At what age do you stop inviting the entire class to bday parties?

[Anonymous]

1st grade? 2nd grade? We have been inviting the entire preschool class.

[Anonymous]

We didn't invite my daughter's whole preschool class. Our house is small and there is no way we could have fit everyone. I think it depends on the class size and the venue you have.

[Anonymous]

It's up to you. I only did it once - every other year it's been a few friends. If you can afford it or have a huge house where there's plenty of space, you can keep doing it. If not, it's okay to stop.

[Anonymous]

We stopped once DDs entered kindergarten. In kindergarten we invited all of the girls and after that we let DDs select whomever they wanted (with a final OK of the guest list coming from me).

[Anonymous]

Do what feels right and works for your family. Just be sure to keep the school out of it to eliminate hurt feelings. But don't kid yourself kids will use "your not coming to my party" as a threat.

[Anonymous]

When do you start?

[Anonymous]

We never done that. Ever. Invite the kids you want to invite from classroom, sports teams, neighborhood, church, etc.

-parent of a 7 & 11 year old

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When do you start?

OP here. I currently have 2 boys in preschool. About 70% of the kids have parties where the entire class is invited. We usually have about 1 classmate party per week at a bouncy house, My Gym, Chuck E Cheese, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When do you start?

OP here. I currently have 2 boys in preschool. About 70% of the kids have parties where the entire class is invited. We usually have about 1 classmate party per week at a bouncy house, My Gym, Chuck E Cheese, etc.

Ugh. That sounds like torture. OP, just because 70% of kids are doing it does not mean you have to join in the madness. Just say no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When do you start?

OP here. I currently have 2 boys in preschool. About 70% of the kids have parties where the entire class is invited. We usually have about 1 classmate party per week at a bouncy house, My Gym, Chuck E Cheese, etc.

Ugh. That sounds like torture. OP, just because 70% of kids are doing it does not mean you have to join in the madness. Just say no.

We're starting preschool next year. I have this to look forward to? Oh, good lord.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When do you start?

OP here. I currently have 2 boys in preschool. About 70% of the kids have parties where the entire class is invited. We usually have about 1 classmate party per week at a bouncy house, My Gym, Chuck E Cheese, etc.

Ugh. That sounds like torture. OP, just because 70% of kids are doing it does not mean you have to join in the madness. Just say no.

We're starting preschool next year. I have this to look forward to? Oh, good lord.

Not in our experience, no. But maybe our kid is just wildly unpopular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When do you start?

OP here. I currently have 2 boys in preschool. About 70% of the kids have parties where the entire class is invited. We usually have about 1 classmate party per week at a bouncy house, My Gym, Chuck E Cheese, etc.

Ugh. That sounds like torture. OP, just because 70% of kids are doing it does not mean you have to join in the madness. Just say no.

Our kids love going to birthday parties. I don't mind them as we get to meet other families from the school.

I know that at some point, kids start only inviting their close friends. Just wondering when that transition usually happens.

When my son starts kindergarten next year, we will probably invite the entire class. After that, maybe just the boys.

[Anonymous]

My son is in 1st grade. This year we invited all the boys in the class. Next year we'll just invite a few close friends.
I think it depends on the age/situation at which your child has specific friends. When they are little it seems common to not have more than 1 or 2 specific friends. That was certainly our situation. Now my son has a collection of 'actual' friends from various pieces of his life, so we can get a fun party going with just them.
Will also say that having the whole class (or a big set) is a helpful way to get to know kids and parents better. Despite the chaos, I was glad I had invited a large chunk of his class to his party as now I know kids and parents much better.

[Anonymous]

We don't...and only a couple of DS's preschool class invited the whole class. Kids know who they are friends with and who they are not. DS did not feel the least slighted if he wasn't invited to a party (I feel like it's the parents that are the ones that actually care). Do whatever works best for you.

[Anonymous]

NP here. I also lke having a birthday party to attend as a fun event for me and DS. Even my DH likes to go sometimes, depending on the party. I like meeting/catching up with the other parents and seeing DS interact with his friends.

My understanding of the rule of thumb is to invite the whole class or less than half. I assime that when you invite just girls or just boys, the same rule applies? Definitely don't want to leave out one or two kids out of ten. Is three okay? Four? I know from other threads that some on this board have no problem leaving out one, but I would.