We're very excited because my daughter's birthday falls on a SAturday. We are planning on having a party at an indoor playground.
I told some of the mom's in my group when one of them reminded me that another little girl has a birthday very close to my daughter's and "I might want to check with her mom."
I thought that wasn't a bad idea but I also don't want to lose the place that we're interested in.
I e-mailed this mom politely of course.
What would you do? Book or wait?
Thanks everyone! She e-mailed me back and not a problem at all :-).
I'd give the email at least a day to hear from the other mom.
OR see if the will put a tentative hold on the venue for a day or two.
Are you close friends with the mom?
Is your daughter close friends with the other child whose birthday is near hers?
If you are close with the mom, ask. If the girls are close friends, ask. They likely would want to be at each others' parties if both have parties (and...there is no rule that anyone has to have a party at any age!).
But if you are not good friends with them, or if you would not have invited this other child anyway -- I would go ahead and make my plans, period.
If you are all in some playgroup together and the playgroup parents and kids tend to invite each other to all the birthday parties, then yes, check with the other mom. But again -- if it's not like that in your group, then do what you want.
See if the location will reserve the slot for X days without a deposit, or if they refund the deposit up to Y days prior to the event. Many places will refund a deposit - or part of it -- if you cancel by a certain time. Of course you'd lose the depost if you waited until the last moment (or sometimes even the last week or more before an event) to cancel.
Joint party is possible IF your whole guest list was the same as theirs (i.e., everyone from the play group) but otherwise I would not be a fan of a joint party.
I'm guessing your kids are pretty young. As kids get older all this party madness improves greatly and there's much less "you can't have a party then, we're having it" stuff -- plus the kids only want a handful of friends instead of their entire classes and playgroups. Hang in there and these things eventually will not be issues at all
If all your guests are same and you want them at your party, I would talk to the other Mom and check dates. If your kids are best friends, then yes, I would talk to the other Mom, too, so there's no conflict. If your kids are not close, and your guests are all different, you can probably just book it.
When did you email her?
I'd say that if you did email her, she will get back to you by tomorrow.
I think you now have to wait since you emailed her.
Next time, just book and send her an FYI email - Hey, booked our party on June 3.
Maybe you could see if the other mom is interested in sharing the cost with you and having a dual-birthday party? We did that with one of the other boys in my son's pre-k class, and it worked great!
If the party place has a no cost cancellation policy, I would book it now to save the spot. If they DO have a pay for cancel policy, I would wait.
Book it then let the other mom know.
you have two options - talk with the mom and see if she wants to do a joint party. If not - then have the party you want.
My son shares a birthday with one of his closest friends. Yes, the mom & I talk as we have many mutual friends. However, my boys are now in double digits and parties aren't as important as "hanging out".
Book it. If this is what you and your daughter want. Talk with the other mom.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
