Iv just booked my dd4 birthday party without thinking..

[WaitroseAldi]

My dd4 wanted a birthday party last year but obviously couldn’t so we have planned for this year. She’s been SO excited, she wants it at the local soft play. She’s spent days writing her list of friends etc.

I just paid the deposit for the party (27th June) without even thinking that it might not go ahead! I’m kicking myself now for even mentioning it or letting her get her hopes up 😩😩

Well could you invite 4 friends as a definite?

If you need to cancel, you don't tell her it's cancelled, you tell her it's moved to the park or it's changed to a smaller group of friends so you can do something special. Don't tell her it's downgraded even if it is!

DD4 was happy with her 'party' which was mid lockdown, just our immediate family, we put on party dresses and blew up balloons and it was fun even though it was the same four bloody walls we'd been in forever.

I'd say gently to her that the rules about the virus might change so you hope you can have it at soft play, but if not then you'll still do something nice.

Ive told my son too about his soft play party on the 27th June. I think it will go ahead so try not to worry.

The average current 4 year old is surely now already an expert in realising that things can get cancelled at short notice? Let her have her excitement and if it does need to be cancelled have a Plan B ready (or at least a "we'll have the party when soft play opens up again").

Don't mention it again until nearer the time, or just mention it vaguely like it's "soon". Chances are it will be able to go ahead in some form. Even if the road map doesn't go ahead it will probably remain at the current level, so she could have the party outside or just have fewer friends or just go to soft play with friends but not as an official party.

When do I give invites out incase it does go ahead?

Isn't it being announced on the 14th what happens to the rest of the roadmap?
I'd say the 15th (which would be nearly 2 weeks ahead, so about when you'd want to be sending out invites anyway).

I just did a party in the back garden for 10 6 year olds (up to 30 is allowed). Was chaos but ok. Another option would be the local park for a picnic type thing. I think you just need some kind of backup plan but will cross fingers as my son too also had a big party cancelled last year.

@WaitroseAldi

When do I give invites out incase it does go ahead?

Now but you make clear that plans could change.

We've had birthday party invites for around same time, most people are aware everything is subject to change.

You’d still be able to do it under current rules just use a range of tables

@Watapalava

You’d still be able to do it under current rules just use a range of tables

This is a way around the current rules, it is not in keeping with the spirit of the rules.

Is it really a good idea to try to wiggle round the rules if we are in the shit situation of having to delay unlocking due to a variant of concern

Yes a varient of concern where most cases proved now to be people in their 20s🙈 honestly get over it no one cares about covid other than 4-5 posters on Mumsnet

@Watapalava

Yes a varient of concern where most cases proved now to be people in their 20s🙈 honestly get over it no one cares about covid other than 4-5 posters on Mumsnet

This is such a stupid take you surely can't understand what is being discussed - if the GOVERNMENT delays reopening, then it won't just be '4-5 posters on Mumsnet' will it

If there is no change to the roadmap, the OP won't have to change her plans. But if there is a change to the roadmap, from the most gung-ho leader in Europe, I think you'd be a bit of a dipshit to discount the signs.

If plans change - and there’s no suggestion they will - op having families sitting on 2m apart tables will be no bigger threat than those tables being occupied by strangers.

If OP asked anyone other than Mumsnet they’d all say similar given common sense is not very common on these covid threads