https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 10:51:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2889096 Wed, 26 Jun 2019 08:40:29 +0000 irene 2889096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: So what ended up happening? :silly:<br /> Don't worry about the twins, I am sure the parents are used to this kind of thing and they won't hold a grudge on you. We had twins in our school too and when I sent out the invite, the mom reached out and said are both of them invited of just one (that is in DS' class)? I said both of them, of course! So don't worry. They know the drill, you are not the first one to invite them to your birthday party :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2888763 Mon, 24 Jun 2019 09:24:51 +0000 graceandjoy 2888763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do think it's annoying. It's pretty basic etiquette and these days with such easy ways of communication, I just can't fathom why people don't, outside of true emergencies or special circumstances. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2888630 Sat, 22 Jun 2019 22:44:22 +0000 Anagram 2888630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: So we had our party today. 2 kids that RSVPd yes were no-shows. And we had 1 kiddo that didn't RSVP at all that did show! haha.</p> <p>One funny thing was that we ran into one of the no-shows at the grocery store the night before, and his mom was like "We'll see you tomorrow!" and then they didn't show, haha.</p> <p>We still had around 19 kids total, so it was a pretty full house. I only noticed about the no-shows because for the first time ever, I actually wrote kids' names on the favor bags. Usually I don't do names and just give a generic bag to every kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2888620 Sat, 22 Jun 2019 20:30:05 +0000 MamaCate 2888620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: yes in those circumstances I think the general reminder would be best. It is hard to draw a lot of general conclusions because it is such a small group (one class) each year. In your case I think it is your party and if you want to make an exception about the two twins on the age restriction then that is up to you. I think that is reasonable. </p> <p>I also think trying to have clear expectations up front can help prevent some of this but there is still randomness in people’s specific behavior and situations. I hope the party is awesome no matter what!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2888604 Sat, 22 Jun 2019 18:38:36 +0000 Chuckles 2888604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: @Anagram: @MamaCate: thanks, ladies. It was an evite, so I know the families opened the invitation. I think I'll just send a general reminder tomorrow. I feel like I got a crash course in big kid birthday invites this year. I didn't specify drop off or parents stay on the invitation. I kind of assumed most parents would stay since it's at our house and most of them don't know us well. But I had hoped that if parents needed to drop off because of childcare issues, they would have reached out to ask. But in retrospect, I should have said that parents staying was optional.<br /> The other complication with these two families are that both kids are twins. And we ended up saying no siblings because it's been raining here nonstop and we can't have 30 kids inside our house. I'm wondering if the families haven't responded because they are upset that the twin wasn't included. But maybe I'm just being paranoid. Again, in retrospect we should have included the siblings of the 3 twins in his class, but not other- aged siblings, but it seems too late to change it now. Right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2888265 Thu, 20 Jun 2019 09:19:21 +0000 Anagram 2888265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: We are hosting a birthday party for my turning-6-year-old this Saturday. It is a super busy weekend (school is out today!) and we have our dance studio recitals the same day, so I wasn't sure how attendance would be. We invited her whole class (18 kiddos) plus 4 non-class friends. It's a drop off party. We have sent 1 reminder only, and we currently have 4 people who have opened but not responded. I'm counting them as "no" answers. One of my mom friends' read as "unread" so I texted her personally, and found out that I'd sent to a super old email address I had on file, that she doesn't use anymore. But she's the only one I reached out to personally, and only because it said "unread". </p> <p>Just in case I have a kiddo show up that didn't RSVP at all, I have 3 extra favor bags. But at this point, we stand at 20 "yes" answers, so I will not be mad at all if we get some day-of cancellations. My own kids get sick often enough that we've had to cancel day of. I do message and say they are sick and can't come---I'm sure the parents would rather have us not come and infect everyone at the party.</p> <p>Even if we had a couple people RSVP yes, but not show up, it wouldn't bother me since we've invited 22 kids total. Maybe if I'd invited only 12 and then 6 didn't show, I'd feel differently. But I'll report back after Saturday! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2888264 Thu, 20 Jun 2019 09:01:52 +0000 MamaCate 2888264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: I would ignore the 3 who usually don’t attend but reach out individually to the 2 good friends. It is possible they didn’t see or lost track of the invite. This spring I had the mom of one of my DD’s good friends text me to ask about the party invite and we hadn’t seen it because it was sent home in a weird spot in her bag. My daughter was so happy to get to go and I know we both would have felt bad if we just missed it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2888255 Thu, 20 Jun 2019 08:24:47 +0000 irene 2888255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: I'd send out a final general reminder on Friday (a day before your party) so people who RSVP'd actually remember to come. Then I'd send a private message to those 5 that didn't reply. Sometimes maybe you got their email wrong? If it is a venue, just say you need to get a final headcount, and you know your LO really would love them to come so you want to check.