Nobody wants their child to miss out on a good time - but sometimes they have to put their foot down out of principle. One mum has been left outraged after being asked to pay for her children to attend a classmate's birthday party.
In two minds about attending the party, the mum has taken to Mumsnet to ask whether she is overacting about the situation. She said: "My sons, aged one and two, have been invited to a birthday party in a couple of weeks' time. It consists of soft play, lunch and handling small animals. I was looking forward to it as although my boys are young, they love soft play and all animals."
The woman went onto explain how the party is taking place at a venue 90 minutes away from her home, so she would need to drive a "fair distance" to make their way there.
"Including fuel and a present, the day is going to cost me the best part of £50," she added.
"I got a phone call today to confirm if we are going and that it would cost £5.50 for each of us - me included - to cover the cost of entry to the place and lunch.
"Now, maybe I'm being old fashioned but when you invite someone to a party, you then don't tell them they have to pay.
"I have been asked to work overtime at work that day and I am tempted to make our excuses although I know the boys would be missing out."
While most users agreed they'd boycott the party, others claimed they would have "bounced out" after learning they'd have to travel for 90 minutes just to get there.
One user said: "I would make excuses 50 is simply too much unless you really really want to go."
Another user added: "You are definitely not being unreasonable. You plan the party you can afford, not what you assume your guests want to pay.
"If she can't stump you all your entry, she should have stuck to a few party games and some sausages on sticks at home. Kids don't mind as long as a fuss is made."
A third user said: "This is very awkward. I have never heard of parents contributing to the cost of another child's birthday party before.
"Do you think the parents of the birthday child actually realise this is being unreasonable? Perhaps they think it is the norm and everyone does it?"
One more user said: "That's really very cheeky of them to put you in a predicament like this. I have never heard of this and think it is actually quite rude of them!
"£50 for a round trip of a few hours for one and two year old. I would use them money for something else for your children on principle!
"If the people that invited you couldn't afford to throw a party, they could have had a more budget one at their home with a few balloons, party food and then not have the cheek to ask people to pay to attend."
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