To think a simple "x can't attend the party, sorry" would have done

[dilemma456]

Message withdrawn

Oh god. I don't blame him frankly, last time we went to one someone had pooed in the ball pit and there was a bit on the floor elsewhere as well

No seriously I think your email response is perfect.

no response required.
Or 'thanks for letting me know'
Atleasst they had the decency to reply. Lots of people can't be bothered to do that.

Dear X

Thanks so much for sharing. I am very grateful for your perspective.

Yours

Dilemma

I wouldn't really send that though. I wouldn't bother replying, but I'd think it

I DON'T think the e-mail is rude.
A bit precious.
But as most people know. Soft play can be rite nasty places. Sorry, correction. Some of the brats/gits/ un caring- unobservant parents of bratty kids, can really be nasty to our PFB's

So he doesn't like them. Not a crime. I kind of agree. And i have taken ds to plenty.

How about

Dear ***

Thank you so much for letting me know you will not be coming to the party.

Dilemma

(a simple message but its meaning can be taken in several different ways).

Think of it as a lucky escape - no danger of child attending party with purse lipped parent on tow. Poor child, though. Hope she has some friends.

FWIW, I think the email is unnecessarily tactless.

I eat my words if the girl has had a bad playcentre experience in the past, and the dad assumed you knew.

Although tempting to reply something in the vein of, "Sorry about the softplay, crack-den was raided last week" Tigermoth's response would be most apt.

and at this response. How rude!

I would find it almost impossible not to replay sarcastically to this....

Well, that's put you in your place hasn't it?!.

He sounds an insufferable, pompous twonk.

I'd reply, one child fewer to pay for, hooray! No, sorry, I mean I'd think that.

I know someone with a similar attitude to soft play areas as well as pretty much anything else their child might find fun. The child in question is clingy, cries all the time & is comfortable with adults but has no idea how to interact with other children. Just goes to show how damaging letting children have fun is really. I mean you might end up with a happy, confident child & that would never do.

I'd reply: Thanks for letting us know. SOrry to hear you are so pathologically over-anxious, have you considered killing yourself as a way never to have to worry about anything again?

unbelievable.

Dear X dad,

Hmmm, you are probably right. Would X like to play in a hard, spiky, concrete play area?

Dilemma.

PMSL.
Love solidgoldskull's response!

poor child, if they consider padded walls and floors dangerous the poor wee mite must be under house arrest 24/7 for fear it might stub it's toe on a pebble

Lmao - poor child X!!

Would respond with a simple "okaaaaaaaay ..."

I know someone whos dd broke her leg at a soft play centre.

PS she still goes though

DS still has a scar on the back of his head where no hair grows from falling at a soft play area at a party ( I wasn't there)
Think he was trying to climb up the netting and fell from quite a height.
Never put him off and he loves abseiling and climbing now.

It never even occurred to me that they might be dangerous places.

Claire, I have a friend like that, follows her dd 'round adjusting her sun hat, reapplying sun cream, making her sip some more water, wiping her nose, rolling up her sleeves, just constantly doing something to the child. My snotty-nosed urchin with one shoe on and one shoe off has probably been discussed by her at some point!!

Actually what about, if you're very anxious perhaps you'ld like to come too. It would be a shame for X to miss out.

come to think of it, i badly sprained my foot at soft play so it's not just children who are in danger

Dear Xs Dad

Thank you for letting me know your dd can't come to dd's party.

Dilemma

P.S. I have never heard anyone express the view that softplay areas are "dangerous environments" for children before. I'd be very grateful if you could quickly email me re. the hazards as I am unaware of them and do not want to put my DD or her friends in danger. Many thanks.

you'd

Dear X's Dad

Thank you for your reply are you always this precious? I'm sure that one day you'll think back to the email you just sent and cringe.

Kind regards

Dilemma

PS I broke my arm very badly (was told I would probably never be able to use it properly again, although actually it's fine ) running across a field. Perhaps you should share this sorry tale and suggest their child never ever runs.

perhaps they've been out in the "midday" sun and have a few too many to drink - what a bizarre response!!!