing in your calendar now for that date and your kid wants to go to the party then you accept and don't book something else. It sounds more like 'I'm waiting to see if something better comes up and if not I'll take up your offer of a party'."

The thing is not everyone is, or sometimes is able to be, that organised with the bigger things. You aren't sure when a holiday can be booked for because of work; you have family or friends a long way away that want to meet up, but can't say when yet. It's not something "better" per se, it's not making the whole family miss seeing someone or doing something they get to do once every few years, so that one person can spend a couple of hours with the kids they see 5 days a week most weeks of every year.

Yes always. I try to reply within a day or so as I know what it's like waiting for invites. I just send WhatsApp messages though rather than bother with paper invites.

I always replied as soon as I found the invite otherwise I’d forget. It’s rude not to but some people like to hedge their bets and see if something better comes up. Other times invites go missing although mine was always excited to show me.