When you enter the world of parenthood, you unexpectedly join a network of individuals who share a significant bond. This connection can sometimes feel like a lifeline, offering support and camaraderie. However, there are moments when you might wish for an escape from it all.
A recent article in a UK publication criticized parents who cause “party planning panic” by neglecting to RSVP for their child’s birthday celebration. Is it really that serious? Are we talking about a panic because one mom ended up with an extra piñata stick or too many cupcakes? Yes, planning a birthday party can be chaotic and overwhelming, but treating it like a formal event is unnecessary.
If you can’t make it to a party because you have other commitments or are simply out of town, it is indeed courteous to respond to an invitation. But let’s be real—things can slip your mind, especially if you don’t know the host well. In preschool and kindergarten, everyone seems to get invited to every party, regardless of whether the kids even know each other. No one wants to be responsible for making a child feel excluded, so invitations go out to everyone in the class.
Just because our little ones need to learn about kindness and inclusion doesn’t mean we, as adults, have the bandwidth for that. You expect me to call you? Not a chance—I barely even call my own family!
The writer of the original article absurdly equates a child’s birthday party to a meticulously planned wedding. “You wouldn’t just show up at a wedding expecting food and favors without RSVPing,” they argue. Well, no, because weddings cost a fortune, and unclaimed plates can lead to significant losses for the couple. Comparing your kid’s “ice cream cake on a paper plate at Chuck E. Cheese” to a wedding is a stretch.
So consider this my polite way of saying that I won’t be attending your festivities any longer.
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In summary, while RSVPing can hold some importance, the reality is that life as a parent can be hectic, and sometimes things get overlooked. It’s okay to not take every invitation too seriously, especially when it comes to children’s parties.