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Do parents tend to RSVP or just turn up?

7 replies

lorinay · 25/09/2025 11:16

DS has invited his whole class to his 7th birthday party (around 30 kids).

The invites went out two weeks ago and I’ve only heard back from seven parents. The party is on the 12th of an October and I put RSVP by the 1st.

I’m not sure if I’m getting worried for no reason? I’m not sure whether to put a message in the class WhatsApp after the RSVP date?

Also worried that DS is going to feel crap about barely anyone turning up to his party!

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MyCatPrefersPeaches · 25/09/2025 11:19

I would put a reminder on the group today that you need to know numbers by next week. Will you be doing pick up at any point? Can you ask people in the queue whether they’re able to make it or not?

I sympathise as we mistimed invites for a January party last year and felt like I had to do a lot of chasing, but in my experience kids don’t mind how big a party it is as long as their particular friends are there. But I did find a lot of people seem to consider that RSVP means “say yes if you’re coming, ignore if not” whereas I’m old-school and interpret as “say whether you can or can’t make it”!

PastaAllaNorma · 25/09/2025 11:21

I'd sent a prompt on the 1st. People are a bit lax about RSPB when there's a long lead time and often need reminding.

Original poster
lorinay · 25/09/2025 11:23

MyCatPrefersPeaches · 25/09/2025 11:19

I would put a reminder on the group today that you need to know numbers by next week. Will you be doing pick up at any point? Can you ask people in the queue whether they’re able to make it or not?

I sympathise as we mistimed invites for a January party last year and felt like I had to do a lot of chasing, but in my experience kids don’t mind how big a party it is as long as their particular friends are there. But I did find a lot of people seem to consider that RSVP means “say yes if you’re coming, ignore if not” whereas I’m old-school and interpret as “say whether you can or can’t make it”!

Thank you so much for responding!!

I thought the same, but DS has said he is worried that not many people will turn up.

Hoping a little nudge in the group chat does the trick.

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Original poster
lorinay · 25/09/2025 11:39

PastaAllaNorma · 25/09/2025 11:21

I'd sent a prompt on the 1st. People are a bit lax about RSPB when there's a long lead time and often need reminding.

Thank you!

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PastaAllaNorma · 25/09/2025 14:36

I obviously mentioned RSPV, and not the well regarded Bird charity, obviously.

mindutopia · 25/09/2025 16:19

They will know to RSVP, but it’s still early days, not the 2nd. Give people time. If everyone has been invited, I’d follow up with the ones who haven’t responded on the 2nd.

Cxx84 · 25/09/2025 18:28

I have this panic every year but guarantee that a couple of days before the party you'll get a lot of "so sorry I have only just found the invite" messages and you'll go from predicting 12 children attending to hosting for all 30 kids!
Also, some parents genuinely have not found the invitations in kids book bags, back packs etc. If you're letting the teacher give the invitations out, definitely do a little "checking that everybody received the invite" message on group chat

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