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Kids

Mom shares refreshingly real kid's party invitation telling folks to 'lower their expectations'

"This event is brought to you by Pinterest Fails and the Dollar Store, so please set your expectations appropriately.”

kids parties
@not.just.nat/TikTok

This party is gonna slay.

Sure, kids' parties are fun for the kids. But you know who they’re a living hell for? Literally everyone else. Be it the poor mom or dad having to whip up decorations on a dime store budget, food that adheres to all allergies and preferences, and at least one overly expensive bounce house…or the other parents trying to wrangle their sugar-crazed child once the party is over. And let’s not forget the brave souls who arrive as Spider-Man or a Disney Princess and do a whole song and dance for an hour and a half.

And to top it all off, no matter how much effort is put into throwing this shindig, it will pale in comparison to the meticulously curated soirees seen on Pinterest Boards and social media. It’s all enough to make adults dread the entire experience.

However, one mom decided to completely lean into this fact of life with her no-B.S. party invitation, and millions of fellow parents are absolutely loving it.


The invite was posted on TikTok by Nat Lele, whose son brought it home from school. It read as follows:

“Evan, you are invited to [Insert Child’s Name Here] fifth birthday party. This event is brought to you by Pinterest Fails and the Dollar Store, so please set your expectations appropriately.”

Throwing out a ridiculously hodgepodge party theme, based of course on her kid’s random ideas, the invite continued:

“As requested, the theme will be unicorns but with rainbows and maybe bats, but there should be princesses and also Minnie and we need dancing lights so dress accordingly. Please pack a bathing suit, sunscreen, puddle jumpers, etc. in case your sweet baby angels decide our original plan sucks and the pool would be a better time.”

@not.just.nat #greenscreen These are my people. #birthdayparty #partyinvitations #parenting #funny #hilarious #adultjuice ♬ Comedy Music - Nissa

To be honest, a rainbow-unicorn-bat-princess-Minnie dance party by the pool sounds pretty lit.

Most relatable of all, the invite concluded by giving parents themselves a chance to opt out of the party altogether, saying that:

“If you would like to drop off and run, we support that entirely. If you would like to stay, we will provide adult juice and deny any offers to help, to be polite, but deep down, want to support you. You do you.”

Of course, Lele will absolutely be attending, because, as she put it, “These are my people. This is the kind of mom I can be friends with.”

Lele wasn’t the only one who was totally on board with the mystery mom’s refreshingly real approach. The video got over 4.5 million views, over 670,000 likes and oodles of comments from other parents showing their support.

“This is incredible. It’s what we’re all thinking when hosting kids parties 😂,” one person wrote.

Another added, “I’m glad a parent is finally lowering the standards/expectations because I’m done with these Pinterest/IG inspired kid parties 🙌🥳🍹”

Others were excited to see how the party would actually pan out. One person joked that they “Can’t wait to see how everyone interprets ‘dress accordingly.’ Someone better be dressed like a bat princess.”

“PLEASE update us when you attend. I NEED to know how this sick party rolls out,” another added.

Good news: Lele agreed to post a follow-up video showing how the party went. To find out for yourself, follow her on TikTok.

And parents—next time you’re feeling the pressure from your own party planning, remember that brutal honesty is sometimes the best policy.

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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