Trampoline party gets more bouncers
Dear Readers: Because of syndication scheduling, I write and submit my columns two weeks in advance of publication. Due to this time lag, the Q&A’s will not reflect the latest information about the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic we are currently facing.
Dear Amy: I recently hosted a birthday party for my preschool-aged son.
I invited 20 classmates. Sixteen responded “yes.”
At the party, several of the guests brought older siblings that we had never met before. This would not have been an issue if this were a party at home or an outdoor park.
However, we were at a trampoline park where you have to pay $20 per participant. Non-participants (such as parents) are free.
When we received the bill, it showed that we had 27 kids!
I felt it impolite to put on the invitation that only the named guest can participate. Is there a polite way to make sure we’re not paying for siblings we don’t even know when throwing a party at an amusement center?
Tapped Out
Dear Tapped Out: I am assuming that parents also accompanied these very young kiddos — and brought their other children with them, perhaps assuming that you had a group rate.
I shared your question with Gay Cioffi, longtime director of the Little Folks preschool in Washington, DC.
Cioffi responds: “I have been a witness to every possible size and shape of birthday party. Everything from keeping the guest number in line with the age of the child: four-years-old equals four guests (I love that), to an extravaganza with 300 people at the Four Seasons Hotel.
“Because you are dealing with families and young children, you need to expect the unexpected, i.e., a “bug” is going around, and lots of people don’t show up, family members are visiting and join the invitee, or the birthday child is overwhelmed and cries the whole time (most often).
Since young children are not always keen on being dropped off, or if parents are actually invited, you can assume siblings may come too. I don’t think there is a polite way to say you are not paying for siblings. If finances are a concern, next year, I would plan a smaller gathering with room for growth.”