I babysit for a 7 year old boy and he is having a birthday party. Both my girls were invited to his party. The problem is, my girls are 11 and allmost 16. The party will be at a bowling alley with a bunch of other 6 and 7 year olds. My girls really don't want to go because of the age difference. How do I get out of going to this party? Thank you,
T.
Are they invited as guests or as helpers? If as guests then you need no excuses, just a "Sorry, we are unable to come that day." If pressed mumble something about school or sports or busy schedules. But if the mom is inviting them as helpers and makes that clear, maybe she is willing to pay them and they might be inspired to go? Good luck!
When I invite people to my sons party I don't expect them all to show up. Sometimes I feel "obligated" to invite people for one reason or another but don't really expect them to be there. This could be the case.
My son is just getting ready to turn 7 years old. I let him make his own invite list for his friends party and tried to guide him but we still ended up with a large age range. At that age they want to invite those people they spend time with, and he probably spends a good amount of time with your girls.
You could stop by to drop off a card or something and leave quickly, or just simply decline all together and give him a card the next time he's at the house or the time he's at your house before the date. I don't think anyone would be offended by you and the girls not going.
Honestly, rather than looking at it as an age difference issue, might want to think about looking at it as a BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY! WHAT if, the girls actually interacted w/ the other kids, made some "friends" and got more babysitting jobs?
If I were in their shoes, that's EXACTLY what I'd do. How fortunate that the child feels that way about the sitter so ask her to his party. I LOVE playing w/ kids! Don't look at it as a "chore" or something to be avoided, but rather an opportunity for potential business. HAVE FUN and help the younger ones!
To me, it sounds like the parents were being gracious to extend the invitation but probably have no expectations of mandatory attendance. I'd politely decline saying that your schedule is already busy with other commitments (which it very well may be with girls the ages of your daughters).
However, as a Mom, I know I sometimes feel obligated to invite people so their feelings are not hurt by not receiving an invitation - my feelings are never hurt when they can not attend.
My guess is that there's no expectation of a gift, but perhaps a nice thing to do would be to have a card (signed by you and your daughters) and maybe a little recognition of his birthday when you're caring for him.
Good luck! If you're really uncomfortable, you can always stop by the party with your girls long enough to drop off a card/small gift and say that you can't stay because of other obligations.
I think it's appropriate to just say you're sorry, but that you can't make it.
You could just be honest. Politely decline the invitation and explain that due to the age difference you dont think your girls will have fun. If you feel obligated to go, you can always make an appearance without the girls just to "show up" and then excuse yourself. There's no point of going and being miserable. Either that or you guys can go and just get your own lane, and play a game or two by yourselves.
I understand that your older girls don't want to hang around with a bunch of little kids, but I think they were invited because the birthday boy would like them there. It should be about him since it is his birthday and if there isn't a scheduling conflict, I think they should attend for at least a little while. Especially if you watch this little boy on a regular basis, your family could be a big part of his life too.
I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old that have joint birthday parties since their birthdays are 10 days apart. My two brothers (ages 25 & 21) are too cool to hang out at little kids parties too. My 4 year old for the past 3 years has asked why uncles so and so are not there. It is hard to explain when I don't understand it either.
Perhaps your daughters should at least stop by say thank you for inviting me we wanted to tell "so and so" happy birthday" but we cannot stay. Unless they really do have other things to do. Or I would think the Mom invited them because they are your children. So I polite decline would be appropriate. But I do think they might make a fuss for his birthday when at your house for him.
