Unbelievable........ .

I had this at my DD's 18th when one of her friends dropped out of going to go-karting. She was supposed to be taking some others in her car too so who stepped in? Mum, of course. I had to leave all other preparations, take them (about 10 in two cars) to the venue, have a go at go-karting (because all places had been paid for by me beforehand), drive home, get the party room ready at the pub, go home and get ready, go back and set up buffet and then greet guests and party. No wonder I'm shattered these days! lol

I didn't, however, charge the girl who cancelled at the last minute and that was about £30 each.

There should have been 4 * as in " **" but you get my drift.

But how sad to be setting this sort of example to the little boys concerned. I read that they "used to play together".
Honestly, sometimes "they *you up, your mum and dad" to use a well known opening line.

Silly people having a silly argument. Now lets get more important things on the BBC news....Boko Haram, Isis, Greece going bankrupt, forthcoming general election.........

Two of the best parties we had for DGS and DGD were trips to soft play when they were 4. 10 or so friends at around £3-4 per head and catered ourselves with finger foods in the 'party room'. They ran themselves ragged for over an hour, ate and went home very pink, tired out and clutching a party bag!

I agree Deedaa. I think doing things within your means is quite a good idea too. There are still some parents who do though and I suppose there were always some who wanted to impress too.

Absolutely ... doh!

I think the whole thing just underlines the stupidity of paying out for expensive parties for small children. 5 year olds would have been quite happy with a few games, chocolate fingers, birthday cake and a party bag. So much cheaper and more flexible if people turn up or drop out unexpectedly. Surely it makes more sense to keep parties like this till the children are older and only invite ones who are close friends, in which case you probably know the parents quite well and can contact them easily.

And at times like this, I am so glad I live in a country that is 30 years behind ;)

Are you suggesting that everyone who was invited was asked to pay for their child rosequartz. My how children's birthday parties have changed!

I can see why it is on the news if this is what birthday parties have got to. How our culture is changing.

For heavens sake BBC News is talking about it with 2 women like there has been a national disaster.

We've had a similar conversation on here a few days ago......its why I'm still rooting for the days of half a dozen friends, jelly and ice-cream (perhaps a pizza for you modern types) and a game of pass the parcel...and a DVD.

Perhaps we could have made it on to the ITV news!

Surely they wouldn't have invited the whole class at £15.95 a head to a 5 or 6 year old's birthday party
How could you keep an eye on 20 or so little ones whizzing (or falling) down a ski slope?

I reminded me of an evening do arranged by a club DH belongs to - one couple said, yes they were definitely coming then didn't turn up. We each had extra added to our bill to cover the cost of their dinners!
The couple were shamed into paying it back to us (and were not pleased) and we never went back to that pub/restaurant again either.

Other parents confirmed clearly that all contact detail were on the invite- so NO excuse in my book, sorry.

I would not have charged- just been very annoyed at the sheer rudeness. But another aspect is that the party was very possibly limited in number- so another child could have gone and enjoyed it, instead of it being wasted!
Spending money on children is great- wasting it is not, especially when another child, perhaps a family member, could have gone in his place.

You choose the shape of your child's birthday party and set a budget. If you choose to go skiing then the cost has been budgeted. I cannot understand why anyone would now want to go to this child's birthday party ever again - just in case you get charged as you leave.

Yes, it isn't good not to turn up to a party without letting the host know but that is a separate thing.

Apparently the father tried to get in touch but didn't have the birthday boy's parents phone number so it must have been one of those 'invite the whole class' do's. I can't imagine sending a child off to a party with no contact details.

I think, since he knew where the party was he would have had an idea of the expense he should have got in first and offers to pay.

Bad manners on both sides.

Yep- just seen it on the news- how ridiculous.

But other parents confirmed that all detail were indeed on the invite- so dad of non show child is lying- no excuse for not sending apologies in advance- and 5 year old should not be given 'choice' on the day. Very glad DD1 and sil instill the concept of commitments with GC.

Don't think this is big enough news for the 6 o'clock News on the BBC.

Some people have absolutely no conscience about letting other people down.
DS has given up organising social events for his group of friends because people would say they were coming then not turn up.
Is it a generational thing?

Agree-your first commitment takes priority unless it's some family issue that can't be helped. I don't believe in giving five year olds too much choice anyway.

Just heard father on PM - he said his son was allowed to choose on the day which event he wanted to go to. Unbelievable. I wouldn't have sent the invoice but my dd was always taught that once you accept an invitation it doesn't matter what better offer might turn up.

And how did it get on the BBC lunch-time news? And why?
Is there nothing else going on in the world?

How embarrassing all round, but then some parents don't care about embarrassing their children as long as they get their 15 minutes of fame!

What happened to jelly and ice-cream + pass the parcel. Birthday parties have gone totally mad imho- and so much one upmanship and keeping up with the Joneses.

Yes, nul point all round. Surely when the parents who accepted the invite for their child must have known it would cost a few bob- and therefore there is NO EXCUSE in my book for not phoning and explaining the double booking in advance- rather then just not turn up. SO INCREDIBLY RUDE - another child could have gone instead. I don't think I would have sent a bill though- ridiculous- but would have been quite cross.

Quite quite bonkers! They would have had to pay for the child whether he went or not and had obviously budgeted for that number of children. Crazy people