Birthday party etiquette can be a bit of a tricky subject – there aren’t really many clear cut rules for children’s birthday parties. Once your kid hits a certain age, invitations to parties start flowing in, which also brings a ton of uncertainty that can feel overwhelming as a parent.
To combat that feeling, here are the 4 things we suggest you do to mind your party manners:
RSVP
We’ll keep this one simple: always RSVP and respond either way. Confirming whether your child can make the party or not allows the host to plan accordingly.
Coordinate your children
We know that it can sometimes be difficult to coordinate separate activities for multiple kids, especially if you are still at the age where parents stay at birthday parties. However, paying for extra kids that weren’t technically invited is a burden no party parent should face. Clear communication is the key here! If you need to bring a sibling or two, please check with the host first. If it is okay with the host, pay for your other children. You know your child best, so if there’s a possibility they could be a disruption to the fun, try to make other arrangements.
Follow parent wishes about gifts
Showing up empty-handed can be a bit awkward, but more than ever, some families are asking for no gifts or a donation to local charities. A good rule of thumb is to follow whatever the invitation indicates. If it asks for no gifts, respect the family’s wishes!
Communicate about expectations
All kids hit the magical age where a birthday party invite means you drop them off! But how do you know if it is a drop off party? If it wasn’t mentioned, check in with the host. If you feel a bit indifferent about leaving your child there, it’s more than okay to stay! The host will likely welcome an additional adult!
When it’s all said and done, a child’s birthday party shouldn’t be a stressful event for your family. If you have questions, ask them!
Leave a Reply