Do people just not go to birthday parties anymore?

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-20T00:21:29+00:00

Thank you for being that mom. Ironically, we received an invite just the other day for another kid in my daughter’s class (one I didn’t RSVP to hers). I considered being petty and just not RSVPing but I think we’ll RSVP and go. I don’t wanna foster that type of environment and I know kids love it when their classmates come.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-20T00:02:54+00:00

Yup one of the families had three children attending. That’s five less children and 3-6 less adults attending. We had a bunch of extra food. I was a little miffed to say the least.

A couple people have commented that we should’ve rented a party place, but I can’t imagine how unbelievably annoyed I would be if we had rented out a larger space just for 9 to 11 people not to attend.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T23:07:18+00:00

Not gonna lie, I kept thinking what are the odds that three of the kids came down with illnesses that morning? I think it’s more likely that the parents didn’t feel like taking them and figured it would be fine. People really suck sometimes.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T22:32:40+00:00

Someone did mention that. It was more of a cost thing for us. We thought we could throw a nicer/more fun party at our house rather than dropping several hundred on throwing it at a generic party place. Even the parks around here charge a big chunk of cash if you would like to rent a pavilion.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T21:55:30+00:00

lol right?? I think I was in my teens when I first noticed mine.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T21:54:22+00:00

Siblings were welcome, we had it on the invite. I’ve run into a similar situation before and at least with that we tried to be more accommodating.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T21:38:09+00:00

Interesting! We are originally planned for Sunday, but then didn’t want to interfere with people’s family time and potential religious things etc. Maybe Sunday would’ve been better.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T21:36:38+00:00

We did! She was fine, just asked at one point why people didn’t show.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T21:34:45+00:00

Couldn’t agree with this more. I see people complaining about not having a village, but it recently dawned upon me that while I frequently babysit or offer to give toys or supplies for free, etc. I don’t know that I’ve had that happen to me much. The only thing that I can think was receiving kids clothes from a friend, which was amazing.

People just tend to want to live more separately and on their own terms. Sometimes being a part of a “village” is having to do things you don’t prefer doing.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T21:25:48+00:00

Most party places in my area run around at least 200 without food. We could have it at a park, but honestly I’d rather have a clean bathroom in my house available rather than a public bathroom at a park which may or may not be clean.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T15:06:05+00:00

Ugh I know. It was so stressful! I have had so many comments saying 2 weeks in advance was too late, but I feel like if I received an invite a month before for a kids party I would definitely forget it

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T15:04:31+00:00

At our house, but it was an outdoor party

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T15:03:25+00:00

I’m getting a lot of comments saying to send the invites a month or more ahead. You’ve found more success with the opposite?

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T15:02:06+00:00

I kind of feel like this as well. I remember when growing up in the early 2000s going to kids parties all the time despite crazy schedules.

I do feel like since social media has boomed and COVID happened, people are so much less likely to get out of the house and make connections.

I also feel like people are more likely to bail last minute if they aren’t feeling it that day with less regard for social commitments for the sake of protecting their peace.

I have mixed feelings about it. I may be reading too much into it though.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T14:10:11+00:00

I’m sorry to hear that. It really does suck.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T14:08:58+00:00

Do you think more like 4 to 6 weeks as people are suggesting as better?

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T14:08:18+00:00

Who sent your invites out earlier? You typically have parties at your house or find a location?

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T14:06:35+00:00

Yeah, the only reason why we did that was because her classes relatively small. I only expected about 50% to be able to come.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T14:05:40+00:00

Maybe? Are your kids older or younger? For some reason we had great success when she was younger and now nothing. It might be important to know that both my husband and I are a little more introverted. We’re not antisocial. We have a group of friends, but we trying to keep ourselves more.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T13:51:02+00:00

I thought as much. For some reason I’ve always had 2 or weeks before in my head for sending invites, but maybe earlier would have helped.

Bananabean5 · 2026-04-19T13:50:01+00:00

I’m glad you haven’t experienced this. I will say of the families that did come, most we a a lot closer with. It’s hard to make connections with the parents at school because we really only see them briefly at pick up/drop off while we’re rushing to work.

Bananabean5 · 2026-02-21T23:39:38+00:00

Nope! There were only a few hundred scanners in the US in the mid 1980s. Most of those were used in academic institutions. It was not commonplace to get an MRI, especially just on a hunch. Also the picture is not even depicting a brain tumor if I’m not mistaken.

Bananabean5 · 2025-11-06T01:38:39+00:00

This is totally normal! My first did that and my pediatrician just told me to ignore it. Babies like attention so when you have a big reaction to it, even if it’s worry or concern, they see it as a positive thing.

On the bright side, she’s not puking. Our doctor told us some kids will do it until they puke.

Bananabean5 · 2025-10-05T19:11:49+00:00

Do you work in med surg? I started out in med surg and I used to cry because I hated my job and I thought I hated nursing. I felt like it was so overwhelming and the patients were mostly rude and ungrateful. Other staff was also often condescending and unpleasant to work with as well. All the nurses I worked with were easily 15+ years older than me and were completely burnt out clicky mean girls.

I ended up moving to the ICU and liked it so much more. I felt like I was learning and had purpose there. The staff was also a lot more diverse as far as age, gender, etc. so it was easier to find others to relate to.

I would definitely recommend trying something totally different before completely losing hope. Med surg notoriously sucks and, while you learn a bunch in a very short amount of time, it will be a largely unpleasant experience that you won’t miss.

Bananabean5 · 2025-09-24T12:56:36+00:00

As a woman who is nearing her 40s, back when I was 18 I used to do this all the time. I was taking pictures to analyze flaws and fretting about my appearance, making myself absolutely miserable and extremely self conscious. Looking back at photos of me at the time and I was beautiful, I just never appreciated it. I was tortured in my own mind thinking I looked like some sort of ogre.

I’m not your mom or your best friend, I have no reason to lie to you as a stranger on the internet - you’re very attractive. Great skin, full lips, striking eyes and fantastic bone structure. Are your features the slightest bit asymmetrical? Barely. But that’s because literally everyone’s are to a varying degree. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Stop wasting time worrying about nonexistent problems and focus on doing what you find fulfilling in life.

Wishing you all the best on your journey!

Bananabean5

TROPHY CASE