Mother shocked after receiving £100 bill for another child’s birthday party
A mother has told how she was left stunned after another mother sent her the bill for her child’s birthday party via WhatsApp.
The mother of two used to always pay for her children’s birthday parties.
But now she is confused after another mother sent her a bill for her children’s attendance at their birthday party.
The mother, who bears the name of ‘let’s just be realx’ on TikTok, calculated that she would spend around £100 to send her children to this party.
She decided to use TikTok to ask other parents for their opinion by sharing a video of herself talking about the situation.
The mother says: “I’m a pretty extravagant parent. I don’t expect every parent to be as extravagant as I am, but if I’m having a birthday party with lots of activities, I always pay for all the kids, of course.
READ MORE ABOUT BIRTHDAY PARTIES
“This morning I got a WhatsApp message from a certain parent. Her child always comes to my daughters’ birthdays and her child always comes with her brother or sister because that’s the dynamic and the structure that they have.
“I always had the illusion that I had to pay for both children.
“Today this parent sent me the invitation and in it she let us know that the price of the party would be £21 per child and that we had to transfer all of that £21 to her.
“I feel like the ground has been pulled out from under my feet because if I had known that, I could have saved myself a thousand dollars at every birthday party.
“But this is the point where I started to feel uncomfortable and she needs some etiquette and decorum.
“Then she sends us a birthday wish list, with wishes for birthday gifts.”
The mother then explained that she had asked the other parent for her bank account information because she wanted her “daughter to come with me,” because her daughter wanted to come too.
She then explained that after the account details were sent, the mother had sent a wish list of gifts, priced between £30 and £40.
The mother also indicated that this parent has never come to her child’s birthday party with a card or gift.
She continues: “At the moment it costs £100 to attend your child’s birthday party.
What is the etiquette for those who pay for parties?
The Etiquette Man” Jay Remer says, “If you’re going to host, you’re responsible for paying. If you’re not willing to pay, you’re an organizer, whether it’s for yourself or someone else,” he says.
“If you are invited to such a party and there is no mention of a Dutch treat or ticket price, then you can safely assume that the host will cover all costs.”
“Explain the rules. Because the truth is that if I don’t pay for every child on my child’s birthday.
“I can spread the money over the year and then I can make sure they can go to everyone’s birthday.
“But I’m not going to pay for your child to come here and have a great time, and then when it’s my turn, the rules don’t apply anymore.”
“So let me know the rules. One thing that can’t run is one rule for me, and one rule for you.”
The post has since gone viral and has been viewed over 115,700 times, with many people commenting to share their thoughts.
“My point is if you can’t afford your child’s birthday party, then DON’T have it,” one person said.
“If you choose to throw a party for your child you will pay for it!! If you can’t afford it then just invite a few children over for a cup of tea or even a picnic in the park,” added another.
“I’ve never heard of having to pay for your kids’ birthday parties, that’s ridiculous,” said a third.
Then she sends us a birthday wish list, with wishes for birthday gifts
Mother of two
While a fourth joined in, saying: “No, she’s a tramp, normal parents pay for the party and the guests come with a present or a bit of money in a card so it’s actually fine.”
Another parent added: “I was shocked when one of my child’s friends brought his siblings and they both expected a present and a gift… three children, but they had no card, no gift… no message to say ‘we’re short on cash, I’m so sorry.'”
“I can’t afford birthday parties for mine, I have four kids. I can’t afford to have all their friends and stuff go, so I just don’t have any,” one parent added.
“I would never expect anyone to contribute to my child’s party!” said one mother.