Two Toddler Parties, Same Place and Time?

Honestly, I'd go to the neighbor's party. You have to live next door to them. If you feel badly about the class party you can still bring a token gift to drop off for the child even though you won't be staying for his party (that's in the same location).

Just be honest with both families.
Tell each that your son has, coincidentally, been invited to another party at the exact same time and place.
I'd buy gifts for both parties and once you've arrived, see where he gravitates....have him wish both kids Happy Birthday.
If this is a Chuck E. Cheese type of place, it will be pandemonium anyway and he doesn't have to be "there" for either--they all go and play and he will run into many kids he knows....
They only thing I'm thinking is you don't want both families to pay for the same kid--so tell O. that he's coming but will likely run into the other party at times and tell the other not to pay for him but he will be there with a gift but his admission is "covered"!

Call both people and tell them what is going on. I am sure they will understand. Ask your son which group he wants to bowl with and then he can go visit the other group in between frames.

If you haven't responded to either invitation yet, he should get to choose which party he would rather attend. Explain that whichever party he chooses, that is the group he needs to stay with for all or nearly all of the party duration. Then you can gently explain the situation to the other Mom, and stop in with a small gift at some point if there is a natural break in the party he is attending, or right at the end. I doubt any reasonable person would have issue with this. If you have already committed to one party verbally, I would use it as a teaching opportunity that you can't now choose once you tell someone you are coming, you are making a committment, like a promise, they plan for you as a guest, and it isn't polite to skip out when a different invite comes along.

You can tell both parents of each kid - - WOW - what a coincidence - we have been invited to another party for the same time!

If it's not too hard, get a gift for each child, and maybe try (or offer) to pay for your own child so each parent doesn't have to pay if you are even able to split your time between each party.

You have a popular kid :).

Ask your son which he'd rather go to. Then RSVP to that one that he will attend. RSVP to the other that you already committed to another event but since it's at the same place you may be able to "stop in". Let your son bowl at the one's party but take a few minutes to go say hi to the other one (maybe even drop a small present off).

In my experience, they would rather go to the classmate's party since they otherwise only see them at school.

In the really big scheme of things this is not a big problem. you go to one party stay an hour and go to the other party. your little one gets to play and see all the friends of both groups. neither mom is going to be mad that you can only stay part of the day. go and have fun with your little on

Teach him the proper way to choose: Rather than letting him choose which party he wants to go to, tell him he's going to the one from which he received the first invitation. That's what you'd tell him if he were older, and that's what you'd do if you had the same dilemma with an adult party...Wouldn't you? I was taught that if you have already said yes to one invitation you don't ditch it for another one that comes along later. If you have not responded to either one yet, yes, you have the "out" of choosing. The adults organizing these parties will understand and won't care. But if you already said yes to one, go to the one you said yes to. It would teach him that you don't always get to choose your fun and have to stick to what you promise.

I like Annette's response.

I would just say to which ever mom you're not attending the party of that you were invited to the other one before you got their invite - just be honest, say "it's actually funny, because it's in the same place at the same time as yours! So we'll be there, but as we got the other invite first...." I think the more awkward thing will be explaining to your son - he's going to be running back and forth no matter what. If you can swing it, buy a present for both and explain to both moms the situation before hand - they have 4 year olds, so they should understand! I think you have to resign yourself to the fact that you'll both be back and forth a bit while there! Good luck (and try to have fun!)

I would let him interact with both groups but just bowl with one or the other so both families are not paying for him. Then I'd let him do the cake, gift time, and stuff with the one that paid for his bowling game. Then as for the other time I'd let him go back and forth visiting with friends and neighbors.

Be honest with both parents and then ask your child which kids he'd rather spend time with. I have to assume that you'd rather be with the neighbors since you know them and want to hang out with the other moms & chat - but yoru son will probably want to be with the kids from pre-school since he sees them often and would like to see them in a non-school environment. Once you know which he's rather attend tell the other mom that you recieved the other invite earlier and had already responded.

How long are they? Can you make a short appearance at the neighbor's party and then head to the classmate one? If not, I would suggest going to the classmate one and then seeing if you can arrange a playdate with the neighbor. If he doesn't go to the classmate one and then all the kids are talking about it on Monday he will be so bummed out. (Personal experience with that one!)