Birthday Party, people are just rude

[DisneyScraps]

I just had a birthdy party for my DD last night.

I sent out hand made invitations we spent hour making 2 weeks before the party. I asked for an RSVP by a certian date. I really needed a firm count of how many kids we were having.

We invited 25 kids. I got FOUR responses. Yup FOR RSVPs. So I had to dig up phone numbers and call everyone. I had one parent I couldn't reach and left her a message, she never called me back.

Of the kids that said they were coming, 4 didn't show. No call about that either. I get that things come up but they all had my phone number.

On the party date of the 15 that were supposed to come....only ONE arrived on time. Ten minutes after the party ws supposed to start I started to get nervous there was only one kid there. Most trickled in 15-20 minutes late. One was almost an hour late.

One kid called 15 minutes before the party and asked if she could bring a friend. I said sure....she brought TWO.

Never again. This party was different because DD got to pick who went and we invited kids I didn't know. I think in the future we will go back to inviting people we know.

My DD had a great time and said it was the best party ever, so that was all that matters but I still have to just shake my head at the rudness of some people.

Lisa

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

This is why I am going to try my best to persuade DD to do "alternative" things instead of birthday parties. This year we are going to AG Place for lunch and she could pick out her gift there.

But I heard this before on this DIS, it seems all too common nowadays. DD was invited to a birthday the 1st week of school, I didn't even know the child or the parents. We couldn't come, it was an hour away and early in the morning and I knew DD wouldn't be up and out on time so the parent left the e-mail on the RSVP and I sent an e-mail over, she got back to me the next day to let me know she received the e-mail.

Its just common courtesy and sadly it not that common anymore.

 

[1stluvispooh]

Had that happen several times! So we went to invite your BFF or two and we will do something wonderful. Something that we couldn't afford to do with 25 kids. Like a overnight at Great Wolf Lodge

 

[mouseforcemom]

We had something similar happen the last time we had a birthday party for my eldest son. At Chuck E Cheese and 90% of the parents just dropped them off and said, "I have errands! Gotta run." and left. Erm, 20+ kids, 2 of us, we made it through but it was a nightmare trying to keep tabs on everyone. NEVER AGAIN!

This year our oldest can invite 2 or 3 of his closest friends and we will treat them to dinner, miniature golf, laser tag, and a movie. Less cost and he really enjoys his time and it's less stress.

 

[dancin'girl]

I just had a Halloween party yesterday. Had to call most of the people to find out it they were coming. Then only one guest arrived on time. The rest arrived 20-30 minutes late. I had BINGO cards made up and a spider craft that we never even got to because we ran out of time. I had planned on a two hour party, but really ended up with only an hour and a half to fit stuff in. I'm not surprised about it anymore. I know that the one time I don't have enough stuff prepared to do - that will be the time that I will need it!

 

[Becky2005]

We had something similar happen the last time we had a birthday party for my eldest son. At Chuck E Cheese and 90% of the parents just dropped them off and said, "I have errands! Gotta run." and left. Erm, 20+ kids, 2 of us, we made it through but it was a nightmare trying to keep tabs on everyone.

Drop off is the norm around here. It would also depend on the age but around here, we just assume the parents will drop off & run. You would hear the opposite complaint from posters in my neighborhood. I planned a party & the parents stayed -- I didn't plan on them staying so had wasn't sure if I was supposed to provide them with food, etc... (that type of venting).

Luckily, most of my kids have aged out of big group parties. I'm just on my last one to go through grade school & my boys never really seem to be big party people anyway. Usually they only want 2 or 3 people.

 

[LisaNJ25]

People are just rude. I have delt with that also but its usually with close friend. Have to love having it at a bowling alley and people showing up 45 minutes late when the bowling time is over. Birthdays parties are not cheap.

My 4 kids birthday go from 8/19-10/3. Three of them are between 8/19 and 9/1. I have gotten lucky when I have never invited the whole class since school hasnt started yet. I also felt bad about handing out invitations for my now 18yo who has the 10/3 birthday since school just started. So we stuck to only friends.

I am not the most punctual person.. but when its a timed even I make it there on time. I wouldnt dream of bringing additional kids.

 

[mouseforcemom]

Drop off is the norm around here. It would also depend on the age but around here, we just assume the parents will drop off & run. You would hear the opposite complaint from posters in my neighborhood. I planned a party & the parents stayed -- I didn't plan on them staying so had wasn't sure if I was supposed to provide them with food, etc... (that type of venting).

Luckily, most of my kids have aged out of big group parties. I'm just on my last one to go through grade school & my boys never really seem to be big party people anyway. Usually they only want 2 or 3 people.

I think the issue was this was the first time we had encountered it. Normally with the parties we had before he turned 6 it was (and it continued to be) parents are more than welcome to stay. We usually did. I guess I thought, and maybe incorrectly, that Kindergarten was a bit young to be dropped off.

 

[Becky2005]

I think the issue was this was the first time we had encountered it. Normally with the parties we had before he turned 6 it was (and it continued to be) parents are more than welcome to stay. We usually did. I guess I thought, and maybe incorrectly, that Kindergarten was a bit young to be dropped off.

I wasn't sure of the age but yes, Kindergarten is when they drop & run around here. Prechool that would be unusual to drop & run but once they hit grade school only once have I had a parent want to stay. Of course, I've had the opposite problem with a "minimum of 10 kids" needed and only have something like 4 -- so I start begging siblings to stay, especially if they are close to my other kids ages.

I've had the gamut of different types of parties...I've pretty much learned that I never have a clue what is going to happen when I throw one.

Of course, it could be like I did for my littlest guy recently, just call the parents up on Wed. ask if they are busy on Saturday and see if they want to come over for a party. Nothing like last minute. It was basically more a play date with cupcakes & balloons than a big party.

 

[mouseforcemom]

He was our eldest so it was our first encounter with it. So we learned and adapted as I posted above. No blanket invites unless they are at our home from now on.

 

[momof1princess]

i've encountered a wide range of rude behavior throughout DD's 13 years of birthday parties. this year we gave up, and just went somewhere special for her birthday (hilton head island with in-laws) then did a small party with my family (hot dogs, ice cream and cake). next year i may let her take her closest friend to a nearby spa for mani/pedi's and facials. or perhaps her dad and i will take the weekend off and take her somewhere special. it probably won't be along until she doesn't want to hang out with us anymore, lol.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I've bore witness to other people doing that as well. I'm sorry it happened to you. I remember when I was young, my mom would just take me somewhere special with a few close friends.