Birthday Party Invitation Wording Help Needed

[becka]

DS is having his 4th birthday party at a Chuck E. Cheese next month. He wants to invite the kids from his preschool class (8 kids). I do not know any of the other parents. The only time I see them is for maybe a minute or so at drop-off and pick-up.

I can’t imagine parents leaving a 3 or 4 year old by themselves at such a party but I have heard enough stories here to realize that it is possible. How do I word the invitation so that I can request that at least one parent must stay with their child at the party? I also do not want them to feel obligated to bring a gift. How do I word that on the invitation as well? I was planning on using themed pre-printed invitations (they kind where you just fill in the who, where, why, etc.) so I don’t have a lot of extra space to write.

Thanks!

 

[TEENEE]

How about, little Johnny and an adult are invited to CEC...

No ideas on the wording for no gifts yet.

 

[JKMastalski]

I would put an asterick at the bottom of the invitation and put something like:

*Please plan on at least one parent attending the party with your child

Your child's attendence is present enough, no gifts please.

 

[Minnie824]

I would put an asterick at the bottom of the invitation and put something like:

*Please plan on at least one parent attending the party with your child

I agree with this. I've seen plenty of invites w/little notes, especially for younger children. How does you DS feel about the no gift thing? Is he aware? I would make sure he won't be disappointed in this prior to the note. I personally, even if it said no gifts, would bring something for my DD to give. I wouldn't feel right taking her to a party and not bringing something.

 

[poohluvrs]

DS is having his 4th birthday party at a Chuck E. Cheese next month. He wants to invite the kids from his preschool class (8 kids). I do not know any of the other parents. The only time I see them is for maybe a minute or so at drop-off and pick-up.

I can’t imagine parents leaving a 3 or 4 year old by themselves at such a party but I have heard enough stories here to realize that it is possible. How do I word the invitation so that I can request that at least one parent must stay with their child at the party? I also do not want them to feel obligated to bring a gift. How do I word that on the invitation as well? I was planning on using themed pre-printed invitations (they kind where you just fill in the who, where, why, etc.) so I don’t have a lot of extra space to write.

Thanks!

My girls turned 3 & their entire class (15 kids) came for the party, & every single parent stayed! Many kids wont want their parent to leave at the preschool age anyway, I can almost guarantee parents of a 4 yr old are likely going to stay anyway! Find out when they call to rsvp who's likely to stay if youre worried.

 

[poohluvrs]

Oops, missed the no gift thing - why do you feel that way? I think that will make everyone feel awkward & wouldnt do it, unless theres a charity or something the attendees can donate to on your sons behalf. Personally, I would feel very uncomfortable going to a party w/ no gift, esp a 4yr old - thats the most fun part of the party for them! Has he been bad?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

DD5 and DS4 have been in full time day care since they were both 2, and we've been invited to PLENTY of parties. I don't think that its ever been on the invite for the parent to come (including my own). I think that at that age, its a "given", parent/s are going to come. I never put it on my invites. Just remember, you have to feed the parents too /end emily post channelling/

ETA about the gift thing - I think OP was saying she didn't want the parents to have to get a better gift because they too are attending.....I THINK? OP?

 

[poohluvrs]

DD5 and DS4 have been in full time day care since they were both 2, and we've been invited to PLENTY of parties. I don't think that its ever been on the invite for the parent to come (including my own). I think that at that age, its a "given", parent/s are going to come. I never put it on my invites. Just remember, you have to feed the parents too /end emily post channelling/

ETA about the gift thing - I think OP was saying she didn't want the parents to have to get a better gift because they too are attending.....I THINK? OP?

Just a note on this, I fed the 15 kids pizza & cake, I also got Panera sandwiches for the adults (also had family there) NONE of the Moms expected lunch & were shocked when we forced them over to get a sandwich & cake! I personally would NOT expect to be fed when taking my preschoolers to a kiddie party! Do what fits your budget.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Just a note on this, I fed the 15 kids pizza & cake, I also got Panera sandwiches for the adults (also had family there) NONE of the Moms expected lunch & were shocked when we forced them over to get a sandwich & cake! I personally would NOT expect to be fed when taking my preschoolers to a kiddie party! Do what fits your budget.

I agree that you need to do what fits your budget - but I have never been to a child's b-day party where the parents were not offered anything. I know SPEAKING FOR MYSELF here - it is not in my psyche to allow anyone not to eat at an party/function I am hosting. (Must be the Italian in me) IMO when planning a child's party, the parents of the guest are part of the budget.

