“Children Weren’t Fed”: Host Enforces RSVP Rule, Sparks Debate After Parents Throw A Fit

Putting together an event, be it a birthday party, a wedding or just a boardgame night takes effort. The least the potential guests can do is comply with any additional instructions or, at the very least, actually tell the host if they plan on showing up at all.

A mom asked the internet if she was wrong after she refused to feed the kids of parents who would not RSVP to her child’s birthday party. Despite frequent requests for them to do that, as the mom was making personalized lunch boxes for each kid, some parents simply showed up, dropped off their child and drove away.

It’s not exactly easy to plan a party when you don’t know how many people will show up

Children at a birthday party looking at a cake, wearing party hats, and surrounded by balloons and decorations.

Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

So one mom ended up unable to feed the kids of parents who refused to RSVP

Text about kids' birthday party with no food due to RSVP issues, mentions bouncy castle and 40 children attending.

Text image discussing party invitations and lack of RSVPs for a birthday event.

Text conversation about RSVPs for a birthday party.

Text detailing a second invite request for RSVPs due to food allergies and individual lunch boxes for a child's party.

Invitation text stating no food without RSVP for kids' party, highlighting RSVP importance.

Text about coordinating extra food for siblings due to lack of RSVPs at a kids' birthday party.

Text discussing challenges with RSVPing for events due to work and contact issues.

Text messages about RSVP confusion for a kid's birthday, parents apologize and confirm attendance, addressing food issue.

Text about kids' party attendance issues due to no RSVP from parents.

Woman looking thoughtfully out the window, sitting in a chair, pondering kids’ party RSVP issues.

Image credits: Wavebreak Media / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Text about kids not being fed at a party due to parents not RSVPing.

Text discussing parents missing events even with RSVP, affecting kids' food situation at a birthday party.

Text describing a school mom's surprise about not providing extra food at a birthday due to no RSVP.

Text explaining why tailored food boxes were chosen over a buffet due to allergies.

Text debate on RSVP responsibility at a kid's birthday, mentioning YABU and YANBU perspectives on food planning.

Image credits: itsmeits

Letting the host know if you are going to show up is important

Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

RSVP’ing to a birthday party your child is invited to might seem like a small courtesy, but it’s actually a big deal for the host. This should really go without saying, but time and time again, stories like this prove that people can just be, at best, lazy and inconsiderate and, at worst, pretty darn entitled. It’s perhaps telling that some of these moms just showed up and drove off, without a word of warning, as if they knew they should have RSVP’d, but, obviously, didn’t. There are hosts that do ultimately ask for too much from guests, but just letting someone know if you will be there is the simplest task.

When parents take the time to plan a party, whether it’s at home, a park, or an event venue, they need to know how many kids are coming so they can prepare. Food, goodie bags, activities, and even seating depend on having an accurate headcount. Not responding leaves the host guessing, which can lead to unnecessary stress, overspending, or not having enough to go around. As the mom said, it’s more than just food, there are allergies, dietary restrictions and even preferences. Eight year old’s can be pretty picky, up to the point of going hungry for an entire day.

Beyond logistics, RSVP’ing also shows basic respect. If someone invites your child, it means they want them there. Not responding at all can feel dismissive, as if the invitation didn’t matter. Even if your child can’t attend, a quick reply lets the host know where things stand and prevents them from holding a spot for someone who isn’t coming. It’s a simple act of consideration that helps everyone involved. These parents didn’t care, even if it meant their kids might not eat, which might be a quintessential example of entitlement.

It’s unfortunate that some kids had to go without meals

Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

Lastly, setting the habit of RSVP’ing teaches kids about responsibility and social etiquette. If they see their parents responding to invitations, they’ll learn that it’s part of being a thoughtful and considerate guest. In a world where people are becoming more last-minute about commitments, taking a few seconds to confirm (or decline) a party invite helps keep things running smoothly and makes life easier for everyone, especially the parents trying to throw a fun celebration.

Some folks did point out that maybe she should have some lunches ready because time and time again, some adults simply prove to be unreliable. After all, the end result is kids not having lunches through no fault of their own. You can’t really expect an eight year old to know to remind their parents to RSVP, much less know what that even means.

Of course, this opens up its own can of worms. What if she did make extra, but the kids couldn’t eat the food provided for one reason or another? What if she made four extra lunches and six unexpected kids showed up? Should two just go hungry? These are quandaries that might be too much to bother with when, ultimately, the parents who didn’t respond are to blame. After all, while the optics aren’t great, it’s important to remember who could have prevented this.

Many readers agreed with her

Comment on parents not RSVPing causing no food for kids at a birthday.

Text message about invites not being acknowledged, leading to issues at a kids' birthday event without RSVP.

Text snippet discussing lack of RSVP for kids' party, resulting in surprise arrival.

Text comment discussing parents' refusal to RSVP, referencing children being upset.

Text discussion about kids missing food at a birthday due to parents not RSVPing.

Text discussion about parents not RSVPing to birthday parties, resulting in no food for kids.

Text comment about kids left with no food due to parents' RSVP refusal at a birthday party.

Comment discussing parents not RSVP'ing to a birthday, mentions entitlement.

Text exchange about RSVP issues for a kid's party, discussing no-shows and last-minute cancellations.

Comment discussing kids left without food at a birthday due to parents not RSVPing.

Comment discussing kids missing out on food at a birthday due to unresponsive parents.

Text discussing kids without food at a birthday due to parents not RSVPing, emphasizing fairness and spare options.

A few thought the kids shouldn’t suffer because their parents are entitled

Comment on food issues at a birthday party due to parents not RSVPing.

Text expressing sadness for kids at a birthday with no food due to parents not RSVPing.

Comment by LunaLove1 discussing birthday party food options.

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