Children’s birthday parties traditionally involve an invite list of no more than eight to 10 close friends from school.
But there’s now a growing trend among parents to invite their child’s entire class to the party, despite the expense.
Writer Katherine Stahl recently penned a piece for PopSugar on why she deemed such extravagance appropriate.
Writer Katherine Stahl revealed why she made her daughter invite her entire class to her birthday party
‘My daughter made the list of the kids she wanted to invite, and my heart sank… she was leaving three of her female classmates out,’ Katherine said.
‘As much as I believe that kids’ wishes (and not their parents’) should dictate what happens with their birthday parties, my goal of not raising a mean girl had to take priority.
‘I don’t think she intentionally meant to exclude those three little girls, but I know exactly what I’d be doing if I let that decision stand, and that’s not something I can live with.
Birthday parties are traditionally a handful of close friends usually amounting between 8-10 invitees. But there is a growing trend among parents that sees children inviting their entire classmates to the party, despite the expense
‘Instead, we had a conversation about how she would feel if one of her friends invited most of the girls in her class but left her off the guest list. ‘Sad,’ she said.’
Katherine later detailed that the entire class would be invited to her daughter’s party for that very reason.
Mother-of-three Amelia Morgan also agrees that no child should be left out of her kid’s birthday parties.
‘For the sake of a bit more money, if it’s a few more kids then it’s right thing. Empathy is taught through experiences like that,’ says mother-of-three Amelia Morgan
‘I’ve done it for the kids’ kindy class both times, but wouldn’t expect everyone to do that. I have heard of one or two kids being left out (when a whole class was invited) and I don’t think that’s okay,’ Amelia told FEMAIL.
‘If you are going to do something that may even possibly upset a child that young, then why do it? For the sake of a bit more money, if it’s a few more kids then I totally think she (Katherine) did the right thing. Empathy is taught through experiences like that.’
Mother-of-three Amelia Morgan also agrees that no child should be left out of birthday parties
Nicky Smyth, who is a mother of twin boys in Kindergarten, also agrees it’s the right thing.
‘At preschool I invited the whole class and will do so again this year because they’ve specifically said the kindy class needs to be invited (so no one is left out). I understand this.’
Mother-of-two, Meredyth Johnson was on the other side of the fence when her eight-year old son was left out of a party last year.
‘My son was left out of a party last year. It was a friend whom he plays with a lot and we are also friends with his family. He was pretty upset,’ Meredyth told FEMAIL.
Mother-of-two, Meredyth Johnson was on the other side of the fence when her eight-year old son was left out of a party last year
‘My son was left out of a party last year. It was a friend whom he plays with a lot and we are also friends with his family. He was pretty upset,’ Meredyth told FEMAIL
Despite her son being mortified that he wasn’t invited, Meredyth still maintains the decision was fair game.
‘That’s life! Both my kids have invited who they wanted (with a limit of numbers) and I will explain that other kids can do the same, and families can’t afford to have a massive party every year!
‘I don’t think it’s necessary to invite the whole class . This year he is not having a party and is taking three to four friends out for dinner.’