 

[becka]

Thanks for the replies. I really could not imagine a parent not staying (and yes we will feed the parents ) for kids this young but we have all heard the stories and I just really didn't want to cause myself any problems.

The whole gift thing was just really me trying to be polite I guess. DS will have lots of gifts for his birthday (he always seems to get millions from relatives, good friends, etc.) and I really didn't want anyone to feel obligated to bring a gift. I fully expect that most people will bring a gift and that is fine but I didn't want someone to not come because they may not have the resources to bring a gift...does that make sense?

This whole birthday party thing is starting to drive my

 

[ntburns22]

We did the no gift thing for DD's (6) past kid party. We asked for donations to the local food bank. Most of of the kids brought a donation and a gift for her. It was her idea since it is nextdoor to her dance studio.

We said something like---Please bring a gift, but not for me. A canned good would be perfect you see. It is my birthday wish to fill the foodbank's list.

 

[poohluvrs]

I agree that you need to do what fits your budget - but I have never been to a child's b-day party where the parents were not offered anything. I know SPEAKING FOR MYSELF here - it is not in my psyche to allow anyone not to eat at an party/function I am hosting. (Must be the Italian in me) IMO when planning a child's party, the parents of the guest are part of the budget.

ITA! I married into an large italian family! However, I wouldnt expect it as a guest.

 

[Jynohn]

I'm glad you posted this question because I was just going to post a similar question myself today! My dd is 6 and starting to get a lot of invitations to birthday parties. I never know if it's appropriate for me to stay or not. It seems like half the moms stay, and half of them leave. The only problem is the one's that stay seem to be close friends with the hosting mom, and I never know if I'm intruding by staying, or if I'm being rude by leaving!

When I was a kid, I remember my mom always dropping me off at parties, none of the moms ever stayed. It seems like it's different now. So what is appropriate for school age kids? Do you stay or do you go???

 

[poohluvrs]

We said something like---Please bring a gift, but not for me. A canned good would be perfect you see. It is my birthday wish to fill the foodbank's list.

Love that!

 

[poohluvrs]

I'm glad you posted this question because I was just going to post a similar question myself today! My dd is 6 and starting to get a lot of invitations to birthday parties. I never know if it's appropriate for me to stay or not. It seems like half the moms stay, and half of them leave. The only problem is the one's that stay seem to be close friends with the hosting mom, and I never know if I'm intruding by staying, or if I'm being rude by leaving!

When I was a kid, I remember my mom always dropping me off at parties, none of the moms ever stayed. It seems like it's different now. So what is appropriate for school age kids? Do you stay or do you go???

I would say depends on the kid at @ age 6! If I was the host, I think it would be easier if the parents left, then you could focus on just the kids!

 

[mom2boys]

...I never know if it's appropriate for me to stay or not. It seems like half the moms stay, and half of them leave. The only problem is the one's that stay seem to be close friends with the hosting mom, and I never know if I'm intruding by staying, or if I'm being rude by leaving!...
QUOTE]
When my kids were 5 & 6 the mom's stayed. Everyone was friendly towards one another. That's how we got to know one another. I'm not the most outgoing person, but I never felt uncomfortable. Besides even at 6, there are too many for one set of parents to watch. If in a public place, I never expected the hosts to pay for me. I might quietly go to the counter & purchase a diet coke for myself while the kids were eating.

 

[cats mom]

For a 4 year old party at Chuck E Cheese I'd bring a gift even if the invitation stated they were not necessary and would feel funny sending my child without one.

For older kids I think asking for some type of donation to go to charity in lieu of gifts is fine (and we have done that) but I think most people are not comfortable attending a party without bringing something.

There are some very inexpensive B-day gift options out there if finances are tight for someone on your guest list and the child will probaly feel better bringing a little something than coming empty handed.

Not sure how to word the parent thing. I would think at that age most would stay anyway, but you're right, there's always an exception.
Of course you could also get the parent who stays, but might as well not since they don't supervise their child anyway.
Sorry, my bad... but it does happen.

Don't stress too much about all the details. Most folks are pretty aware of how a Chuck E Cheese party works.
I've been to some where parents are included and food/ drinks are provided for them and others where parents are on their own. Either way is fine. The party is about the kids.

I'm sure your DS will have a great time with his friends!