</p> <p>Yes, you are doing great! Don't get upset because a few people who RSVP'd may not show up in the end with no explanation. It is possible, hopefully it won't happen to you :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2888160 Wed, 19 Jun 2019 14:30:56 +0000 Chuckles 2888160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted to bump this thread with a question about reminding people to RSVP. When you send out an evite, how many reminders do you send for people to RSVP? My DS's party is a week from Saturday. I sent out a reminder last week and got a few more replies, but there are still about 5 who haven't responded. It sounds from this thread that we've done pretty well with response rate actually.<br /> Three who haven't responded seem to not come to most class parties, but two others are pretty good friends of DS at school. And the parents of one of them recently invited us to a BBQ at their house that wasn't a whole class thing. And the other is having her birthday party the same day but in the evening. Would you send a general reminder to everyone again? Only reach out to the 2 closer friends? Or just call it a day and get extra favors in case they show up? I don't know if 2 reminders is overkill and annoying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870365 Mon, 04 Feb 2019 15:07:07 +0000 irene 2870365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: So far, fingers crossed, that my experience is the exact opposite of yours lol. People at daycare didn't care (to me I chalk it up to they are still new to the whole birthday party / RSVP culture), but elementary school has been great. We have a very extensive directory, and everyone uses Evite pretty much exclusively, and I can see the guest list and responses most of the time, and they have always been good. So I had pretty good faith that I would have 99% of RSVP rate (yes, some I have to nudge, but they usually respond). And yes, I can't take that for granted! And OK, thanks for helping me think about what could have happened. While yes, I understand that dealing with multiples is way more difficult (and I have to say I feel better thinking about it, because I only have 1, and yes it is much easier for me to keep track of only one schedule), I hate to keep bringing back what happened to us but 2 of those 4 were the only child in the family lol. OKOK. I am getting over it I promise, but just saying. :silly: </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: While I really dislike our winter birthday and would much prefer a birthday at a warm month (at least I had the option to host it in a park / outdoors if I wanted to!), I am actually glad we are not in the summer vacation zone exactly because of what you said! I felt that moms tend to be more relaxed and tend not to RSVP anymore, or they tend to be out of town more unpredictably. But definitely I wouldn't have had the pressure to invite the whole class of 19 kids then! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870352 Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:39:48 +0000 Foodnerd81 2870352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I admit, this is one area where a summer bday is nice- my older daughter’s birthday is end of July, so I feel pretty comfortable not inviting the whole class if I don’t want to, since it’s far enough away from the end of the school year and she hasn’t started her new class yet. Downside is there are always going to be people we actually want there who’ will be away on vacation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870350 Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:29:46 +0000 irene 2870350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I see! when DS was 3, I hosted a joint party with a friend, and she insisted to use paper invitations. It was quite a nightmare! Granted whoever that we invited we had a way to nudge them, and we did have to nudge a few to get a response. Our school provides a very comprehensive directory thankfully, so I did the Evites that way. </p> <p>@Ajsmommy: Yes I hear ya! In my eyes it is the decency of one mother supporting another -- all of us know that it is great stress and pain to throw a kids party (ie. planning and paying for an elaborate group play date), why not just make another mom's life easier by RSVPing, and actually stick to your words in terms of go or not go, or at least give the host a heads up if you change your mind / something happened last minute?</p> <p>One of my DS' better friends was one of the ppl who didn't show that day (it was my friend's ex-husband's week, so I don't know if he did it on purpose or what's the deal, but he did reach out apologizing probably via pressure from my friend). DS did get sad and asked why his friend didn't come. DH said, probably because his dad woke up late lol :grin: :crying: </p> <p>@Pollywog: I am so sorry to hear what happened to your party :sad: In terms of # of parents, as we are older (7 yo), I don't look at that parent number anymore or there is no way I can provide so much food! People always put 1 adult 1 kid in RSVP regardless if they are dropping off or not. My evite shows 23 adults and 23 kids! I only got enough cake for 23 kids as I noticed grown ups rarely eat at a kid party lol. </p> <p>Yes you are right. We are invited to another party now, and that mom actually called us to confirm and remind us of potential schedule clash lol. </p> <p>@ALV91711: Good for you! Yes, if it were up to me, there will be no birthday parties, and we will just plan something really fun and amazing. But then DS really wanted a party. Our agreement so far is we'll do a party every other year. Hopefully he grows out of it soon ...