So what do you do when NO ONE can come to

[Deleted]

your kid's birthday party? She is turning 7. Birthdays are a BIG DEAL at 7, and only 2 kids can go, none of which she considers her BFFs. I'm thinking I have to reschedule and find a weekend that will work for most of everyone. I don't care if a few can't make it but 2 kids is not much of a party, especially at a skating rink.

We usually invite a couple of families to come and stay at the beach if they can but this year she wanted an actual party. And without a classroom of kids to invite during a summer birthday it's hard to rally a group at this age. I'm stressed. Sangria has all of the answers.

[Deleted]

Either move the date or bring the kids to an amusement/water park. Little more $ but not many kids to cover for.

I hope she has a good birthday.

[indianchica]

I would let them pick a restaurant and sit by themselves at a booth acting all grown up. (While you guys are two tables away.) I loved this.

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

Next year, can you have a party at half birthday? I think that's what I'm going to do for my summer baby once she starts school.

[4speedy]

My birthday is in August., sometimes falling on Labor Day weekend. My mom always planned my parties for mid to late September because everyone was always on vacation for my actual birthday. It never bothered me a bit. I say reschedule.

[dowagercountess]

P's birthday is 7/31. We're having her party 8/30 for this reason. We are going to do a dinner and mini golf or something on her bday.

[lolobeth802]

I would reschedule too. Summer birthdays are hard

[jeaniebueller]

I would only hesitate to reschedule because a different weekend may not be better and what if it's a conflict for the other two kids who did RSVP and are looking forward to the party? Why can't the 3 kids go skating still and then you could take them out to eat or something else fun after?

[sofamonkey]

Jul 24, 2014 17:16:18 GMT -5 Ohhmm(bligo) said:

Next year, can you have a party at half birthday? I think that's what I'm going to do for my summer baby once she starts school.

Ha!  I laugh at this only because people suggest a half bday party for my December kid!  You just cannot win. 

[Deleted]

Jul 24, 2014 17:22:47 GMT -5 TR said:

I had a birthday party once that only one friend could come to. At a skating rink.

My heart just broke reading this.  </3 That's the kind of thing you don't forget.

[Deleted]

Jul 24, 2014 17:21:21 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

I would only hesitate to reschedule because a different weekend may not be better and what if it's a conflict for the other two kids who did RSVP and are looking forward to the party? Why can't the 3 kids go skating still and then you could take them out to eat or something else fun after?

The problem is one of the kids is half her age and the other is someone she is not as close to. While she enjoys her company they don't spend time together as often as the ones that can't make it. Mia is the type that would have fun with anyone no matter what as long as they weren't a pain in her ass, but I feel bad that none of her closest friends can go.

[katfco]

I'd give her the option. Let her know that this date didn't work for some people and that she can choose to stick with this or try for a later date. Maybe find something a little more expensive/fancy if she wants to go ahead with it.

I was afraid we were going to have this problem this year. Abby's birthday is the week after school lets out and she's not overly close to many kids in her class, so I was worried about RSVPs and such (2 years ago we even had 2 people who RSVPed and still didn't show). Fortunately, she was cool with taking a family hiking trip instead.

[WOT?*]

Fancy spa day. You can really do it up with only a couple kids.
But I'd ask her what she wants to do. Reschedule or upgrade.

[KKD]

Oh, man, that sucks. Poor M.

E's birthday was right after Thanksgiving last year, so I contacted two of her favorite friends' moms (with whom I am also friends) to make sure at least they could make it that weekend.

If you want to reschedule, can you do the same with M's best friends? Or maybe keep the date but bring the two friends to a movie instead of a skating party? We did a movie party for E's 6th birthday and had five of her friends and then walked to get frozen yogurt afterwards – it was so easy, and they all loved it!

E had to miss her BFF's birthday at the end of June because we were away on vacation, and she was super bummed when she found out she missed it. K has to miss her friend's party in late August because we'll be away again. I feel bad even saying no because I know how hard it is with summer birthdays!

[dragonfly08]

This happened when #2 turned 5. With a birthday the last week of summer, almost everyone ended up being on one last vacation. So I cancelled and rescheduled for a month later. We ended up with 100% attendance and it was a great party.

[cinnamoncox]

What does your dd want to do? My girls bday was over Fourth of July weekend, so I feel ya, I do.
I posted about it here actually.
Mine turned four so too young to get input so we just had the party and turn out wasn't too bad (1 friend but about 15 family).

If I were you I would ask your daughter what she wants and go from there.
Summer does suck because there doesn't seem to be any 1 weekend that's good for everyone. Someone's always away or busy.
I'm sorry, it stinks. Good luck.

Eta: happy 7th bday vino's dd!

[ProfessorArtNerd]

Happy birthday, Mia!

Lucy's birthday is usually over Memorial Day weekend, smack in the middle of dance recital season. Something similar happened last year, so now I know to check with her current best friends to make sure they can go.

[thebreakfastclub]

Maybe call the moms of 2-3 closest friends and try to find a Fri night that works for dinner at Red Robin or somewhere like that? Might be easier to find time for that vs a full-fledged party.

[cuddlyevil]

Move the date or change the party location (if possible).

[readyin07]

I say reschedule!

[jinkies]

We are having the same problem, only it's for my grandmother's 90th. Everyone we have invited is just like *shrug* can't come, summer's hard.

I know it's different for old people than with kids, but we basically just decided to go with the date that we could get least pathetic turnout and are just rolling with it.

For your daughter, Id maybe float a few dates to her best friends, and try to reach a consensus on the best time, then plan a special afternoon with that group-- movie, meal at a fun restaurant, skating, whatever.

I would probably cancel the skate party with 2 kids.

[RoxMonster]

I would say do something bigger with the two that can come.

Would you be OK with doing something else at a later date with more kids as well? Like even just having a bunch of friends meet at a park for a play date to "celebrate her birthday" and get a cake from the store?

I get it totally and completely sucks that only two people can RSVP and those people aren't her good friends. But I'm trying to think of it from those kids' perspectives. If you called and said, "Not many people could make it, so we are rescheduling," that might make them feel crappy too.

So my opinion is to do something really nice with just the three of them, and then possibly see about having a bigger get-together later with the other kids that couldn't make it this time.

ETA: And to be fair, I am probably biased, but I have been the friend that was canceled on more than once because "not many people can make it." And as much as it sucks that not a ton of people can make your party, it sucks just as much to feel like you're not good enough or fun enough to hang out with just by yourself. So I can see it from both sides.

[Amy]

G has a July bday, I text with his 3-4 bffs moms and find a day that works for everyone (or most) before I plan the party bc I'm afraid of this. I'd move the party

[Deleted]

Crisis averted. Moved the party to the following weekend and most everyone can attend now. I can breathe now.