For parents, few things are as exciting as planning a child’s birthday party. After all, when else do you get the chance to throw a Hello Kitty wonderland or a Pokémon paradise?
This dad was looking forward to celebrating his 5-year-old’s big day. But the joy quickly turned to heartbreak when 9 out of 10 of her RSVP’d friends never showed up, without so much as a message. His daughter spent an hour waiting by the window, asking when her friends would arrive.
Shocked and upset, the father turned to Reddit to share what happened. Read the full story below.
The dad was looking forward to celebrating his 5-year-old’s birthday
Image credits: teksomolika (not the actual photo)
But to his shock, most of her friends never showed up
Image credits: MinimumExperience102
Image credits: MinimumExperience102
Parents say planning children’s birthday parties is more stressful than their day job
Giving your child a happy, memorable childhood filled with smiles, milestones, and fun celebrations is something most parents strive for. Within their means, they want to give their kids the very best.
But real life has a way of interfering. Between exhaustion from everyday responsibilities, finding both the time and the money, and the risk of plans going wrong, even the most joyful moments can come with challenges. Unfortunately, that was exactly the case for the father in this story.
When it comes to children’s birthday parties, they often turn out to be far more complicated than they appear. Research by Milano found that 69% of parents actually find planning their kids’ parties more stressful than their day job.
What makes it so nerve-racking? The better question might be—what doesn’t? According to the survey, parents worry about everything from cleaning up and shopping to managing tantrums and even dealing with no-shows, which is all too common.
So it’s no surprise that nearly 8 in 10 parents (78%) admitted they’d gladly hand the planning over to someone else if they could.
Still, it doesn’t always have to be such a hassle. Sweet Celebration Parties shared a few simple tips to take some of the pressure off.
For drinks, they suggest avoiding endless options. Choose one crowd-pleaser, always include water, and save yourself the decision fatigue. For food, there’s no need to go overboard with elaborate tables and platters—most kids are far too busy having fun to eat much anyway.
Entertainment is often one of the biggest stressors, especially with energetic little ones. But even here, simple works. Activities like mini manicures, DIY scrubs, or a classic dance party can keep kids engaged without leaving a giant mess behind.
So children’s parties don’t have to be as stressful as they sometimes feel. And even if things don’t go perfectly, parents—remember you’re doing a great job, and your efforts matter more than you think. But for those who RSVP and then fail to show up? Please, step into someone else’s shoes. You know just how much these moments mean.
The author later shared more details in the comments
Many readers rallied behind the dad and his daughter
While others chimed in with stories of similar experiences
In a follow-up, the man made it clear that his little girl is very loved and cherished