</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: I invited via evite 27 or 28 to begin with, all of them RSVP'd. 23 said they were coming, and I think 19 showed up. There were 19 kids in his class, we invited all out of some serious consideration (this is the first big party we ever threw for DS, and I know this age they are going to talk about it in class), plus a few from other classes and a few from our friends/neighbors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870347 Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:25:02 +0000 Mrsbells 2870347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Since starting elementary school I have noticed people are not as good with rsvps as they were in daycare. Maybe I just had a better connection with daycare moms. Its bad to say this but I say consider yourself lucky you got rsvps. I have had situations were only neighbors rsvpd and as many as 10 invited kids from school didn't respond at all. Honestly it has changed my perspective on school parties and sadly I have started being the same way and not always responding since they didn't have the decency to respond to me. ( so petty I know)<br /> At the same time I do understand how it happens, sometimes I find invitations in my 6 year old's bag long after the party is already over! I think sometimes they look at the invites and then leave them at school in their locker, cubby for weeks. I also get it that many moms have other kids and lots of extra curricular events and sometimes things get blurred. I recently rsvpd yes to a party but I must have looked at the calendar wrong and it was only the day before the party that I realized we couldn't make it because I thought it was the next week! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870317 Mon, 04 Feb 2019 10:47:32 +0000 Foodnerd81 2870317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m really curious- with these parties with tons of people not RSVPing, how big is the guest list? Do you invite the entire class? </p> <p>We haven’t had big problems with this, but I’ve alwasy been able to sent evites, which sends the reminder for me, and even the one time we invited the entire class, that was literally 8 kids because her class was so small that year. And so far their schools have sent directories and email addresses which makes it so much easier. </p> <p>So I have had the odd no show here and there but not nearly as bad as you guys describe. I wonder if when she is in kinder next year with a bigger class if I’ll get to experience this. </p> <p>I have had parents RSVP for two parents and only one shows or vice verse but not enough to make a difference. And one friend apologetically texted me in the morning to see if she could bring two extra kids she ended up babysitting that day. . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870302 Mon, 04 Feb 2019 09:32:36 +0000 ALV91711 2870302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>People not rsvp’ing frustrates me the most! How hard is it to send a simple text saying you can’t make it? 3 years we have had a party for DS and the only people to rsvp are the few that come. I never know if I should expect more or not. </p> <p>This year I’m avoiding it all. We are travelling to visit family a couple days after his birthday and I’m throwing him a party there with his 5 cousins. He is super excited and we know they will all come. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870288 Mon, 04 Feb 2019 08:51:34 +0000 Pollywog 2870288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just had J's birthday yesterday and had about a quarter of the kids bail in the 15 hours leading up to the party (you know, after the food was made and all of the favors purchased) and then we had 2 people who RSVPed yes no show without a text and 2 people not RSVP and show up. Plus about half the people RSVPed for 2 parents and only one came. We have so much leftover food. So I totally get the frustration. It makes it really hard to plan.</p> <p>I think going forward I either need to make it open ended where you don't need a firm count (like where you aren't paying by the person) or only invite like 3 kids where you can text the parents to confirm the date works before making plans </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870283 Mon, 04 Feb 2019 08:26:08 +0000 Ajsmommy 2870283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tend to get really frustrated with the people who don't rsvp at all.. how hard it is to send a text or click the no on the evite??? I especially don't like it when it's the kid that my DD hangs out with the most at school!! I mean come on.. I know we aren't friendly and I dont' know you from a hole in the wall but you can tell our kids play together all day e'er day and you can't simply rsvp?? Don't you think my kid is asking if your kid is coming? what am I supposed to say? "so and so's mom/dad isn't respectful enough to acknowledge a simple invite w a response, apparently their time is too precious...." bc that's what I'd like to say.