I thought of my daughter’s party as I read the story of the UK father who received an invoice for his 5-year-old son Alex’s share of a birthday party that he didn’t attend, despite saying he’d be there. Derek Nash claims that he didn’t realize he’d made other plans for Alex the same day as the friend’s birthday party. When given the choice, Alex decided to bail on the party. Nash says he didn’t let the host know they wouldn’t be there because he didn’t have contact info for her. The party’s host has threatened Nash with legal action if he doesn’t pay the no-show fee, which amounts to about $24.
The story has gone viral, and I’ve seen lots of comments from people online expressing shock that the mom sent the invoice. But I say, “Good for her!” The child didn’t get sick. He decided to do something else, and the father let him. If Nash just didn’t show up for a reservation at a restaurant or for a doctor’s appointment he’d be charged, so why shouldn’t he pay a fee for bailing on a party?
I never heard from the mom whose child missed my daughter’s party. I made the choice to let it go (pun intended), but kudos to the UK mom who spoke up. Sick kids are one thing, but why should a host have to pay for another family’s rude, selfish behavior? So to the mom who sent the invoice, I’ve been there. I can understand why you did that.
Of course, money isn’t the real issue here; the real issue is manners. It’s important for kids to learn about making commitments and following through, as well as being respectful of other people’s time and money. A child can’t learn those lessons from a father who can’t keep his word. Maybe that no-show fee should be looked at as the cost of having bad manners.
What would you have done if you were the party hostess? Weigh in by taking our poll:
[polldaddy poll=8596458]
Photo: Getty
