Should I send this email re: party date?

[MamOfTwo]

Booked a party for DC in Reception. Just realised two other children's birthdays are very close to hers. Should I send a friendly email to their parents to say something along the lines of 'I am holding a party for DC on this date - really hope it doesn't clash with anything you may be planning!'? Or will I look like a loon? Don't know the mums that well but am planning to invite their DC to party. I thought it might be courteous but don't want it to look like I have 'reserved' the date and am forbidding them from doing anything on that date too! It's too early to give out invites yet. Thoughts?

Depends what sort of party you are planning but if it was me and it was a village hall or soft play-type affair, I'd see if they wanted to make it a joint do.

Can you send an email telling them to save the date as they're invited, rather than bagsying the date?

Ooh yes, what Barry said. ^

I think it would be ok to send something along the lines of "I'm just about to book a venue for X's party. Before I make the booking I just want to make sure it won't clash with any plans you might be making for your child's party. Could you text back by the end of tomorrow if you would rather I picked a different day. Thanks, MamOfTwo"

I had a party clash last year with DD's party and another girl in her class, exactly the same time in a different venue. Fortunately the other mother was inviting all girls only so I invited all the boys instead (DD plays with the boys more than the girls so she was happy enough).

Could you just send the invitations out now, so everybody knows? Sounds like you are quite sorted with the planning - you know what's happening when. I've had invitations months and months in advance for children's parties, possibly for similar reasons - it was never a problem.