Birthday Party Cancellations. Why are people so rude?

My daughter turns 12 on Sunday, so I booked 2 bowling lanes for 8 kids back in March. Invited 7 kids around Easter. All of them accepted and I’ve paid for all their places and made up party bags.

I’ve since had 2 cancellations for a dance competition, which they signed up to AFTER accepting the invitation. One friend even asked me to push the time back so her youngest could come, which I did, and then she immediately said “she can’t come now”.

Today I had another parent text and say sorry but their daughter is going to their dad’s that day. Again, foreseeable. I get home and tell my daughter and she says another friend has cancelled because she’s “busy”. Less than 24hrs notice. And I can’t get a refund.

Only one of the 4 cancellations has offered to pay. Luckily one was replacing one of the dance competition girls, so we’re only 2 down.

I just feel horrible for my daughter. We’re going through a tough time at the moment because my husband and I are getting divorced and he’s chosen not to have any custody. So I’m trying to organise her whole birthday solo, while working full time with a 3hr round commute and my mental health/anxiety is in the toilet. I just want her to have a nice time and her friends are flaking on her.