Honest Answers Re: Daycare Birthday Parties

she's not inviting you just because of the policy -- I assume the policy means you can't waltz in and hand out 4 invitations in front of 20 other kids who aren't invited. If she wanted to get around it she could have personally invited a few of the kids with an invitation mailed to a home address. Assume that the invitation was genuine and go, meet and mingle and have fun!

It's REALLY easy only to invite certain kids from daycare; you just invite them at drop off or pickup (or phone or email). If they sent out invitations to everyone, they're the kind of family who likes big parties/getting to know people. Go. Have fun. :)

I think they are inviting, because they want to!! Most parents appreciate knowing other parents and kiddos in the class. Take the opportunity to get to know some folks, make some friends, and have a great time!

I would definitely go, and have a blast! I didn't know too many moms in my sons preschool class, but this was a great time to get to know them better. It's also a great chance for your daughter to play with her school friends in a not so structured setting. If she didn't want you there, or couldn't afford it or something, she wouldn't have invited everyone.

Reading way too much into it. Go and have a blast!

:)

I think it would be a lovely opportunity for you meet the other Moms and for your daughter to begin developing out-of-school friends.

I have been the Mom who invited the entire class and I never once wished that some would not come.

Go, have fun, make new friends.

Have you met any of the other Mom's yet?

I would when you see her at the daycare ask her. Ask if it would be inconvenient if you and your daughter go. Tell her you understand the policy but if its alright with her then you would like to go and get to know the other Mom's because your new there.

I am sure that it wont be a problem but that is a quick and easy way to find out.
She might be really nice, and be happy to have new ones coming :)

Go and have fun!

Go and have fun! If we can make it we always take my son to his little school friends' parties. I think you were invited because mom wanted her child's friend there and it'll be a good opportunity to meet other moms.

Nope -I say go! I've been on both sides of that, and I've always wanted as many people as possible to come to my boys' parties. I just recently took my youngest to a party for a preschool classmate of his who I didn't know at all, but I wanted to get to know some of the parents from his class a little better. It was great!

If I had to do that, policy, I would love all the kids to show up. I'm sure my child would love as many kids there as possible. I think if they truly only want one child to go they would've given her the invitation outside of daycare.

Kinda wish we had that policy because we don't know many right now either.

No, I wouldn't expect you to say no. DS started a Montessori program last September. He was 4 and a LOT of the kids had been in the program the previous year (about 5 others were new). The birthday invites started about a week after he started (OMG, of about 18 kids, 15 have birthdays between September and early November). We said yes and attended all the parties we were in town for. DH and I met the parents and I think they were honestly pleased we attended. DS just (2 days ago) had his 5-1/2 birthday party (his b'day is 12/25 so we do not to a birthday party) and almost all his Montessori classmates attended (even though they are all out of school for the summer). Go and have fun.

Definitely go to the party. I don't think that they just gave you guys the invite because of the policy. Even if they did, go and have fun and make some new friends. Good luck!

i think that most parents would want the kids to show up. it's more fun for the party kid. go and have fun.

Well I haven't been in this situation exactly, but I'm sort of a peacemaker and like to include everyone in everything (it's both an asset and a weakness in my personality!;) so sometimes I invite people to my kids' parties when I don't know them well, but they might be in my circle somehow, but I never hope they don't come. I often know they might not b/c it could be akward, but in the end, I like for people to come, have fun, and eat cake!! I think in your situation you should absolutely take advantage and go! With kids this age your daughter will have fun no matter what and it will give you a chance to get to know some of the other families. I would take it at face value and welcome the invitation!

you should totally go and not give this one more single thought. I always invited the whole class when my kids were that young and hoped that they all would be able to make it-including the ones who weren't great friends with my boys.

I have been on both sides of this issue and I always wanted all of the children to show up. With that said, if you don't want to invite someone for whatever reason, it's not that hard to do. You just skip over the folder or outbox or whatever parents pick up their info from and move on.

I have done this one time because the little boy had been bullying my child relentlessly to the point that my DS had come home injured twice. In fact, he was so scared of this boy that his experiences at that old preschool have followed him to his new one (which he loves but still has some trust issues with the other kids in general). In my mind, that was a plenty good enough reason to leave that kiddo out of the fun. Otherwise, I ahve never done this...

Go to the party! You never know, but this little girl could be your daughters new best friend!!!! Don't worry about the invite and if they really want you there or not--this is the perfect opportunity to get to know some people-so go for it! GL

M

I would go. One of those moms might be your next best friend. I think any time you can socialize it's for fun. You can always have the teacher point out the other mom and introduce yourself. You can tell a lot about a person in the first few minutes. Sometimes there is an instant click, like you have known them all your life and maybe even before. Hopefully lots of the moms/families will be like that.

I think she invited you b/c she wants as many kids as possible at her child's party. I think that if she did not want that many kids, she would have stopped the other moms and handed it to them (as I have done in the past) or she would have mailed them. You should go so you can get to know others in your area.

You can absolutely go. If some children weren't welcome, the mother would catch the other mom or ask for the other child's number for a playdate, and then ask outside of school. If someone is willing to invite the class, the class is welcome---just rsvp however the invitation says to, soon, so the mom can make sure to be prepared.
I was happy that a few weeks after we moved here, my 4 year old got a party invitation so I could see he would keep coming home talking about, names to faces and all that, see how he's playing with the new group, and meet some moms. On the flip side, I was always pleased with meeting moms and seeing the children who came to my son's parties. If the party needed to be small, they wouldn't invite the class.
Have fun.

I'm sure the other mom doesn't expect all 18 kids to come. However, she may be looking at this the same way you are as a chance to meet some other parents. You should go.

Absolutely go! I can't imagine they'd really hope people wouldn't go. In my opinion, everyone likes their children's party to be well attended. The parents had the option to not do anything or just stick to a family party, but they chose to have a class party. It's a great opportunity for you (and them!) to meet some other parents and get to know some of the children your daughter plays with. Many friendships have started for me over the years with small talk at birthday parties. Hope you meet some great people!

Go!
I did this for my dgd - sent invites to her age group of kids (about a dozen) and maybe half showed up!

Go and tell her thanks so much for including your daughter and helping her to fit in sooner. Then invite her and her child to play at your house as soon as M. can bring them. youll get to know that M. better too.

I think you should go. What better way to meet new people and help both you and your daughter make new friends.
Thank her very graciously for inviting you and let her know how welcome it made you feel. That way, even if she was expecting you to say no, she'll see how much it means to you and she will be happy to have found a new friend, too.