‘This is why I invite siblings to my children’s birthday parties’
Also invite siblings if you’re hosting a birthday party. “If you can afford it financially, you should do it in my opinion,” she writes on her blog.
Invitation
A few months ago, Wendy’s youngest son turned six. “A week before his party, most of the parents hadn’t responded to our invitation,” she says. ‘That’s why I emailed that the brother or sister of their child could also come along, if that would be easier. I immediately received two emails from parents who registered their children. Both parents would not have been able to send their child to the party otherwise, because they had no childcare.’
Also read:
Sara’s editorial: Kids party stress >
No reception
The party in an indoor playground was a success: the kids had fun, her son didn’t care that there were a few he didn’t know well. And the parents? They were very happy that their other child could also participate. ‘That’s why I decided to invite brothers and sisters from now on too’, says Wendy. ‘After many conversations with friends, I have come to realize that many children miss birthday parties because there is no care for their brother or sister. Their father or mother is single or one of the two has to work on weekends.’
small gesture
According to Wendy, every parent should consider inviting multiple children. ‘Only if that is financially possible, of course,’ she adds. ‘Most parents will still do their best to arrange childcare for their other child. And there will certainly be parents who offer to contribute to the costs, if necessary. What you can also do is look at it on a case-by-case basis: which family can find it difficult to arrange childcare? Only those you send a double invitation.’
Wendy thinks some parents will disagree with her. ‘They think: it’s not my problem that someone else can’t arrange shelter? That’s right. But in a world where we are already so focused on ourselves, it’s not a bad idea to make a difference with a small gesture for a child and his parents.’
