Where to Draw the Line on Inviting 7 Year Olds to a Birthday Party

Updated on January 19, 2009
J.H. asks from Chicago, IL
6 answers

I am planning a birthday party for my soon-to-be 7 year old, and really need some advice on who to include. My son wants to have a party at our house this year, and since we have a small place, I agreed as long as he can keep the list down. He is inviting friends from school, and wants to invite 4 boys from his class of 13 boys and 4 boys from the other class of 13 boys. He was friends with all of these kids last year with the exception of one. I don't want to risk hurting any child's feelings by limiting the list, but I simply can't have more than that at my house. My question is: Do I invite all of the boys from his class (so as not to leave anyone out), and the 4 friends from the other class and find a larger venue, or by the age of 7, is it acceptable to "pick and choose" a smaller group of friends so that I can host them at my house, which is what my son really wants (well, he really wants them ALL to be able to come to our home, but that is not an option).

Any advice from mom's who have been there would be greatly appreciated! I want to give my son the birthday he wants but I certainly don't want to hurt any feelings in the process. My son likes all of the kids in his class, but really wants the party at our home. Thank you!

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much to everyone who provided advice and feedback. You all helped me realize and confirm what was in my heart in terms of how I should handle the situation. In fact, the advice was unanimous, and I am now busy creating the birthday party of my son's dreams! Thanks again -- it is so nice to know there is a place like this to come to for thoughtful, honest advice and feedback from terrific moms like you.

Thanks again!

More Answers

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G.G.

answers from Chicago on

If you send the invites to their homes rather than give them out in class, I see no reason you can't limit the guest list. I know it's the politically correct thing to do to invite each child, but I think it's too much. Not every kid wants to attend each party, it's too expensive for the hosts and for the guests who have to bring 20-30 gifs throughout the year. I would ask your son not to discuss the party at school so those who are not invited don't feel left out.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

We have done the same thing with our now 8-year-old. I sent an email "save the date" to the parents, letting them know that we were having a small home party. I think that helped the kids understand that it wasn't going to be a party for the masses. We did hand out invites via school, but our teacher was super great about it and was discreet, telling the kids that they should keep the invite in their back pack so other kids' feelings don't get hurt. Hope you have a blast!

1 mom found this helpful
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W.P.

answers from Chicago on

I've never understood the "whole class" party expectation. One of my son's friends went to a school where they required it, so even though they were friends from preschool he always got left out of friend's party because he had to invite his whole class. Weird. That's too big of a party anyway! I say pick and choose and yes send the invites in the mail. The point of the party is to have your friends isn't it?

1 mom found this helpful
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S.Q.

answers from Chicago on

It is the norm at our school, too, to invite kids from different classes, grades, home friends, cousins, dance class, etc. The kids enjoy meeting new friends outside of their usual classmates and it makes the party more interesting! I don't think we've been to more than one or two "whole class" parties. One was here, and I swore to my husband I'd never have 18 children in my home at the same time ever again! It was fun, but completely overwhelming! Just mail all the invites so the kids at school don't notice someone got one and others didn't. And you child can explain, if asked, that he could only invite some friends this year, and some more friends next year. Have fun!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.B.

answers from Chicago on

Definitely invite the 8 boys your son chose to come to the house. I will be having a bigger party for my kindergartner this year only because things haven't settled enough to know who he's really friends with yet, but I look forward to something like what you've described in a year or two.
When my older son had parties at home with about 10 friends, he got really excited about planning the party. It sounds like that's what your son would love to do.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.

answers from Chicago on

It's totally acceptable to have smaller parties by that age - hardly anyone in first grade invited everyone in the class. (or if they did, they didn't invite my kid :-) I would send the invitations to the parents at home instead of delivering at school, though. We've missed several invitations over the years because they were under a pile of papers in a backpack - makes me crazy when parents do that.

1 mom found this helpful
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