I'm looking for advice about my sons 5th birthday party. It's in 4 weeks and as he's my first I'm unsure of party etiquette! Especially as it's relatively soon into the school year for forming friendships, my son as well as myself with the other mums!
He has 2 good friends from nursery, but as he's gone onto a different school than them, he gets a bit shy around them now as we only meet every few weeks. And they weren't at his 4th party either cos he hadn't become close with them at that point. It was family only party last year, so feeling a bit like a fish out of water at the moment!
I've had a few brief conversations and smiles to other parents but nothing substantial apart from 1 other mum, who we're having a play date with tomorrow after school at a soft play.
I can't afford to hire a party at a softplay at the moment unfortunately. Unless I could tell his friends where we are headed and say they're more than welcome to meet us but that it isn't a formal party. Unsure weather this would come across impolite to other parents and/or soft play staff? Less keen on this option really.
Other 2 choices of venue is, a family members events room at their sheltered accommodation, I'm waiting to hear back yet though, although this is where we had his 4th birthday as a family.
Other choice is my house, although I moved few months ago and house is still a bit of a mess haha.
I would prefer the events room, it isn't huge but it suitable for say 8/10 kids and parents.
I'm just asking, weather it would be appropriate to only invite around 5 or 6 kids from his school class or would this be considered impolite? If the party has to be at my house, then this number would need to go down to 3 unfortunately due to space.
I'd always assumed than when a child had a birthday party the whole class got invited, I can't really remember from when I was a child. And it seems that soft play parties have spiked in popularity lately, although I'm not too sure as I don't have many friends with kids.
Also wondering if 3/4 weeks notice is enough? My sons birthday is on the 7/12.
Would after school be OK to have a party for a few hours? Or would the weekend be better? What's the generally done thing? I'd prefer is all invited could attend. I'm guessing there's pros and cons to each. I won't be able to told it on sat 4th, possibly Sun 5th, depending on how the 4th goes as I'll be travelling home. Other option is weekend 11th/12th.
And what about siblings? If its at my house I might not have the room if a lot of children come with siblings. And it's not as it it's suitable weather for the kids to be playing in the garden too.
Sorry for such a long post about something that should be a simple thing but got myself into a bit of a stress!!
Thanks for reading this far.
I've had a mumsnet for a few years, but only really a lurker, couldn't remember old account name so needed to create a new one.
Thanks for any advice!!