I have three kids; that’s a LOT of kids’ parties. With number three in Reception class, I have adopted a very laissez-faire approach to parties of any kind and the glimpse of an unexpected envelope in the book-bag makes my heart sink a little.
Except they’re rarely in the book bag anymore, they’re via email where you can’t escape them. There’s no false claims of loss or non-arrival – it’s there, in your inbox, awaiting an RSVP.
Recently, I have been subjected to something even worse: Save the Date emails.
Bunnikins is having a party in seven months time, so can you Save the Date? (subtext: your child better f**king be there or I will stalk you and bad-mouth your name in the playground and everyone will KNOW what a crap mother you are).
Is it just me or is asking me to save the date for a child’s party somewhat OTT? Actually, I think it’s bloody rude. I can hardly say, ‘No, I won’t save the date because something better might come along’ or ‘Actually, I am so tired of ferrying my kids to parties every weekend my child won’t be coming and we shall be at home instead, doing nothing of any substance’. I don’t WANT to save the date, thank you very much. This is not a wedding or some once-in-a-lifetime occasion. It is a kid’s party.
My daughter turned 10 recently and I offered her a party or £100 cash to spend as she pleases. She took the cash. It was the cheaper and easier option for me and she got to buy a pile of sparkly crap from Claire’s and enough stationery to furnish a new Ryman’s store. It was a win-win situation:
- No invitations to send
- No RSVPs to collate
- No hall to book
- No entertainment to organise
- No food to prepare
- No party bags to fill
- No clearing up
- No thank yous to write
- No second-mortgage to take out…
She was happy. I was happy. In fact her siblings have also expressed a wish to do the same, which suits me fine.
You may think me more of a party-pooper than a party-popper, but, for me, the stress and expense is just not worth the hastily forgotten two hours of mayhem and (usually) tears.
Incidentally, it is my birthday today and I’m not having a party either. Might have a spend-up at the weekend though ;-)
8 Responses to “Party Politics”
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Happy birthday Sarah!!! Hope you get to have a few moments to yourself this evening. That’s my idea of a perfect birthday these days! Have a gooden. xoxo
Maddie Sinclair recently posted…Become a Friend of Brighton Fringe
Thanks, Maddie! x
I would love not to do a party. I get stressed out from beginning to end. We have the opposite problem – they all come to my
kids parties but mine don’t get invited to other people’s. In some ways it’s good as like you said weekends would be eaten up, but I feel a bit sad that they don’t get many invites. And save the dates. Really? If it was their best friend I could kind of understand them saying, but really? Hope you’ve had a lovely birthday x
Louise recently posted…T-Rex Terror Review and Giveaway
Yes…really. And, thank you – I had a great birthday this year :-)
Happy Birthday! We’re in the thick of birthday party hell with the kids right now at ages 5 and 2 (well, still to come for the 2 yr old) added to which it’s both of our 40ths this year and my husband is insistent on having a massive party at our house in the summer. I am literally losing sleep over it already. I may have to offer him a cash alternative…. Hope you have a lovely day. x
Heh heh…
The massive party sounds good to me! I don’t mind adult versions ;-)
Ha! I agree, save the date for kids’ party does seem a bit unnecessary.
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY (belatedly) xxx
Knackered Mother recently posted…Wine Lust
I LOVE this Sarah. Why have I never thought of offering my kids £100 instead of a party?! Such ridiculousness all this ‘save the date’ malarkey. What if your child just doesn’t like the person who has invited them? Bit arrogant I think. Hope you’ve had a great spend up! X
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