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870279 Mon, 04 Feb 2019 07:56:26 +0000 erinbaderin 2870279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I didn't, because he's in junior kindergarten, we invited the whole class, and I have no way of getting in contact with any other parents short of sending in individual notes and asking the teachers to put them in the kids' mailbags, which...seemed excessive. (on an unrelated note, I wish the school would send home a class directory! It would make life much easier!) I don't even know who didn't RSVP because I don't know the names of all the kids in his class. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870251 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 21:11:21 +0000 irene 2870251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all -- talking about it makes me feel better and gives me closure for some strange reason. Speaking of which, 2 years ago I also hosted a small home party inviting only 7 kids. One of them is DS' bff from school (we only invited him). The mom would NOT RSVP. I emailed her, no response. I had to ask DS to ask his friend at school. His friend said he's coming and I had a feeling he wouldn't come. At the end of course no show. The mom also didn't reach out. But she is very weird (she also dropped all the balls on all the class parties / mystery readers...etc. that she signed up), and they moved out of town the next year.</p> <p>I am thinking i should not host any parties anymore because I hate being "stood up" with 0 notice. I strangely hold a really big grudge for a very long time. </p> <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Hmm... I understand that different people treat these things differently.... but if the RSVP is still fluid or if my reminder is annoying, they can RSVP "MAYBE", or straight out changing the YES reply to NO. Then at least I get an idea. Last year my mother was dying and we could be leaving the country at any minute. DS was invited to a classmate's party and I was so distracted that I didn't RSVP until the other mom reached out to me in email. I apologized, told her the situation and that I really had no idea if we were going to show up or not. I told her I would for sure send in a gift. She was very kind and understanding and we did end up going. I don't know, I guess I do care about these things...</p> <p>I am guessing 2 of them did truly forget and they may not even realized they missed the party. I just didn't understand at this day and age, you can't put it down on the calendar and set a reminder ....? :sad: Usually venues hosting these things they charge $$$ on the confirmed headcount, not the # of kids that showed up at the end, so to me it is rude if your child didn't show up at the end and the host has to pay for the no-show. </p> <p>Nothing against your DH at all, we all float our boats differently but glad to know of the mindset ... thank you so much for sharing at least I strangely am getting some closure :happy: </p> <p>@erinbaderin: That is beyond rude! Did you reach out to those people who didn't RSVP and asked them to RSVP? I had to do that and that got quite a few of them to RSVP. But still. If that happened to me I would have been sobbing by the corner lol. Hugs! Don't invite these people again!!</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: I didn't put the kids on the spot at all (all I said was "hey we missed you at DS' party! What happened?" that was the only thing I said to the kid), this is my internal struggle and I am hoping to seek closure lol</p> <p>@looch: YES, same here! Thank God everyone RSVP'd or I'd have more to hold a grudge on lol. I also try to RSVP right away and put it right on my calendar with reminders too. The only time I don't RSVP right away is when I am anticipating a conflict (eg. pending baseball game schedule...etc.)</p> <p>@DesertDreams88: Oh no! Did those 12 people at least reach out to you with "excuses"?! I would have been livid. I am so sorry but glad you had a great 2nd party!</p> <p>@lioneyes: Oh no! I hope you weren't affected too much :bummed: Did they even tell you what happened? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870242 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 16:42:29 +0000 lioneyes 2870242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's really rude but it's reality. 3 different couples/families did this FOR MY WEDDING. And none of them even reached out with an excuse. Some people are just flaky. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870222 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 12:20:20 +0000 DesertDreams88 2870222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also have a reoccurring problem of people not RSVPing until last minute despite personal contact.</p> <p>I would rather have people RSVP yes and then cancel with 24-hr notice vs people dwadle until the week of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870220 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 12:18:56 +0000 DesertDreams88 2870220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my 30th bday, I had 2 bday parties - one for all of my "teacher friends" who mostly have no kids so it was 5-9pm Friday night, then all my friends with kids 9-1 Sat morning. Both were pool parties.</p> <p>For the Fri night party, I invited 25 people (ppl who have come to my events before), it took forever to get RSVPs, 12 people said yes, and only THREE showed. Honestly I was so pissed. I had food and drinks ready for 15+ ( In case they brought significant others).</p> <p>It all worked out because I used all the food and décor for the party the next day, and we had an awesome time, but yeah.... people can be so inconsiderate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870218 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 11:53:08 +0000 looch 2870218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At my son's last party, we had one person that RSVPd yes not show up, but it was fine in the end because we had a good group. What annoys me more is the people that don't RSVP at all. With evite, how hard is it? I mean, I RSVP right when i get the invite because I tend to forget. