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No One Came to Her Son’s Party

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A little common courtesy can prevent a whole lot of heartbreak. An Oregon mom posted an important note begging parents to practice a little decency after her son's birthday party ended in tears.

Kristen Layne, the blogger behind Life on Peanut Layne, promised her 9-year-old this would be "his first real party with friends." Mahlon was previously home-schooled before attending public school this year, so the two of them planned a special day with his new classmates. Mahlon's favorite book is Diary of a Wimpy Kid, so they prepared themed invitations, games and a cake.

While Layne never heard back from any of the parents, she assumed some kids would still attend. The same thing had happened with her daughter's party earlier this month. "Nobody seems to RSVP these days," her husband said. "Don't worry, they'll come. Kids love birthday parties." Except, the party came and went - and not one child bothered to show up.

"Words cannot describe the utter and complete devastation that washed over me, my husband and my nearly 70-year-old father, who was almost brought to tears himself," she later wrote on her blog. "Seeing my heartbroken little boy sitting all alone at his brightly decorated, empty party table was more than I could take."

While Layne commiserated with her little boy, she took the opportunity to add an important message to parents everywhere: "It could've all been avoided by a simple RSVP, via phone call, text, email, whatever, etc. I know I will definitely never ignore those four little letters ever again. Parents or caregivers, please, I beg you not to ignore it either."

Her important reminder resonated with moms and dads across the country, including some that endured the same terrible experience. "Sadly I know exactly how you feel," one commenter wrote. "I have a soon-to-be 8-year-old and he as of yet has not had a major birthday party where kids come."

While Mahlon's party was undoubtedly disappointing, his birthday eventually turned around. Word reached Jeff Kinney, the author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, who gave the fan a virtual tour of his office via FaceTime.

I thought this story was really sad. No little kid deserves to be crushed like that. But at the same time I can't help but feel that the parents aren't partly to blame in this. Assuming the kids classmates are showing up just because "kids loves parties" was a mistake. I tend to take no response to an invite as "not coming", not the other way around. Also I hate to say this, but I think it should be considered that maybe the kid's classmates did not want to come, not that their parent's were remiss in properly RSVPing.

The article mentions he was home schooled until recently, maybe his classmates did not know him well enough to want to go. Any way this was really sad. That poor kid, I can't think of anything more devastating to a child than to plan a fun party for himself and his classmates, expecting them to show up and have a blast, and sitting there surrounded by your party decorations waiting for everyone one to come and no one does.

Of course the obvious answer is to exploit his sadness for attention on the internet.

People who don't RSVP to things with an RSVP requested on the invite are terrible people.

Sh*t, next time something sucky happens to me can I get on the news?

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Originally Posted by plastroncafe (Post 1635998)

People who don't RSVP to things with an RSVP requested on the invite are terrible people.

The only thing that keeps me from being one of those terrible people is my wife. And now, this story.

Poor kid.

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Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy (Post 1636003)

The only thing that keeps me from being one of those terrible people is my wife. And now, this story.

Poor kid.

It's weird, I used to be much better at this "emotional labor" stuff when I was coordinating stuff for both me and my roommate. Now that my living situation has changed...it's way harder.

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Originally Posted by plastroncafe (Post 1636011)

It's weird, I used to be much better at this "emotional labor" stuff when I was coordinating stuff for both me and my roommate. Now that my living situation has changed...it's way harder.

My wife is the Clara to my 12th Doctor. She's my carer.

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Originally Posted by snake (Post 1636001)

Sh*t, next time something sucky happens to me can I get on the news?

Right? This is about as newsworthy as "Man Standing in Front of Best Buy Has a Bad Day."

So some kid doesn't have friends, oh well. It happens.

basically as the great Peter Venkman once said **** happens and who you gonna call? Welcome to the real world kid not everybody will be your friend

Poor kid. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

Sucks for the kid, but who the heck is this broad to get this stuff publicized? This stuff happens to people more often than you think. Deal with it. Be an adult and move on. but i guess it's better this way than "No one shows up to sons birthday; Mother goes on shooting rampage"

Well, atleast he has his family.

Why didn't the parents invite other family members?

I can see a modern day version of the mom from Everybody Loves Raymond pulling this kinda crap! Yea it sucks when nobody comes to your birthday party, but hey that stuff happens. Maybe if the kid wasn't such a mama's boy he'd be more popular!

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Originally Posted by Jephael (Post 1636080)

How many people showed up to your parties, Jeph?

I can relate to that kid, never had much friends in school to begin with so no large parties for me either lol. It's really sad to see someone go through like that.

This was clearly the wrong reasoning:

Quote:

While Layne never heard back from any of the parents, she assumed some kids would still attend. The same thing had happened with her daughter's party earlier this month. "Nobody seems to RSVP these days," her husband said. "Don't worry, they'll come. Kids love birthday parties." Except, the party came and went - and not one child bothered to show up.

If not even a low percentage of the total invitations were responded to (at least 20-25%), that should be a clear sign that no one will be coming at all. At least the expectations wouldn't have been high.

Now as to why no one attended? That's a whole different matter altogether.

Haven't we all experienced that at one time during our childhood? The boring, disappointing birthday that was, at most, only with family members and no friends due to being on vacation, just moved to a new neighborhood, friends were all at summer camp except you, was unpopular, etc.? ...That's why family members are important for this aspect of child rearing; to help children deal with, and properly process, the unexpected whimsical blows from society.

I don't like to make a connection to these things but I can't help but wonder if the fact he was home schooled and possibly not exposed to other kids his age was a real factor. I don't want to stereotype home school kids but what if this poor kid just did not have the same social skills or awareness as his peers because he was not exposed to that because he was home schooled. I don't want to offend anyone here who was/is home schooled or home schools their kids themselves, but the article paints a picture of social awkwardness in him that I can't but feel this kids classmates did not like.

The article even mentioned this kid's favorite book was "Diary of a wimpy kid." Before anyone says it I know that just because a kid likes a book series like "Diary of a Wimpy kid" does not mean they are socially awkward or wimpy, but the way this article presents the "picture" it implies a certain social ineptness that may have caused non of the kids he invited to not show up. Just read between the lines. I think the mother is barking up the wrong tree complaining about parent courtesy when it's likely not the whole reason for this ****** situation .

And I just want to say that I know not all kids who are home schooled are going to be socially awkward, but some how I get an overly protective vibe off this boy's mother, that i feel might to have contributed to this boy's current situation he is in.. Some one mentioned "maybe, if he was not such a mama's boy, he would have friends." As harsh and down right dick headed that sentiment is, I feel that it is at least partially accurate here.