Do you pay for your children to attend Birthday Parties?

[eatatmidnight]

My daughter has been invited to a family members 13th birthday party. She was told it would only cost $10. I have been a mom for 17 years and have never heard of that one. If it were not a family member, she would not go. With my kids having over 15 cousins, we are not able to spend a great deal on each of them, so her gift will be $5-$10 in a nice handmade card.

Are we living a sheltered life or is this the standard? Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[mudman]

Nope, never hear of paying to attend to help someone celebrate their birthday.

Is it possible that the 13year old misunderstood that the cost per person was $10 for the host to pay, not the guests?

 

[yankeechick]

that is a new one for me also where is the party?

 

[snickerboo]

Heck, no! That's a new one!

 

[Disney_Freak56]

So they want you to pay to attend the party and still give a gift? Makes no sense to me. It's been a long time since my daughter attended birthday parties, but I have enough nieces and nephews to know that they've never been asked to pay to attend a party. When we/they have a party -- be it at a skating rink, bowling alley, etc., we always pay for the invitees -- not the other way around.

 

[MinnieForMe]

If she was invited then she is a free guest.

The only time I have ever paid is if one of my children was invited to a classmate's party and I have to bring my other two children. With the okay of the birthday child's parent, I have asked to pay for my other two to attend the playplace to play. They did not attend the birthday meal but have always been offered cake.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Family or not I would not be attending. If you have a party you are the host. Not me. I have never paid for my kids to attend a party. Personally I think that is so rude.

 

[autiger86]

Never....I have had adult birthday parties where you paid for your own dinner, but never a childs. Ridiculous.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Wow, that is really tacky! No, I wouldn't pay for my child to attend a birthday party.

 

[mommytoone]

I agree, family or not my DD would not go. I have never heard of such a thing. That is just absurd!! Maybe it was meant that the gift should not be over $10 That would be the only thing I can think of.

 

[rhiansmom]

My DD went to a mini-golf birthday party and I put $5 in her pocket for "treats" after they finished golfing (they have video games, candy, etc) when she came home she told me she didn't get to do any of that because the mom used her $5 to pay for her mini golf game! She said a couple of girls didn't bring money and they didn't get to play - just walked with them to each hole!!

 

[Donnask8pro]

My DD went to a mini-golf birthday party and I put $5 in her pocket for "treats" after they finished golfing (they have video games, candy, etc) when she came home she told me she didn't get to do any of that because the mom used her $5 to pay for her mini golf game! She said a couple of girls didn't bring money and they didn't get to play - just walked with them to each hole!!

Thats a disgrace..

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[eatatmidnight]

Is it possible that the 13year old misunderstood that the cost per person was $10 for the host to pay, not the guests?

I asked my mom about it since she sees them more and that's the way it is. It is at a Laser tag place.

 

[TnTWalter]

If you can't financially afford one of these themed parties, have cake [homemade] and icecream at your house with a big pitcher of homemade koolaid or lemonade. Play games....heck in the summer have them run in a sprinkler. No one has to do these golf, bounce, bowling, build a bear, whatever parties....and skip goodie bags...

I'm so tired of people doing these crazy elaborate parties. And the goodie bags anymore. My goodness.

That mom that didn't even inform people they had to pay for the mini-golf [putt putt] should be smacked. How rude to those girls.

Ugh.

OK....obviously struck a nerve. LOL.

 

[mudman]

I asked my mom about it since she sees them more and that's the way it is. It is at a Laser tag place.

That's just crazy. If they can't afford to treat their guests than maybe a home party is more appropriate.

 

[nena]

WOW!!!

I can't even imagine inviting someone to a party and expecting them to pay their way!!!

This year DS10 had a sleep over with 3 friends. the next day we took them to the movies. One of the moms stopped by in the morning very embaressed that she had not given me money for the movies (handing me $20). I said, "Oh, NO. The movies are part of the Birthday Party". Then she said, "Oh, well I am sure he will want something to eat". I said, "I already bought them candy to take, and I will be getting them hot dogs, popcorn and soda for lunch". She was quite shocked that it was all included in the BIRTHDAY PARTY!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Family or not I would not be attending. If you have a party you are the host. Not me. I have never paid for my kids to attend a party. Personally I think that is so rude.

ITA with every word.

The putt putt mom is out there too. My child would never attend another of her parties. Period.

 

[LilGMom]

If you can't financially afford one of these themed parties, have cake [homemade] and icecream at your house with a big pitcher of homemade koolaid or lemonade. Play games....heck in the summer have them run in a sprinkler. No one has to do these golf, bounce, bowling, build a bear, whatever parties....and skip goodie bags...

I'm so tired of people doing these crazy elaborate parties. And the goodie bags anymore. My goodness.

That mom that didn't even inform people they had to pay for the mini-golf [putt putt] should be smacked. How rude to those girls.

Ugh.

OK....obviously struck a nerve. LOL.

I agree 110%. We would never think to invite someone to a party, assume that they are bringing a gift and ask them to pay to attend the party. If the host/hostess can not afford to pay for the guests than they should not have a party that elaborate and have something that is within their budget.

We were invited a friend's child's birthday party where we were told that we would be paying our way. We politely declined the invitation. Of course this came from the same people that when they got married demanded that their entire wedding party ride the limo from the ceremony to the reception and they we (the wedding party) were told we each had to chip in $10 for the limo.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

My DD went to a mini-golf birthday party and I put $5 in her pocket for "treats" after they finished golfing (they have video games, candy, etc) when she came home she told me she didn't get to do any of that because the mom used her $5 to pay for her mini golf game! She said a couple of girls didn't bring money and they didn't get to play - just walked with them to each hole!!

Let me tell you something...that Mom would have gotten a not-so-nice phone call from me... Imagine those poor girls who couldn't play!!!!

I totally agree with the PP...money was tight this past year..DD6 wanted her friends over to celebrate...I baked a 'ladybug' cake. Served 'decorate your own mini pizzas. We did a little craft (bought the stuff at the dollar store). Played pin the bee on the flower (dd & I made the stuff for the game) and then let the kids play. She loved it and it cost very little. I would be mortified to think of 'charging' a family to come & celebrate with us!