Do 5-year-olds get a say in what kind of party they get? (ideas, parent)

[planedition]

My son put down a deposit on a party place that has Disney princess parties. This is for a birthday party for his daughter (my granddaughter). This was about 2 months ago. Well now, in the last couple of weeks, my granddaughter has started (tearfully) telling my son that nooooo, she doesn't want a princess party, she wants to have her party at the zoo (which actually is cheaper). But if my son cancels the princess party, he loses a couple hundred dollars of deposit. What should he do?

My opinion is that 5-year-olds do not get a say in such things and he should stick to the original plan (princess party).

[lauramc27]

Well, here is a learning lesson for your son. Don't make definite plans with a 5 year old.

IMO, I would stick to the original plan.

[flyonpa]

Keep the original plan.

[captain_hug99]

At that point, I'd say, "I'm sorry honey, we're having the party at the princess place. You are going to have lots of fun. Would you like to help pick out the cake?"

But as for letting a child have a say, yes they should. If she did have a say earlier, I'd add, "You decided on the princess party before, we paid them money for it and we have to to have the party there now."

[planedition]

Now, truth be told, my son did not originally ASK my granddaughter if she would like to have a princess party. He assumed she would b/c she loves Disney princesses, etc. And I guess he had never even thought that it was REQUIRED to ask a 5-year-old whether XYZ party is OK by him/her. But now apparently she is having a fit??? I have no idea what's going on in her little head. All I know is that I don't think my son should have ever even told her what was going on, what kind of party was planned, and just had whatever party he planned. Now if he sticks to original plan, she's gonna be having tantrums up until party and possibly during, who knows.

I feel so bad for him b/c he planned this party, booked the place, got special princess invites, showed great creativity and planning, etc. and now she is balking.

Jeez/

[DewDropInn]

Loose a couple of hundred dollars because a 5-year old is having a tantrum?

That would SO not happen in my world.

[Kamsack]

I have a 6 yr old and twin 3 yr olds... and yes if a deposit has been made and too late to switch then by all means stick to the original plans. a 5 yr old can change their mind a thousand times. Next time though I would at least consult with the kid before making plans and certainly a deposit to let him/her have an opinion. But after a decision has been made, then it has to stay.

[txtqueen]

He should have asked her first.
you ask them what kind of party they want, write down the ones you can afford, and then have them pick from that list.

I couldnt imagine NOT asking a child what kind of party they wanted, or ideas.
Ask them where they want it, what kind of theme, etc and then do what you want can afford.

You know, saying mommy and daddy can afford at home, the park, jump street or the pool, which one do you like more? And then do you want princess plates or spongebob?

[Katie1]

Keep the planned party BUT Tell her to you will take Her to the zoo as part of her presant Like within a week of the party. Sounds like she just wants to go to the zoo LOL

[Eresh]

If it were my daughter (turning 6 in a few weeks), I would stick to the plan because it's likely that she would change her mind again in two days anyway. They can be such drama queens at this age! Plus, I would have at least asked her opinion about her own birthday party in the first place (unless it was a surprise party). But even if I hadn't asked her first, our motto is, "You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit."