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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked and dismayed that DS has been invited to a joint party.

421 replies

SparklyDiscoGirl · 03/09/2008 13:23

This party is going to be in a soft-play centre and it is a joint party between 4 of the boys in his class.

AIBU to think that this is a total cop-out on behalf of the parents involved?

DS is friends with all 4 of the boys and so it will be impossible to do anything excpet buy a present each for all 4 boys.

The parents who are planning this party clearly realise that this will be the predicament for all of the parents of invited children and yet are going ahead with this ludicrous plan regardless.

AIBU to think this is just taking the whole joint party thing waaay too far?

OP posts:
overthemill · 03/09/2008 13:29

me too! honest

LadySanders · 03/09/2008 13:29

i keep rereading this wondering if i've missed the point. it sounds really sensible to me. don't buy any of them anything if it really bothers you that much. or don't go?

morningpaper · 03/09/2008 13:30

TIGHT? fgs! Since when was hosting a party for a small child an act of generosity to the guests? Do they REALLY CARE?

IllegallyBrunette · 03/09/2008 13:30

YABU

Go to the pound shop, buy them a colouring book, they will have Spiderman or something else suitable. Get each one a small pack of felts and bobs your uncle.

bozza · 03/09/2008 13:30

shocked and dismayed is a bit OTT. I can, however, see your point rather. DS was invited to a soft play party by 3 girls, none of whom he is that friendly with. I got them 3 for 2 presents out of M&S. I would suggest you either buy a pack of books from the book people and split them, or buy a sticker book and pack of felt tips each.

mm22bys · 03/09/2008 13:31

I think it's a great idea! I hate birthday parties, especially when the only people you know are the party girl (or boy) and her (or his) mother, and everyone else knows each other so they don't care about getting to know the new girl!.

painful in the extreme.

You only get to go to one instead of four?

Everyone's a winner! And if you don't know all four, just buy a present for the ones your DS does know - it' snot like they'll be sitting around who got what from whom...

nailpolish · 03/09/2008 13:31

its no TIGHT

waht the fuck does it matter?

god you moan about soft play parties then you moan taht you are being invited to one instead of 4...

BroccoliSpears · 03/09/2008 13:31

lol Cod - what's imfo? In my f..... oppinion?

To OP - YABU.

overthemill · 03/09/2008 13:31

we now get round all this nonsense with pressies by a collection for the child(ren) arranged by a mum. usually you put in £3 - £5 and the child gets a much nicer present and it doesnt cost too much. with whole class parties this gets mad otherwise

Original poster
SparklyDiscoGirl · 03/09/2008 13:32

Agree with Cod as well.

If the parents were dividing up the invites so each party boy gets to invite a quarter of the class, this would perfectly acceptable.

But no, the invite comes from Boy 1, Boy 2, Boy 3 and Boy 4.

You cannot possibly reply: 'Many thanks for the invite. We'd love to come, and we will chose to send our present to boy 3. Thank you."

OP posts:
nailpolish · 03/09/2008 13:32

giving money to a samall child is ridiculous, greedy and lazy

FluffyMummy123 · 03/09/2008 13:32

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morningpaper · 03/09/2008 13:32

I am SOOOOO baffled by this

Children's parties are just something you ENDURE to keep them happy until they leave home

end
of

KVC · 03/09/2008 13:32

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ifyoudidntlaughyoudcry · 03/09/2008 13:33

If the boys had had individual parties, would he have been invited to each one? If so then surely it makes it all more convenient for you?

If not then hopefully you'll find something not too expensive for each one. How old are they?

FluffyMummy123 · 03/09/2008 13:33

Message withdrawn

mrsruffallo · 03/09/2008 13:33

Take them a home made card each

Buda · 03/09/2008 13:33

Very sensible imv. DS has been to a joint party for 3 boys. All their birthdays are in the same week so it made sense. I was very glad not to have to take him to 3 parties.

StarlightMcKenzie · 03/09/2008 13:33

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nailpolish · 03/09/2008 13:33

dont buy them anythingn then if thats how you feel

actually, why bother going?

AvenaLife · 03/09/2008 13:33

I thought the purpose of a party is to spoil the birthday child and for all of the children to have fun. They will all be having fun because their friends will be there, it's a bit hard to spoil 4 children though. You would have had to go to 4 anyway (I should have added this but forgot) and shell out for 4 presens but it's a bit sad for the 4 children to have to share cake/pass the parcel etc. I suppose they won't really be bothered if they are going to a soft play centre though.

morningpaper · 03/09/2008 13:33

why not just ONE party everyeyar on tat basis?

IF ONLY

IllegallyBrunette · 03/09/2008 13:33

I really don't understand why it matters.

If anything, you can get away with buying slightly cheaper pressies because the parents of the recipients will know you had to buy 4. If each of those kids had a seperate party each it would probably cost you more in pressies imo.

hatrick · 03/09/2008 13:33

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FluffyMummy123 · 03/09/2008 13:33

Message withdrawn