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870209 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 09:07:10 +0000 Foodnerd81 2870209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: obviously you know there is no point in dwelling on it, but yeah that’s annoying. I totally get that things come up, someone gets sick, something else that is just more important than a friend party, whatever. But you send a note that says sorry to be last minute we can’t make it. Don’t just not acknowledge it. </p> <p>Also- I get that people just forget. Life with kids gets crazy and sometimes you forget. When you remember you go out of your way to apologize and that’s it. No hard feelings. Ignoring it is rude. </p> <p>But I wouldn’t put kids on the spot like that. What good could it possibly do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870204 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 06:38:11 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2870204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will say that my husband is the type of person to RSVP and no show, no call. We were invited to one of his coworker’s kids parties. On the day of the party DH wanted me to take LO solo because he was dog-tired. I refused since the party place wasn’t age appropriate for LO anyway. I suggested he let his coworker know. He didn’t. When he brought the gift in the next work day she told him she didn’t even notice we were no-shows since she was too busy hosting.</p> <p>In your case @irene: it does sound like at least one boy had an alternative activity and his mom lied. Sucked the parent RSVP’d, but I’d chalk that up to your persistent reminders and not wanting to not RSVP even if the attending was still fluid for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870203 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 06:25:16 +0000 erinbaderin 2870203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a kind of similar problem - at least half the people we invited didn’t RSVP at all, and then four families cancelled the day of the party, plus kids showed up really late - like, there were still kids arriving 45 minutes into a 2 hour party. It makes me furious - why are people so rude? I know there’s nothing we can do about it but yeah, it really bugs me. It is not hard to send a text. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870198 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 00:17:22 +0000 irene 2870198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: @SweetiePie: Yes of course I'll move on because I have no choice! lol. I even expected this to happen too as things happen with little kids. They could wake up and start puking all over the place. But all 3 of them didn't reach out at all? That I didn't expect. It is one of those first world mom "Seinfeld" issues -- it really doesn't matter, but it bugs the hell out of me. I didn't even understand how I am not over with this by now :meh: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870196 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 00:05:03 +0000 SweetiePie 2870196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: agree. It sucks. People are rude. But it didn’t have an impact on the overall day so I would just move on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870195 Sun, 03 Feb 2019 00:01:38 +0000 crazydoglady 2870195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most importantly, it sounds like your son had a lovely party and he was happy with how it turned out. It's not that I think you are over-reacting because it's disappointing when people flake, but I would let it go and not dwell on it anymore. Maybe this will help you with the guest list for next year. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-rsvps-1#post-2870192 Sat, 02 Feb 2019 23:06:35 +0000 irene 2870192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We threw a bowling birthday party for DS 2 weeks ago. Everyone RSVP'd. Evite sent out reminders periodically. I confirmed with the facility on the headcount, they generated the final bill, I ordered cake and party favors based on the RSVP number.</p> <p>The day of the party, 4 of the "YES"es didn't show up. One of them did get back to me and apologize. The other 3 are all DS' classmates. NONE of them emailed or texted me. </p> <p>It is really no biggie in the grand scheme of things. Everyone had fun, we had less kids to share the lanes, less kids to manage, more food and cake enough for the parents. But it bugged me. I find it so rude that if something comes up, shouldn't you at least reach out and give me a heads up?</p> <p>I met one of the moms in person a week later. She did come over and genuinely apologized that they didn't make it. Since she brought it up (and out of curiosity) I asked what happened. She said they weren't feeling very well that day. I said, oh, ok. </p> <p>I had lunch with DS at school a few days afterwards. Another boy who also didn't come to the party came over and said hi to me (His mom and I are friendly acquaintances). I said we missed him at DS' birthday party. He said he didn't even know there was a party (but they did RSVP yes). He mumbled on a bunch of stuff that I didn't understand. Other kids overheard, and they told me that another boy, whose mom said they weren't feeling very well, told them that they missed the party because they had a sleepover that day. Hmm.</p> <p>Am I over-reacting? Does that happen a lot and what do you feel about it? </p>