LOL (: Don’t you LOVE how this is “supposed” to be a site where moms help other moms, but instead it turns into a rude and preachy, criticizing forum!?!? I mean, some of you people w/your tactless words of “advice” (like “Welcome to the real world!” or “You’re gonna have to get a thicker coat of skin!”) are unbelievable!
My Goodness, the woman asked for some “helpful advice”, NOT ridicule and sanctimonious ‘know-it-all’ dictations... Each and every situation is different, no matter what ANY of us have been through individually. Therefore, I think a little helpful feedback is called for when we give our “advice” like A.F. from Houston, or R.D. from Richmond --- VERY nice words ladies!!!
In any case, A.L., I don’t know if what I have to say will be helpful to you or not, but I sure hope so!!! :)
I have a 5yr-old myself, and a niece who is going to be 7 at the end of the month. My daughter IDOLIZES my niece, but I don’t see my niece reciprocating the same emotion. Don’t get me wrong, I believe she loves my daughter, but I think in her mind, there are times she thinks she’s older and can’t really be bothered w/my daughter (the younger, immature kid) and it hurts my daughter.
My daughter will sit there and cry sometimes as my niece is being mean to her, and my niece just looks at her and doesn’t seem to care that my daughter is so upset. And, God forbid if there are other kids around... My niece (and others) can then become very mean! Children can be cruel, especially when you have different age mixtures; someone is always getting their feelings hurt, or even small physical confrontations occur. It’s sad, but true.
Maybe that’s one of the reasons why your youngest daughter was omitted from the invite? She may know & play w/the party girl, but does she know the other ‘older’ kids? Sometimes, parents can see potential conflicts before they actually occur. There may be some older, bratty kids there that the party girl’s parents know would NOT be nice to your daughter. So for that main reason, I wouldn’t want my little one to go to the ‘Big Girl’s’ party.
I’d try and do some of what the others suggest... let your 7yr-old go to the party and you and your 5yr-old can have a special “Mommy & Me” day. That might please the little one even more! (I know my daughter would probably hate not going to the party, but on the flip side, she’d absolutely LOVE a special ‘Mommy & Me’ day.)
Whatever you choose to do, I wish you the best! It sure is HARD being a MOM isn’t it? Good Luck and best wishes...