The angst of grown-up social life is as nothing compared to children’s parties

Toby Young on the social pitfalls of your child’s birthday party

I suppose it had to happen. There comes a time in every father’s life when his son’s social activity begins to eclipse his own. I used to find it amusing when Ludo received a stiffy in the morning post. ‘What is it now?’ I’d say, waving the letter about in mock indignation. ‘Another garden party at Buckingham Palace?’ These days, I sneak downstairs before he gets up and root about in the pile of invitations on the doormat, trying to find one that isn’t addressed to him. It wouldn’t be so bad, but the little bugger is only two-and-a-half.

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Katy Balls

How much trouble is Rachel Reeves in?

The reason for this deluge of invitations is that he’s started going to a posh nursery school in west London. He has 16 classmates and whenever one of them has a birthday party it is customary for all the other children to be invited.