I feel silly even posting this, but here's my problem: My 1st-grade son has a lot of friends and has been invited to a lot of birthday parties recently. We have a tiny house and a small budget and cannot afford to take 20-odd kids out for pizza or similar. So when my son turned 7 at the beginning of this month, we told him he could invite 2 friends out for a movie, which he did, and we all had a good time.
But I am getting weird looks from some of the parents of kids who weren't asked, especially those whose kids' parties my son went to. I think they may think they were snubbed, which is not the case! We're just broke and have a small house! Is there any diplomatic way to make things clear without making a bigger problem out of a small one? I had no idea that this kind of thing would become an issue when my son just turned 7!! Has anyone been in a similar situation, and what did you do? Thanks.
2006-11-22 13:04:43 · 3 answers · asked by Leslie D 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
That is one of the reasons that at schools where I have worked we asked parents to not distribute birthday party invitations at school. Another problem we have seen is a family inviting everyone to the party and no one showing up - this was a child who had a disability. Are you sure though that you are really getting weird looks, or is it a bit of your imagination because you feel uncomfortable about it?
This is a very young start to "keeping up with the Joneses" and I know it is very difficult. About the only thing you can do is explain it to your son if he is having any difficulty about it. If he is ok with it I would ignore the looks of the parents. Be pleasant to them of course, but you are under no obligation to take his whole class to his birthday celebration, nor are you under any obligation to explain to the parents. I would assume your son brought a gift to each birthday party? If so, obligation has been met. The one issue that might arise is that your son may receive fewer invitations. If that happens, deal with that issue with him if it is a problem for him. I'd just go about my life and not worry too much about it unless it begins to adversely affect your son.
I hope all works out well.
2006-11-22 13:23:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm wealthy now, but at that stage of life, I was poor, too. And we had 3 kids.
Rather than "go out" to a movie or bowling or some type of "event," why not just invite all his friends over and play some games like pin the tail on the donkey? Or watch a movie on the DVD or VCR?
Then serve them all some cake and ice cream. The kids will be fine with this.
2006-11-22 21:14:13 · answer #2 · answered by Carlos R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to "Desperate Schoolmoms"! ;)
There is nothing you need to do about the situation unless one of the moms actually asks you. While inviting everybody is the politically correct thing to do, it just doesn't make sense and kind of ruins the whole feeling of specialness when it's everybody and not just your favourite people.
Just accept that they have a different view of it and know that your stance was just fine, that you have no need to defend yourself.
2006-11-22 21:46:05 · answer #3 · answered by glurpy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