Do they have to go to every party?  

I know that some schools stress that it is important to invite the whole class, so that there are no hurt feelings. But it doesn't sound like this is the case for you.
You could make other plans for her that day. Like to go see a relative or something. I know as a grandparent, we always love to see our little ones and hear about their lives! Good luck!

I can relate to this having had my two daughters go through the same thing in the early school years. Many teachers and schools in general have unwritten "rules" now that birthday party invitations may ONLY be handed out if EVERY child in the class is invited. Otherwise, parents have to give out their invitations in other ways -- presumably so no child is hurt or feels left out. Please don't feel obligated for your daughter to attend every party. You're right that it becomes a growing expense! Perhaps let her choose the parties she really wants to go to (at the times that you are willing to put forth the cost for the gift and transportation, etc.) and maybe also gauge by whether or not she has expressed any friendship with the child in question, before the invitation arrived home. Parents, as far as I know, have never been offended and I don't think anyone expects every child invited to attend. As long as you do them the courtesy of replying to the invitation so they know whether or not to expect your daughter, that's really all you should ever feel obligated about :))

i DON'T THINK A LITTLE GIRL HAS GOT any buisness going to a party just for boys. It's nice for your daughter to be popular but think it's being carried a little bit too far. It can be very expensive. I don't think u need to push children , let her be a little girl as long as u can.

At the school where my son attends, if a child wants to have a party out side of school and not invite the whole class, the parent is to bring in the invites and hand them to the teacher and the teacher will give them out at the end of the day, in their take home folders, which is a nice way to do it so no feelings get hurt. Though, my son has been invited to every party, like your child, we pick on which fits in to our schedule. My husband works every other weekend so if a party falls on the weekend he works then I will let my son go because it's not interfering with our family time on the weekends. Don't feel like you have to attend every party. It does start to rack up in cost, and that hassle of it starts to wear me down.

i guess if the one who will celebrate the birthday isn't that close to your daughter then she doesn't really have to go. your daughter is quite popular huh.. explain to her that it costs a lot to be traveling far just to attend those parties. i know she would be so upset but she has to accept that everything's not gonna go her way.

When my girls were young I did not take them to each and every party they got an invite to. I just could not. There were 4 of them and I was a single mom. I just could not afford it. I had to pick and choose the ones they would attend which wasn't easy. There were certain kids whom they were closer to than the others even tho they were friendly with all kids. There wee some kids who would come over for sleep-overs and/or come over after school often. Those were the kids that they'd attend the parties. I also made sure that I kept all the gifts under a certain dollar amount. I don't think any parent would be offended if you didn't go to all of them. Some parents invite the entire class just because they don't want to leave anyone out. It has got to be hard entertaining all those kids at once. Also when it was time for my own kid's parties, they were allowed to invite 5 friends only

hi caragh2608!

i think it is a good thing your daughter is being invited to all these parties. it shows how popular she is and to a certain degree how good she is with her social skills. i say let her decide on the parties that she wants to attend and ask her for reason why she wants to attend/not attend any of these parties. in a way, it provides you an insight into your child's thinking.

about the gifts, you can explain this to your daughter and i'm sure she will understand but do not make it an issue. mention it but don't make it a big deal. you can even compromise with her and tell her that a part of the funds that you will spend to purchase the gift will come out of her allowance. you may also ask your daughter for extra help with the household chores as a condition for her to get permission from you to attend to these parties.

just my thoughts.

cheers!!!

Hi caragh2608. You may just have to decline this invitation being that the expenses of this party is coming out of you very own pocket. I can understand that you don't want to let your daughter miss out on all of the fun. But if it costing you money and breaking your party then you may have to decline. That is a lot of parties to be going to though. If you can't afford it, simply tell the parents of these kids that your daughter may not be able to attend. And if your money is on a budget, just allow your daughter to buy a gift that is cheap. Maybe up to $5.00 gifts or gift certificates.

Haha, I know what you mean because I have 3 younger siblings. It seems that they have a party on every week, and because they are too young for a job, my mum ends up buying presents for them. Also, because ALL of their freinds are going, they absolutely WILL NOT miss a party.

It doesn't matter boy or girls parties and how many of which attended these are little children with adult supervision. Its nice that she is being invited to all these parties,but no she doesn't have to go to each and everyone. Sounds like you may have to just say no. ( I know that word can be so hard sometimes) Just say sorry we have other plans that day and then make a family day or just a mother daughter day and go see a movie or go shopping instead. Your daughter can still give the child a card with a few dollars in it as a present. This way your not running around spending money on gas dropping off and picking up wear and tear on your vehicle etc..... Its an option.