Anonymous
05/13/2026 12:10
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
You didn't need to spend a thousand dollars. And your kid has only gotten one invite because he's never had a birthday party before. Covid has nothing to do with it. My 4th grader has had birthday parties every year since Kinder and just had them outside then, with attendees wearing masks (before we knew we didn't need them outdoors).
Anonymous
05/13/2026 12:01
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
You're still blaming COVID? It's been 5 years.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 09:31
Subject: Re:Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
Sure. But not just birthday parties.
We are involved with many families with or without children through our work, our kids ECs, neighborhood, friends, family connections, hobbies, religious affiliations etc. When we invited adults for dinner, party etc, their children (if they have any) are always also invited.
Even our birthday parties are inclusive and parents and siblings are included.
We are involved with many families with or without children through our work, our kids ECs, neighborhood, friends, family connections, hobbies, religious affiliations etc. When we invited adults for dinner, party etc, their children (if they have any) are always also invited.
Even our birthday parties are inclusive and parents and siblings are included.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 08:18
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
Anonymous wrote:I threw my 4th grader son a birthday party first time ever that costed me almost a grand, now he gets a few birthday party invites from those kids. Partly due to covid reason and also not good at social skills, he only has gotton 1 birthday party invites from K to 3rd grade. So, is it how it works that hosting birthday party with friends is really important to keep friendship coming and going? Especially, parents are not good at social as well. Does that apply to both boys and girls as well? I am considering if I should fo the same for my younger DD to throw her a birthday party.
P.S. since it was his first time hosting birthday party with friends, so we did a pricey venue one to make sure all invited 12 kids that he likes would attend.
Why don’t you use ChatGPT to write what you’re asking
Anonymous
05/13/2026 08:07
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
Consistent playdates with a few kids he is friends with does wonders. Yes, party invites are often reciprocal, but there is no need for the party to be so expensive.
Anonymous
05/12/2026 22:53
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
Anonymous wrote:I threw my 4th grader son a birthday party first time ever that costed me almost a grand, now he gets a few birthday party invites from those kids. Partly due to covid reason and also not good at social skills, he only has gotton 1 birthday party invites from K to 3rd grade. So, is it how it works that hosting birthday party with friends is really important to keep friendship coming and going? Especially, parents are not good at social as well. Does that apply to both boys and girls as well? I am considering if I should fo the same for my younger DD to throw her a birthday party.
P.S. since it was his first time hosting birthday party with friends, so we did a pricey venue one to make sure all invited 12 kids that he likes would attend.
You...have never thrown your child a birthday party before fourth grade? What?? Most children get a birthday party every single year.
Anonymous
05/12/2026 20:03
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
Oh OP, we have kids the same age and I recognize your writing every time you post. I hope you're getting help for your anxiety. Your son is fine. If you want him to have more playdates, you need to organize playdates. You cannot just rely on him being friends with someone at school. You need to do more outside of school.
Anonymous
05/11/2026 11:51
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
I think it can help- and may be more important for girls than boys (in my experience). I don’t love inviting kids over, but that can also help kids get closer outside of school
I find for boys- most of their friends come from the activities they do outside of school. For my girls, it had more to do with playground time and socialization at school
I find for boys- most of their friends come from the activities they do outside of school. For my girls, it had more to do with playground time and socialization at school
Anonymous
05/11/2026 11:50
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
How old is your kid such that you're still talking about Covid impacts on birthday parties? That has been back to normal for a number of years now.
Agree with PPs that reciprocating and organizing things and parental engagement in setting up playdates helps kids socialize in the younger years. In preschool the norm was all-class parties but starting in K we let our kids choose based on their friends but I did also try to include kids whose bdays he'd attended.
I would focus less on having to spend $$$ - you can clearly do something for 12 kids for much less if that's the concern.
Agree with PPs that reciprocating and organizing things and parental engagement in setting up playdates helps kids socialize in the younger years. In preschool the norm was all-class parties but starting in K we let our kids choose based on their friends but I did also try to include kids whose bdays he'd attended.
I would focus less on having to spend $$$ - you can clearly do something for 12 kids for much less if that's the concern.
Anonymous
05/11/2026 11:34
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
Invite a few kids over to your house or playground and give them snacks and let them play. It doesn't have to cost $$ to have fun.
Anonymous
05/11/2026 11:27
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
It's important but not the only thing. Play dates, doing sports or a club together. At this age, kids need to spend time together in a structured AND u structured ways to develop friendships. One party a year is not enough to keep a friendship going.
Anonymous
05/11/2026 11:25
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
Party attendance has nothing to do with whether kids become friends or not.
Anonymous
05/11/2026 10:54
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
Party invites are not the same thing as friendships.
Anonymous
05/11/2026 10:54
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
Yes, socialization peootes friendships. It doesn't need to be expensive.
Anonymous
05/11/2026 10:53
Subject: Birthday party is best way to keep friendship coming and going?
I threw my 4th grader son a birthday party first time ever that costed me almost a grand, now he gets a few birthday party invites from those kids. Partly due to covid reason and also not good at social skills, he only has gotton 1 birthday party invites from K to 3rd grade. So, is it how it works that hosting birthday party with friends is really important to keep friendship coming and going? Especially, parents are not good at social as well. Does that apply to both boys and girls as well? I am considering if I should fo the same for my younger DD to throw her a birthday party.
P.S. since it was his first time hosting birthday party with friends, so we did a pricey venue one to make sure all invited 12 kids that he likes would attend.
P.S. since it was his first time hosting birthday party with friends, so we did a pricey venue one to make sure all invited 12 kids that he likes would attend.