Birthday Party Advice

[scrapquitler]

I would always invite the siblings of the invited guest if they were pretty close in age. I wouldn't invite them if they were 12 or 13 going to a 7 yr old's birthday party.

I would not have dropped off my 6 or 7 yr old kid, no. I didn't drop mine off when they were 9. I don't leave my kids in the care of others, especially when they have 10 or 15 other kids to keep up with. But that's just me.

I would NOT drop my 6 or 7 year old off for this party (nor at any birthday party, actually). However, I WOULD pay for my own movie ticket.

If I had siblings, I MIGHT bring those children and pay for their tickets (and sit away from the party group) at the theater so they could see the movie. I would keep them out of the party room.

 

[tlbwriter]

Word the invite that "jane is invited to (blanks) B-day party. movie ticket, soda and popcorn will be provided as well as cake. If you choose to stay, the price of the movie is $7 for adults and $6 for additional children.

Hopefully by addressing the price of other tickets they will see that their ticket as well as other children are their responsibility!

I like this. And I wouldn't invite other siblings just because they're there.

 

[jrmasm]

I did this party for my DD in March. It was her 7th birthday. The invitations went to all the girls in her class and were addressed to the child. One family dropped off their guest and went to a different movie. One mother showed up, got in my face and loudly told me that SHE WOULD NOT BE LEAVING HER DAUGHTER! SHE NEVER LEFT HER DAUGHTER! SHE WAS VERY PROTECTIVE AND SHE DIDN'T KNOW ME! Just like that. Her behavior was ridiculous. When she said she'd buy her own ticket so I told her to go ahead. I don't think she expected that response. And then she insisted on sitting next to her daughter in the theater.

Now before anyone one gets excited, I didn't have a problem with her staying but she could have mentioned it when she rsvp'd or at the very least, quietly when she showed up. She looked like a fool shouting at me in the lobby.

Other than that, things went smoothly and most families seemed comfortable. We had two adults and 2 15 year olds to watch about 12 7 year olds.

And the kids had fun.

 

[Robbie11]

Try to make your kids birthday memorable. They love their birthday being celebrated.Try some innovative ideas and fancy invitations.It is your personal decision to invite the guests.

 

[Disney Doll]

Someone I know JUST did this about a month ago with this exact age group. From her experience, I just want to tell you that you should NOT hope that people will not show up with the whole family. You will need to be very explicit about what you are providing. It seems like common sense not to assume someone is willing to pay for ALL your kids to go, but she had more than one family show up and expect their entire family to be paid for by the birthday mom. Another friend awhile back had a few families who wanted to drop their younger children off as well, and leave them to be watched (AND paid for) by the birthday mom.

It is FINE to be explicit about who is and who is not paid for, and I strongly urge you to do exactly that. I would word the invitations something like "We have arranged to have plenty of supervision so that you can feel free to drop off your child for the party. Parents and/or siblings are welcome to join us at the parents' expense, but we ask that if you are bringing younger siblings along you stay and supervise them, so that we may ensure the safety all party-goers."

I don't drop my 7 year old off, but most people would probably be fine with that, especially if they/their kids already know you from school functions.

The bolded is a good way to word it.

 

[CurlyGirl]

Word the invite that "jane is invited to (blanks) B-day party. movie ticket, soda and popcorn will be provided as well as cake. If you choose to stay, the price of the movie is $7 for adults and $6 for additional children.

Hopefully by addressing the price of other tickets they will see that their ticket as well as other children are their responsibility!

^^ This! ^^

 

[Carly_Roach]

I did this party for my DD in March. It was her 7th birthday. The invitations went to all the girls in her class and were addressed to the child. One family dropped off their guest and went to a different movie. One mother showed up, got in my face and loudly told me that SHE WOULD NOT BE LEAVING HER DAUGHTER! SHE NEVER LEFT HER DAUGHTER! SHE WAS VERY PROTECTIVE AND SHE DIDN'T KNOW ME! Just like that. Her behavior was ridiculous. When she said she'd buy her own ticket so I told her to go ahead. I don't think she expected that response. And then she insisted on sitting next to her daughter in the theater.

We never have the forethought at times like those to come up with a snappy comeback. It's only later that we think of the real zingers such as:

"Hey! I'm jrmasm! What's your DIS name?"

​

 

[luvmy3]

It depends on where the party is whether or not I'd drop off my 7 year old, for a movie theater party I would. I would probably stay near though

 

[3prettyprincesses]

We did a movie theater party for my oldest DD when she was eight. I specifically asked two moms of the invited girls to help chaperone since I was close with them anyway. When I booked the party, they gave me two extra adult tickets for free so I used those for the chaperones and paid for my own.

Anyhow, it went perfectly well and all of the moms were comfortable leaving their DD's. I did state in the invitation they were welcome to stay if they'd like and that the discounted rate was $x.xx. Honestly, whenever I send out invitations I list out specifically what we're doing, where and at what times. I know that I appreciate that kind of information when my DD's receive b-day invites and it helps to alleviate any confusion. There have been invitations received that were so ambiguous that I had to call for clarity!

I'd probably feel comfortable leaving my seven year old if I knew the family well. If not, I'd most likely hang around close by or offer to chaperone and pay my own way.

OP, have a great time! It sounds like it will be a fabulous party! My DD's are begging to see the Smurfs movie, good thing I'm a child of the 80's and don't mind going too!