Kids party - few RSVP’s

[Kidspartyone]

Basically just looking for some reassurance from parents who’ve experienced it. Sent invitations out via school for birthday party for DD, sent out two weeks ago, party is now under two weeks away. I’ve had so few responses. Is this normal? Few people IRL have told me they experienced the same but most did turn up, is that common?

btw they’re five so very unlikely parents haven’t looked into school bags in two weeks, so doubtful of missed invitations.

What date do the parents have to RSVP by?

Because I was spending money I never go ahead and presume people would turn up after no RSVP.

Did you put a rsvp date on the invite?

Is there a class whatsapp? If so, can you chase on there after the RSVP date has passed.

How many kids were invited and how many have responded?

Is the party at a venue near-by/at a suitable time?

Just trying to get an idea of the party and invite situation.

Sadly there do seem to be parents who rsvp very late or not at all and then turn up with siblings in tow!

I just send WhatsApp invites as I have most of DD's friends' numbers- you definitely know they've got them and easier/quicker to respond/chase up.

I always used to put an RSVP date along with a line to say assumption would be made that you are not attending if not responded by that date. I'd always send out with a date so someone else could be invited.

Also would say if siblings were not able to attend/could attend/cost if any of them attending

I had more than my fair share of Disney dads who'd dump all their children on me a disappear for a couple of hours. I'm not an effing babysitter for you!!!

Sorry, took it off tangent a bit!

Hadn’t put a date for RSVP, is that where I’ve got wrong? I’ve never had it on a kids birthday invite before so didn’t even think to. No WhatsApp group nor have I anyone’s contact details. Party is local so that’s not an issue. I have had 3 replies out of 16.

Yea
always put a date on
i generally send invites 3 weeks before party with rsvp date a week before.
that way can finalise numbers and party bags etc

our school has a fb group for parents . If something like that just put on about the party, that u forgot to ask for rsvp and can people let you know if coming

Lesson learnt for the future, put an RSVP date. Could you catch the parents at pick up or drop off?

Sadly it's very normal.

There was a similar thread only a fee days ago.

Bit difficult with no RSVP date and no whatsapp group.

Could you send a reminder note and ask the school to put that in the children's bag? Failing that, you need to be in the playground and ask the parents.

Yup I threw a party for my six year old just last week. Invites sent out a month in advance with my phone number on so they could let me know if they could come. Barely any texted. There were a few that texted literally two days before the party though. Good news is most did show up but I really couldn't understand why they couldn't of taken ten seconds to send me a text?
Luckily the soft play place we used was pay on the day for however many kids show up and not a pay in advance scenario because that would of really pissed me off

Yeah same here.

Luckily the place we use let's us write down a reserve list.

So we just put down the names of the definitely attending- and have to pay for a minimum of 10.

But then can have a list of maybes- and we just pay for them if they turn up.