Inviting family friends to a middle school birthday party

[Anonymous]

We are having a large 13th birthday party for DS. DS does not want to invite any family friends, just his everyday friends. He has attended several bar mitzvahs where friends and family are invited. I would like to have a similar type party but we are not Jewish.

DS agreed to one family friend, only because the kid can hang out sibling so he is allowing this family to come as sibling’s guest.

Would you push harder to invite family friends?

[Anonymous]

No. It's his birthday, guestlist should be his choice.

Invite your family friends over for some other event if you are desperate to see them.

[Anonymous]

You want to have a 13th birthday party similar to a bar mitzvah? As in renting an event space and inviting 100 people?

[Anonymous]

Just a note that a Bar Mitzvah isn't a "birthday" party. I wouldn't compare the two things.

[Anonymous]

If he isn’t socializing with his family friends outside of family gatherings I wouldn’t force it on him at 13.

[Anonymous]

Why do you want to make such a big deal out of the 13th birthday? Since you aren't Jewish, does the 13th birthday have special significance for some reason?

[Anonymous]

Have a family party, not for his birthday, and invite your friends. His birthday should be his friends.

[Anonymous]

No. He's old enough (and was old enough years ago) to decide who he wants at his birthday party. And this is NOT a bar mitzvah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have a family party, not for his birthday, and invite your friends. His birthday should be his friends.

+1. I would have a separate low key event for family friends.

[Anonymous]

Is this your birthday or the 13 years old? Because you act like it’s yours.