Birthday party wwyd?

[moobugmom]

DD1 (and DD2) got an invitation to a neighborhood girls party. She is very sweet and she came to DD1s party. But she is also quite popular and will not be lacking for attendants. The party is at a tumbling place and on the guest lists are the bday girls cheerleading squad, another girl she knows from tumbling, a few girls from her class (not

Comments

[dancingmom]

I think if you truly find its your issue (and a non-issue) you should offer it up to your kids. However, I also think your sanity is important so if you really think you're going to feel nutty about it and your kids won't be terribly disappointed, don't bother. I think it's okay if DD1 wants to gallop about if that makes her happy. She was obviously invited because someone likes her.

I don't know...I know decisions like these can be hard, harder for US because of all the analyzing we do.

[74tiger]

Ditto what K said.

Would your DDs have fun? And would it really be hardcore tumbling? Most of the gymnastic parties we've been to have been more large motor play...climbing in the pit, an obstacle course that kids can work at their own level, running on the tumble track, maybe a group game? But then again, my kids are younger so maybe they are different when the kids are older?

[storychick]

I say if DD1 would have her feelings hurt, if she would *notice* that she was being very different or was likely to get really teased, then I'd either skip it or talk to her about what its really going to be like and see if she still wants to go and risk the teasing.

But if its about you feeling uncomfortable, I'd try to go anyway (or make DH do it, since he blabbed! LOL). KWIM?

Tough decision. I am frequently relieved when Ciaran doesnt want to go to birthday parties. :)

[mammathinks]

I'd be inclined to accidently on purpose "forget" the party as well, because you know your dd best. At the same time, I know I sometimes sell my kids short, and find they rise to occasions I wouldn't expect them to. We so want to protect them from pain....I totally understand your dilemma.

At the same time, it would be unfortunate if DD1 really did want to go to the party. She could feel like she was missing out, when there's a chance if she was there, she wouldn't even notice if she wasn't completely fitting in, ya know? She might view it as being invited puts her in the IN place in the first place. :) Does that make sense?

Even if it does, I'm sure I was of absolutely no help at all. Waffler that I am!

[ashlex]

Probably too late to be helpful, but I'd probably either offer an alternative (and make it attractive enough that it's VERY unlikely that she'd refuse) or "forget" and deal w/ the fallout, whichever is likely to be the easiest on her/you. Even without the social issues, it can be hard to be at a party where you only know the guest of honor and her time is, understandably taken up by all the other guests who also know each other, you know? Add in the lack of tumbling (though like S mentioned, I would expect there to be non-actual tumbling options as well?) and her difficulty coping with groups, and I'd guess it would be more stressful than fun for her.