by Makita Gulley posted in Mom Stories

Facebook groups have been my guilty pleasure lately. In one,  a mom --who was planning her child's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese --wondered if other parents would attend a planned party requesting that you pay for your own children.
About half of those who commented, including myself, said we would opt out of attending. Some said they would attend, but would not buy a present. The others said they would attend because they don't want their child not being included over $13.99. I see the reasoning behind everyone's answers. Once I thought about it, my answer depends on the type of party it is.

 
If it's a planned party, with invitations, that says I am responsible for the payment of my child -- I'm probably not going. I appreciate the heads up as opposed to getting there and finding out at the event that I need to pay. (I have friends who have said this happened to them.) I wouldn't plan a child's party that required parents pay for their kid, so I wouldn't attend one. Obviously when my children are older, if they really want to go, we will. At the moment, they won't miss going to an event that I need to pay for anyways.
As for parties that aren't particularly planned and the invitation is word of mouth, I totally understand why everyone needs to pay for themselves and their kids. For example, I went to birthday that was at a water park. The mom went early enough to secure a space for anyone who would show up. Basically she ...