Took my dd to a party and I’d forgotten to reply to the invite

[givingupimdone]

I feel awful! Only realised when she clearly had an emergency party bag ……. I want to cry 😭

Did you apologise or style it out? It’s an easy mistake to make.

its done now
i dont think it was a big deal

Styled it out and left promptly at the finish, shall I text apologising?

Don’t worry too much about it, that’s why there are emergency party bags.

Just apologise to the parent if possible.

If it makes you feel better I completely forgot I was supposed to meet a new candidate at work yesterday that was shadowing my session. I was 20 minutes late as I was buying stuff for the session but it was lucky I was on site at all as I sometimes just stay off site. Oops

That’s peanuts …. I’ve done worse and I have had siblings forced in my kids party last minute numerous times soooo do not feel bad!

It happens! Could be worse:

I once booked a party, forgot the day, told everyone (and myself) the wrong day, we all turned up and the venue were expecting us the week after!
They were very good about it and squeezed us in (and I was very grateful and gave a huge tip) but I still feel a bit hot and sweaty about it five years later.

To add insult to injury I didn’t know the child and said child had a name that could be either girl or boy…….. I bought a girls present after dd told me said child was a girl (guessing she didn’t really know said child) and yes you guessed it……… child is a boy 😫 my MH was already in the pits and now I feel such a failure

All you can do is apologise and try not to let anything similar happen again.

Also plenty of boys are happy to play with what adults and toy companies consider to be 'girls' toys.

A toy is pretty much just a toy.

Is send an apology, that you thought you rsvp but just realised message hadnt sent.
Depending on the toy, you could offer receipt

Easy enough to do, you’re only human. I would message to apologise. I’m sure the birthday child’s mum has done similar. She will think better of you if you apologise than not!

Don't worry, these things happen. A quick WhatsApp will do the trick and do look after yourself. The other parent won't want you to go into a shame spiral for a simple mistake.

Eg. 'I'm so sorry, I realised after the party that I'd actually forgotten to rsvp and you weren't expecting us (insert emoji). Life's been a bit hectic recently and it must have slipped my mind. I'm so sorry that it put you on the spot but thank you for being such a kind host. Xxxx and I had a wonderful time xx.'

Agree, apologise. 'I'm so sorry I just realised... I'm sorry for inconveniencing you...' no doubt parent will just say no problem, child was delighted your child could make it after all. If you don't send a message they might think you rude but most parents have made this type of error at some time and they will totally understand

Agree - just send a message to apologise & offer the receipt for the gift.

UPDATE - I messaged, mum was so kind ❤️ I still feel mortified but I guess it’s a lesson learnt! Thank you for all the reassuring messages xxx

I wouldn’t feel bad. Maybe a quick apology for not responding but more the merrier! To be honest, if that happened at DD’s party I’d probably assume I’d missed your acceptance and it was my fault!

Glad it’s all ok.

unless the gift is operated by their genitals (in which case it’s not really appropriate for kids) I would say there’s no such thing as a girls gift or boys gift.
Please don’t be mortified. If I don’t get replies for my children, I always follow up so this is also on mum who sent the invites. Never mind!

Offer to swap the gift, you'll probably make a life long friend!

I remember a child turning up for my little brother’s birthday party 24 hours before. We all had a chuckle and they went home.
I remember going to a university interview a week late! Thankfully it was only
in London and I lived in the outer suburbs. I felt so stupid about it though.

Aw you’ve done the right thing by contacting the child’s mum to explain. Sounds like she was lovely as you have been by apologising and explaining. Try to put it behind you.

Always best to buy presents that suit both.

Don’t make assumptions that a girl will like a stereotypical ‘girl’ present and same with boys.

My DD loathed ‘girly stuff’ and much preferred Lego or craft

and it also means you won’t fall foul of neutral names.

Yes

I had someone who didn't reply turn up to DDs party with siblings (who were invited, but still), just kind of sneak in, didn't bring a card or gift and didn't speak to any of us once!

i had someone turn up to a party at our house a day early, they tried to insist i was wrong
i took my dd's to an activity a day early, we paid and went anyway, so 2 days in a row
also i went for an interview a day early, returned the next day to find the job was intended for full time when i wanted part time