Kids need to learn to deal with rejection. Yes, it's hard - so is life.

Your first instinct should be to protect yourself and your own family. If you let them stay, you are taking responsibility over two kids you barely know. What if the kids eat something and get sick? If they have a dietary restriction you don't know about? If they get hurt while staying in your property under your supervision? Sorry, but I don't want to be responsible for anybody's children.

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

You are the type of person who enjoys calling CPS for stupid stuff. More than likely those kids next door was probably the same age as the bday kid. Kids at that age are basically allowed to be outside with out their parents. Threatening to call CPS over something like that is pathetic. When there's kids that actually needs their parents call CPS on that abuses their child or on d***s. You would just start drama on those kids and their parents. You must not have kids of your own. If I was bday kids parents, I would just gave em a goodie bag or a cupcake then walk them back home. That right there probably would had satisfy the neighbors kids and parents. Most kids just want a cupcake or a goodie bad especially if their parents are struggling financially. Most middle class ppl and living check to check but makes too much to get help with not having enough food to last. My parents went thru that when I was growing up. Its worse on my kids(16 & 21) and I now than it was with my parents.

Why would you just expect other people to cater for some kids that want a cupcake?

I did not say I'd actually call CPS. I said I'd threaten to. Big difference. A threat can go a very long way in enforcing boundaries with stupid people who don't want to accept them. I am well aware of the laws in my country and where children are and are not allowed to be; I don't need you to tell me. I am a mandated reporter, which means that I know when to call CPS and when not to. But people as stupid as those parents don't know that, which is helpful to nip their rudeness in the bud. My reaction was designed to PROTECT the children from any drama, including the humiliation of being sent away from a party their eejit parents told them they were invited to, and then to set firm boundaries with said eejit parents so they don't pull such a nasty stunt again. I also think you missed the part where I have said that I'd have let the children stay and share in the fun. The blame belongs on the parents; they're the ones who deserve a set-down.

Crotch goblin factories, I'm stealing that.

With parents this obnoxious, of course they do. Hence why I would not want to contribute to those issues. I cannot believe the amount of vitriol in this comment section aimed at people who just didn't want to hurt children's feelings. Apparently now not wanting to punish kids for the sins of their stupid parents means that I care nothing for the people around me. That really doesn't track, but this is the Internet.

I think you're exaggerating the impact this had on these kids. When asked about it, they just said their parents told them to come. The only reason they were whining later was because their parents likely told them they could get some of the birthday treats being served. You are also ignoring the fact that the foods served may have been calculated to feed just so many and no more, and that the neighbor kids may turn out to be allergic to something the LW was serving. You don't just send your kids to the house of someone you aren't close with to eat food that you know nothing about.

I'm not exaggerating the impact things can have on children. This is what I study. You might note that I am placing the blame entirely on the entitled parents who decided to twice humiliate their kids, not on the OP. And in my culture, calculating precise amounts of food and making sure there's ONLY that much is a major faux pas. You are not a good host unless there are leftovers, so I cannot comprehend why anyone would make sure there was just THAT MUCH. What if someone drops a cupcake? What if someone drops their plate? Sorry, that was your food, too bad.... it's ridiculous, especially at a party with children. If you're on a limited budget, you serve simpler food.

@Paulina, I don't think the parents of the uninvited children are from a different culture. I think they are entitled AHs who like to play power games, make others uncomfortable, and make themselves feel like victims. I am saying that those of us who say we would have just let the kids stay and then blasted the rude parents after the fact are from more community-centred and less individualistic backgrounds. I know of no culture where it is appropriate to lie to your kids and tell them that they're welcome somewhere they are not.