I hate party planning

[Queasy]

I have to wrangle together 11 different families into something agreeable for an end of the season t-ball party. My first date, time, and activity suggestion just got shot down by two different families.

I hate party planning. I really really do.

<Dante>I wasn't even supposed to be the coach this season!</Dante>

/rant

 

[Newbian]

Well cats are easy if you have enough catnip.

 

[PottedMeat]

Ask for money for the party, stop planning, go to strip club.

 

[Zenmervolt]

When I was a kid, the date was just set and if people couldn't make it, they just didn't get to come. It's not realistic for all the families to expect you to find a date and time that works for everyone. As far as activity suggestions, are cookouts at someone's house somehow no good anymore?

ZV

 

[Barfo]

Originally posted by: Newbian
Well cats are easy if you have enough catnip.

And you can throw them at people who trespass your property.

 

[Slew Foot]

I can see how this is a pain in the ass

Little Johnny cant be near peanut products
Little Billy has celiac disease
Little Abdul cant be near pork and needs to pray at 3pm
Little Bobby needs to take his Ritalin at 7pm and cant be near any stimulation


ugh..

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: Queasy
I have to wrangle together 11 different families into something agreeable for an end of the season t-ball party. My first date, time, and activity suggestion just got shot down by two different families.

I hate party planning. I really really do.

<Dante>I wasn't even supposed to be the coach this season!</Dante>

/rant

If at first you don't succeed, give up. Did you fail all three?

 

[mundane]

Hmm .... a cat circus party. But make them wear tiny tuxedos - that'd be classy.

 

[effowe]

Maybe send out a list of dates and times to all the families, and whichever date the most people can make it will be the winner?

 

[spidey07]

Just name the date and time. If they can't make it then tough luck. Just go get some pizza that way the adults can drink and everybody is happy.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
When I was a kid, the date was just set and if people couldn't make it, they just didn't get to come. It's not realistic for all the families to expect you to find a date and time that works for everyone. As far as activity suggestions, are cookouts at someone's house somehow no good anymore?

ZV

The coaches last season did this but my house and yard really isn't setup to cook out and entertain potentially 30+ people and nobody else has volunteered. So, my suggestion was to go to the pavilion near the ball park and we could cook-out there and let the kids play on the playground equipment.

My family already has two events on Saturday we have to attend so I suggested Sunday. I've now had a fourth of the team say that Sunday is no good so I just sent out another suggesting the following weekend....but of course that is Memorial Day Weekend when nobody is going to be able to attend. ARRRRRRGGHHHH!

 

[dullard]

You are a party planner. So plan it. Pick a date, time, and activity. The rest can take it or leave it.

You are not a census taker, you are not a negotiator, you are not an arbitrator. Don't try to be one. Pick a date, time, and activity that suits you and be done with it.

 

[Casawi]

Can I join the party planning committee? if not I will start my own.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I'd rather herd cats

Me too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_MaJDK3VNE

 

[nanette1985]

I'm very experienced with this. First, the party is the most important part of the season. Send out a notice the minute you get your game schedule that it will be after the game at whatever location you decide. Don't ever ask for advice or "is this day okay".

Second, when you're choosing kids for your team, it is important to choose at least one kid with a big house, a pool, whatever. They get the party.

Third, if you find yourself in your current situation - nothing fixed - delegate. There has to be at least one annoying bossy parent on your team - give the job to them. And make sure to tell everybody that the job has been given to that person.

Fourth, the unwritten rule is that anyone who disagrees with your party plans doesn't come and doesn't have any say in anything. NEVER let someone influence you. You have the power - use it. Even if only one other kid shows up who can't even eat what you're serving, it's still the official end-of-season party, and you send out the party pics to everyone whether they were there or not.

Happy end of season!

 

[Red Squirrel]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

I'd rather herd cats

Me too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_MaJDK3VNE

LOL awesome

And yeah, while I have never done it, I can only imagine how hard party planning must be, or planning of any event for that matter. Sometimes you just have to be firm on a date and say too bad.

 

[MoPHo]

Originally posted by: princess ida
I'm very experienced with this. First, the party is the most important part of the season. Send out a notice the minute you get your game schedule that it will be after the game at whatever location you decide. Don't ever ask for advice or "is this day okay".

Second, when you're choosing kids for your team, it is important to choose at least one kid with a big house, a pool, whatever. They get the party.

Third, if you find yourself in your current situation - nothing fixed - delegate. There has to be at least one annoying bossy parent on your team - give the job to them. And make sure to tell everybody that the job has been given to that person.

Fourth, the unwritten rule is that anyone who disagrees with your party plans doesn't come and doesn't have any say in anything. NEVER let someone influence you. You have the power - use it. Even if only one other kid shows up who can't even eat what you're serving, it's still the official end-of-season party, and you send out the party pics to everyone whether they were there or not.

Happy end of season!

I'm oddly aroused by this stance of dominance...