UPDATED, need advice.... Anyone ever have to cancel your child's birthday party?

My second born (10m old) who is NOT the birthday girl has 104 fever, yesterday it was 103. We are obviously treating it, but the doctor said it can take a few days. No other symptoms.

My older DD who just turned 2 is supposed to be celebrated this Saturday. She has been spared so far by the fever gods... however, we have never had one sick and the other escape w/o incident. It's Wednesday and the food (all $400) is ordered, cake order is placed, even Elmo is on order for Saturday. We are expecting about 30 people. She had a high fever w/o other symptoms last year this time and she ended up having a seizure. I'm not suggesting it is impossible that she wouldn't get sick, but what would you all do? Obviously the baby will stay indoors (party is outside) and my mom, DH and I will have to take turns caring for the infant (wish us luck she has been so mushy since getting sick you can't put her down and wish me luck getting DH to break away from the guests). Would you wait and see at this point, would you cancel? If you would wait, till when? I know I'd probably lose a lot of money if I cancel all these things the day of... which, whatever, the kids come first, but if that were the case would you bother rescheduling? I know that sounds "cold" but she's only 2 and we did do a little celebration on her actual birthday with 1 set of grandparents, she blew out a candle and opened gifts. Just don't know if it's "that" important, we can maybe take her to splish splash or sesame place this summer in liu of the party. We are in the process of closing a deal on our home and buying a new one, I wouldn't even know which address to put down. The other option since DD#2 will be 1 in July is to wait till say September and have a big combined party for both of them in the new house where I can actually have people inside and out. At this house I do a "sun dance" everytime I host a party b/c our house is too small for more than 5 people... really, it's pathetic.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. My poor tiny one.

Message edited 5/20/2010 1:10:20 PM.

UPDATE: Advice needed Re: Anyone ever have to cancel your child's birthday party?

DD#2 (again, not the birthday girl) woke up again today with 104.1, we are dosing acetaminiphen and ibuprofen, best we are getting is around a high 101. Now my parent's are both sick too with throat things, they were supposed to help me with DD#2 on Saturday so I could tend to DD#1 who's party it is and of course be the hostess. My mom has a doctor appointment this evening, and my dad has been on antibiotics for about 2 days. She said she'll ask the doctor if it's ok to be around a baby - a sick baby at that.

Again, could use advice. Clearly it is doubtful the little one will be completely fever free for a full 24 hours by the time of the party. #1 keeps getting daytime readings around 99.4ish so no major worries ther so far.

I'm really not sure what to do. The Elmo people called to confirm and I don't know what to tell them. I'm not sure that I can wait till the last minute to cancel and expect any money back. Same goes with the caterer. Elmo - $250 and caterer: $394.

Here's my issues... first is it too risky for the infant being as she is sick to be around so many people? I have been told that with such a high fever it leaves her at risk for secondary infection that her body may be too overwhelmed to handle. She's only 10m old. Kids at the party will generally be no older than 5 years and possibly one teenager. Rest are mostly in their 30's or 60's, 2 people in their 80's.

Second, maybe I'm around too many "germaphobic" types, but I'm not sure it's exactly right of me to hold the party knowing there will be about 10 other kids at my house and a number of morbidly ill seniors. Am I not risking their health as well? I would think that people may be annoyed if I don't let them know in advance that there is a sick child here. I think I'd be pretty irritated if one of my kids got such a high fever knowing a mom knew full well there was a sick child. I have no place to bring DD#2, best I was going to do was put her in the single stroller and take turns with DH and my parent's walking her. Figured the fresh air may do her some good.

What does everyone think?

Re: UPDATED, need advice.... Anyone ever have to cancel your child's birthday party?

It's already Thursday. I would probably cancel. Your kids have a fever today right? So they really should be fever free for 24 hours to be considered "okay". So if they don't have one tomorrow, they might be okay by saturday. But their immune systems are probably low and to risk them being around alot of other people, who might unknowingly have some type of germ, could make them sicker. Plus like you said, you're having all of the kids plus seniors when you know your kids were just sick. Just my 2 cents but I would cancel. Can you do it another weekend?

Re: UPDATED, need advice.... Anyone ever have to cancel your child's birthday party?

Can you postpone to another weekend?

Re: UPDATED, need advice.... Anyone ever have to cancel your child's birthday party?

I would cancel and i like the idea of doing the combo party in the new house in September. I hope ever yon feels better!

Re: UPDATED, need advice.... Anyone ever have to cancel your child's birthday party?

Thank you all. My friend suggested I try for next weekend so I left a message for the Elmo people... if Elmo isn't available, we will deal with our moving situation and then plan a follow up party. I know next weekend probably isn't the best for a last minute party b/c it's Memorial day weekend, but it is what it is. I feel so bad. I'll have half a sheet cake regardless b/c stupid Costco doesn't have a phone in the bakery! I'd feel wierd not picking it up... I mean you don't leave a deposit or anything you just pay for it when you pick it up. I was pretty shocked there's no way to contact anyone. I did try.

I so agree and deep down inside this was my feeling... it's not in my little one's best interest, if her immunity is down we are just asking for trouble. Better for her to be healthy then to move forward. Plus as my friend said, there'd be no way we could pull this off knowing how much stranger anxiety the sick one has to begin with, now my p's are sick and I really needed them to tend to the baby anyway... if they are sick, even remotely, they shouldn't be around a baby with a 104 temp. Yes, she was still with high fever today and as of right now it's still over 101 with meds.