birthday party for DD3 !- DH is furious with me!

[drlove8]

because ive booked a party bus for DD3'S 11th birthday! ...it is quite expensive and she can only have 12 "guests" ... need to explain a bit. Last year dd3 had a bithday party booked in a local kids play area, sort of indoor adventure playgrond place, she had the "disco" party booked... and we handed out the invites. DD4 came home from school that day crying - none of her friends would be able to go because another little girl's mum had decided to throw a massive party/bbq at her new 5 bedroom house , they'd just moved in and the "parents were invited too" so of course DD3'S kids party looked a bit shit compared to that. we got one reply that dd3's best friend would go... one out of 30! the thing is the party was booked for dd3's actual birthday , the other wee girl's birthday was days later ... who also said to dd3 that her " party place was for babies" .... AGAIN this year the other wee girl has a party booked on DD3's birthday... but its at the "party place for babies!" .... so i thought bugger this im going to have something for dd3 thats extra special!... so i booked the party bus!... its booked at an earlier time than the other wee girls party and will end just before hers starts.... so the kids cam go to both parties if they choose to.... so am i being unreasonable ... i just dont want my wee DD3 in tears again on her birthday!

Lol, cashmere jumpers on Ebay are a tenner! It's not like I do it every day. And we don't run even one car, either. Expensive things. We'd rather have books and use public transport. ;)

Qally - Oh, I don't feel so deprived now! I was just wondering where on earth I am going wrong?!

the party bus cost about £300. that looks awful written down, but we dont do "big" christmas , just £100 each on the kids then, the birthdays are easier to do as (apart from the twins) its one child at a time.We dont go on holidays either, or have a huge mortgage or a new car- just a decent second hand one.I dont smoke and rarely drink .

drlove8 - you sound as if you are trying to justify £300 on a party bus for 1 of your 8 kids. To us - or youself?

Qally I shall join you in the farts corner

in the same boat sort of,my older daughters birthday falls the same day as a friend of hers,we didnt realise till we were chatting with the mum,they are exactly a year apart and have only been friends since xmas,because my daughter goes up to school this yr i wanted a special send off for her as like the friend mentioned alot of my daughters friends will stay in nursery whilst she goes up. i took the fairest approach and asked what the other girls plans would be,i took the approach which was true that my daughter would like the girl at her party so i would make alternative plans,i was lucky to have a fantastic mum who said"hadn't given it any thought yet but why don't we do a joint one" how great is that,you see there are some good ones out there

well DS1 felt he was a little too old for the Jelly and Ice Cream/pass the parcel thing last year when he turned 8.

So he chose 5 friends to take to McDonalds (just the bog standard meal, plus ice cream - not a proper booked "party" there) then we came back here and they had a PS2 party - plaing games for 2hrs with £1 pizzas and crisps to munch on.

£100 each @ Christmas = £800

I have often done dc's party (both sept babes) in November, they love having a late birthday party.

Norma ta! Have you got any Midget Gems ?

FAQ, I'm thinking along exactly the same lines for DS's 7th this year

I have always gone all out for my daughter on her birthday. The reason being was that I never had one single party when I was a child (not that nobody cared, just my parents were workaholics). That is why I make every effort to give her the best party that all her friends and nw freinds can come to.

Her 6th Party was the Party bus 25 kids
Her 7th Party was makeup session and karoke 15 kids
Her 8th was a sleepover with a trip to the cinema 9 kids
Her 9th was a trip to London Aquarium 10 Kids
Her 10th (4th July) will be a disco party with to proffessional dancers teaching the girls dance moves, music, food and a seperate tatooist. Boys are welcome this year and it will be held in a hall. It will cost altogteher including hall, ballons, food, t-shirts, hall dressing etc etc about £800. It is her 10th though, she turns double figures! she knows next year will be different until she gets to 13.

There will be around 40 children give or take a few that cant make it.

All my family help at every party and I really make it special.

I think it doesn;t matter what day you hold it on as long as some people go and you capture those experiences on film/pictures.

After all friendships can only be really made with memories.

well I'm they don't do party busses where I am, quite fancied that for our DD's 10th. Back to the drawing board I guess.

Bye the way drlove8 I don't think YABU at all. Have a fab time

Ouch!! I don't blame you.

OMG £800 for one childs birthday party!!!

that would prob pay for a weeks/poss 2 weeks holiday as a family abroad somewhere

Lol - It is not that much when she will remember it when she gets older. Those memories are priceless.

Re the holiday away, we prefer to go camping in the new forest etc and regularly do that each year a couple of times a year.

A holiday abroad comes every 2 years.

I have been organising her party since December as I always find that the first 4 months of a new year go really quick!

We are ruthless with saving and always save for the next year ahead. So it isnt such a blow. Next year is the holiday abroad. It is also her 11th and since that isnt a marker of sorts she will just get presents and a small party.

Also just to say that we asked her if she wanted a big party this year or lots of presents. I told her that if she has the big party we cant get her the any presents. She was happy with that.

She got alot from friends and family...my sister brought her tickets to disney paris! I was shocked! lol She is a good girl and isnt spoilt, she knows the difference and is a very caring young soul.

Maybe I am just too organised. lol

I just want her to have the partis she really remembers and enjoy the time with her friends.

@ bettyjack.... im with you on the fantastic memories when your DD looks back and thinks wow, when i was little...... Had shite time when i was growing up so it especially important to me that my DC have a fuss made of them.Lightshines ... your right i am trying to justify the money ive spent on DD3... because its a bit more than i usually do....( which is why DH is a grump about it). Five of the kids birthdays are in the next two months! -ouch!

I don't think YABU.

I think you are trying to make up for the horrible time your dd had last year.

• just thought id update on this.... Well today is DD3'S BIRTHDAY! ....DD3 had a brilliant time (as did her friends). She went to the other birthday party first.( i changed the time of her bus , after reading what everyone posted , so it was later.)We picked up the children who were comming on dd3's bus and everyone invited( except two kids, one was going on holiday, the other wee girl wasnt allowed (mum doesnt know us).So they had karioke and music, and had fizzy drinks in champaine glasses to drink. We took loads of pictures and have one of each wee girl with dd3- will send them out in the thank you notes. After the bus we had a house party too, jelly and ice cream included! , then they all went home with their party bags- ( bubbles, bobbles, sweets ,pens and of course birthday cake). The best bit was when dd3 said to me " mum ive had a brilliant day, love you and gave me a massive hug," - even DH admited he enjoyed it all too! Now give me your opinions on a " treasure hunt & picnic party " for a soon to be 14 yr old girl...am thinking beach barbique...

glad it all went well