Broaching delicate topic in party invitation

[AnyDream]

Ok, well the invites are nearly ready to go out for DD1's best-ever-party-idea middle-eastern themed birthday party...BUT there's a delicate topic I need to broach.

Because I'm having chemo, I really need to keep away from anyone with coughs or illnesses - even the regular garden-variety colds.

How do you go about saying "please keep your children away if they have any coughs or sniffles" in a way that explains why without being too much information? Most of the parents are people we haven't met before so don't know the situation already.

Ideas???

[Nelle]

Can you just say 'we have a family member with a compromised immune system, so please, if you or your child have even a mild cold, we ask that you give this party a miss'.
Would something like that work?

[[M]umma[M]ia]

Just write down the bottom


PLEASE NOTE - Due to an illness in the family we would prefer if you didnt make an apperance on the day if you or your child is sick. Feel free to call me on *********** to arrange another time we can get together, when your little one is feeling abit better.

[Ginger]

i like what nelle said

eta- or what holly said lol

[krysalyss]

Perhaps don't put it on the invitation itself but pop a little note in the envelope just explaining the situation (ie that you are currently having chemo and so your immune system is a bit low. But could you ask that any children that look like they may be coming down with something are kept at home.) That way you don't feel like you have to word it into one sentence. HTH

[AnyDream]

Thanks for the suggestions. Nelle I like your line. Compromised immune system (enough info without being too specific). Holly I like your suggestion of mentioning another date at the same time, so that it's clear they won't miss out altogether, kwim? DD1's already been talking up the party at school and they're all keen as chips to come. .

I'm going to include it as a separate note to the parents in the same envelope as the invitation addressed to the girls.

[MamaPan]

I think that will work well... party sounds FAB!

[Nelle]

I was just thinking, if you could get the word 'important' in there, then they will know it's something you're serious about, instead of thinking 'ahh well Johnny's cold's not that bad, should be fine'.

[AnyDream]

How about ***IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS*** across the top???

[Nelle]

Well, that gets important in there!

[ubba82]

Good point Nelle.

[Rouge]

What about

***IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS***
We have a family member with a compromised immune system, so please, if you or your child have even a mild cold, we ask that you give this party a miss as even the slightest sniffle could be very dangerous.

???

Great work girls

[Floweryfields]

Can you just say 'we have a family member with a compromised immune system, so please, if you or your child have even a mild cold, we ask that you give this party a miss'.
Would something like that work?

Yep, that sounds good to me.

[Floweryfields]

Yep, that sounds good to me.

You probably will need to be prepared not to have many people come to the party - if I were to receive an invite with that on it, I would feel extra obligated to ensure I wasn't giving someone an illness - meaning if I thought my child had a chance of a sniffle, I wouldn't let her go.

Might be an idea to prepare your DD just incase she thinks people don't like her.

[Patooties]

Hiya Md
Perhaps if you can let everyone know also, that you haven't got anything contagious! They might be worried about sending their child to a party where someone has a compromised immune system. (you know what people are like these days )

[Trillian]

And if you are doing loot bags for the girls, if any of them can't come, send the treat bag to school with H to give to them so they don't feel like they missed out altogether.